Hemophilia

Overview

This is a disorder of the blood. With it, your blood doesn't clot the way it should. If you get cut or have an internal injury, you can bleed for a long time. That's very dangerous.

Causes

Most often, hemophilia is inherited. It's a problem with your genes. But in some people, it's an acquired disease. It happens when something causes the immune system to attack the blood. With hemophilia, your blood is missing some proteins we call "clotting factors." These help seal injuries in your blood vessels. Without enough clotting factors, injuries can cause you to bleed uncontrollably.

Symptoms

If you have hemophilia, you bleed very easily. Even a small cut can cause heavy bleeding. You may bleed a lot when you lose a tooth. You may get nosebleeds. An internal injury can cause big bruises, or blood in your urine or stool. You may also tend to bleed in your joints. This causes joint pain and swelling. And head injuries can be very dangerous for you, because they can cause bleeding in your brain.

Treatment

Hemophilia can't be cured, but it can be managed. You need to take extra care with your wounds. If you're having a bleeding episode, you can be given the clotting factor you are missing with an IV. You may benefit from medications and hormone injections. And, if you have joint pain, physical therapy can help. Your doctor will create a care plan that's right for you.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.