Hemophilia is a hereditary condition. It is a bleeding disorder in which blood fails to clot normally. People suffering with hemophilia bleeds more and for longer duration after injury thus leading to internal bleeding. There are two main types of hemophilia categorized as follows:

• Type A, caused by a lack of factor VIII, protein that help blood to form clots. Type A cases are severe
• Type B hemophilia, caused by a deficiency of factor IX

How common is it?

It is a rare disorder. It can occur in people of all races, and ethnic origins. Around 18,000 people have been diagnosed. 400 new born are born affected with hemophilia every year. 9 out of 10 have type A hemophilia.

What are its Symptoms?

The symptoms of Hemophilia differ from people to people. They vary depending upon the whether the person has severe, moderate or mild form. The most common symptoms of Hemophilia are as follows:

1. Bleeding into joints
2. Bleeding in soft tissues and muscles
3. Bleeding in the mouth from a cut, bitten tongue or loss of a tooth (especially in children)
4. Blood in the urine (hematuria)
5. Surface bruising
6. Bleeding in brain leading to Long-lasting, painful headaches or neck pain or vomiting

How it is diagnosed?

If you have or show any symptoms of hemophilia, doctor will gather information about the family’s history and medical condition and then perform blood tests to find out how much factor VIII or factor IX is present in your blood. These tests will show what type of hemophilia a person as and whether it is severe, moderate, or mild counting on the clotting factors in blood.

How is it treated?

Hemophilia is treated replacement therapy, giving or replacing of clotting factors that are either low or absent in hemophilia patients. In replacement therapy, the clotting factors are injected in patient’s vein. Mild hemophilia patients do not need to have replacement therapy unless they are undergoing surgery. In severe cases of hemophilia, treatment is given to stop bleeding whenever it occurs as they are more likely to have serious bleeding problems. Replacement therapy reduces or prevents joint or muscle damage that are caused by internal bleeding.

People with the mild or moderate hemophilia type A can be treated with desmopressin (DDAVP). DDAVP is given as a preventive measure to a person before they undergo any dental work or performs in sports. DDAVP is not efficient for people living with type B hemophilia or severe hemophilia type A. Here, a medical bracelet especially a hemophilia bracelet also comes to your rescue. It won’t treat your hemophilia but it will alert people around you that you are being treated of a medical condition. It will help medical experts get you the best possible treatment in tough situations.