Can Haemophilia be cured?

Haemophilia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. Its incidence is about 1 per 10,000 birth.It is caused when blood does not have enough clotting factors. A clotting factor is a protein that controls bleeding. There are many clotting factors in the blood. Classical Hemophilia is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII clotting factor. Christmas Disease (Hemophilia) is caused due to deficiency of factor IX.

At present, there is no cure available for haemophilia. Research is being done to find a cure for the same. However, the inadequacy of a cure does not mean that a haemophilia patient cannot be managed with medication. With the right precautions and medical assistance, patients suffering from haemophilia can live a normal life.

Aspects to be noted in Hemophilia:

• Keep a check on the bleeding episodes – The bleeding episodes (“bleeds”) may occur spontaneously in joints muscles, brain etc. Bleeding may be triggered by internal issues, injury or surgery.
• Type of haemophilia – Hemophilia is divided into mild, moderate or severe depending on the level of clotting factors in the blood. In mild haemophilia care usually, no intervention is required.In Moderate episodes of bleeding, clotting factor treatment are give. In severe bleeding episodes, prophylactic treatment is given to prevent bleeds. In severe cases twice or thrice a week infusion of clotting factor is given to minimize the likelihood of bleeding and prevent long-term joint damage.
• Role of a Prophylactic – With moderate haemophilia, cases of bleeding are rare, so the principal goal of the prophylactic is to effectively convert a patient with severe haemophilia and administer the clotting factors regularly.
• Opt for the right sources for help – many governments, NGO, Voluntary and social organizations help Hemophilia patients to get the medication.
• Get the patient trained – As the treatment involves regular injections patient may be trained to inject the prophylactic themselves.
• Opt for the right sports – Hemophilia patients should avoid contact reports. Swimming is the recommended exercise.
• Keep a check on your medicines – Patient also needs to avoid medication which interferes with clotting of blood, for example, aspirin and ibuprofen. Hemophilia patient needs to also have good oral hygiene.