What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hemophilia?
The major signs and symptoms of hemophilia are
excessive bleeding and easy bruising.
Excessive Bleeding
The extent of bleeding depends on the type and
severity of the hemophilia. Children with mild hemophilia may not have symptoms
until they have excessive bleeding from a dental procedure, an accident, or
surgery. Males with severe hemophilia may bleed heavily after circumcision.
Bleeding can be obvious (external bleeding) or hidden within the body (internal
bleeding).
Signs of excessive external bleeding include:
- Bleeding in the mouth from a cut or bite or from
cutting or losing a tooth
- Nosebleeds for no obvious reason
- Heavy bleeding from a minor cut
- Bleeding from a cut that resumes after stopping
for a short time
Signs of internal bleeding include blood in the
urine (from bleeding in the kidneys or bladder) and blood in the stool (from
bleeding in the intestines or stomach).
Bleeding in the Joints
Bleeding in the knees, elbows, or other joints is
another common form of internal bleeding in people with hemophilia. This can
occur without obvious injury. At first, this bleeding causes tightness in the
joint with no real pain or any visible signs of bleeding. The joint then
becomes swollen, hot to touch, and painful to bend.
Swelling continues as bleeding continues, and
eventually movement in the joint is temporarily lost. Pain can be severe. Joint
bleeding that isnt quickly treated can permanently damage the joint.
Bleeding in the Brain
Internal bleeding in the brain is a very serious
complication of hemophilia that can happen after a simple bump on the head or a
more serious injury. The signs and symptoms of bleeding in the brain
include:
- Long-lasting painful headaches or neck pain or
stiffness
- Repeated vomiting
- Changes in behavior or being very sleepy
- Sudden weakness or clumsiness of the arms or legs
or difficulty walking
- Double vision
- Convulsions or seizures
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