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Key Points
- Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder that
causes excessive bleeding and easy bruising. Hemophilia almost always occurs in
males.
- If you have hemophilia, you have little to none
of certain clotting factors, which are proteins that help blood clot. Thus, it
can take a long time for your blood to clot after an injury or accident.
Bleeding also often occurs internally, especially in the joints.
- There are two main types of hemophilia: A and B.
People with hemophilia A have low levels of clotting factor VIII (8) or are
missing it altogether. People with hemophilia B have low levels of clotting
factor IX (9) or are missing it altogether.
- Hemophilia is usually caused by a defect in one
of the genes that determine how the body makes certain blood-clotting factors.
The genes are located on the X chromosomes, which determine whether a baby is a
boy or girl.
- To diagnose hemophilia, your doctor will take a
personal and family medical history, do a physical exam, and order blood tests.
The tests will show whether you have a bleeding problem, whether it’s due
to hemophilia or another cause, and how severe the disorder is.
- The main treatment for hemophilia is injecting
the low or missing clotting factors directly into the bloodstream. This is
called replacement therapy.
- Replacement therapy sometimes can be given on a
long-term basis to prevent bleeding. People with severe hemophilia are more
likely to receive this type of preventive replacement therapy.
- Replacement therapy also can be given as needed
to stop bleeding when it occurs. This therapy is more common for people with
milder hemophilia.
- Early treatment for bleeding is important to
prevent or limit damage to joints, muscles, or other parts of the body.
- Replacement therapy is often done at home. Home
treatment has many benefits, but being trained to do home treatments properly
and safely is important.
- Physical activity is important for children and
adults. Talk with your doctor about the type of activity that’s best for
you or for your child and what to do to prevent injuries.
- Hemophilia treatment centers are located in many areas of the
United States. These centers can provide treatment, education, and support to
hemophilia patients, their families, and their health care providers.
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Living
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