Did you know when blood doesn’t clot properly, it can lead to excessive bleeding, both internally and externally? Clotting is crucial to stop bleeding after you suffer an injury but when blood doesn’t clott, it can cause even minor cuts to bleed profusely. This can become fatal in case of internal injury where internal bleeding can lead to serious complications. One common cause of poor clotting is haemophilia, a genetic disorder where the body lacks certain clotting factors. This World Hemophilia Day, let’s understand more about this condition and how it can be prevented from Dr Gagan Saini, Vice Chairman- Radiation Oncology at Yashoda Medicity.
What is Hemophilia?
“Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by deficiencies in specific clotting factors, primarily factor VIII (Hemophilia A) or factor IX (Hemophilia B). These factors are essential for the blood clotting process, which helps stop bleeding after injury. The deficiency results from a mutation in the genes responsible for producing these factors, leading to reduced or absent functional protein. Therefore, individuals with hemophilia may experience spontaneous bleeding, particularly in joints and muscles,” shares Dr Saini.
Potential complications due to poor blood clotting?
The deficiency (in hemophilia) in clotting factors in their blood, leading to a range of complications. While manageable with proper treatment, haemophilia can lead to several serious complications if not carefully controlled. This can include spontaneous bleeding, excessive bleeding after injuries or surgery, and potentially life-threatening complications like bleeding into the brain.
Also Read: Expert Explains How Early Diagnosis Improves Life Expectancy In People With Haemophilia
Here are some of the risks as told by Dr Saini:
- Internal Bleeding: As mentioned earlier, hemophilia can cause internal bleeding that goes unnoticed. This occurs mainly in joints and continuous bleeding can trigger swelling, chronic pain and permanent damage to the joints which may develop into arthritis. Additionally , muscle bleeding can affect nerves causing weakness and numbness.
- Bleeding in the brain: This can be life-threatening. The initial symptoms of brain bleed include persistent headache, confusion, vomiting, loss of concentration and seizures, in the worst case. Thus, immediate medical attention is paramount.
- Inhibitors: These are antibodies that obstruct treatment and recovery. People with hemophilia or poor blood clotting may not show effective results due to inhibitors. Thus, regular monitoring and prompt treatment help minimise these risks.
Precautions to be taken
Dr Saini suggests people with hemophilia should take precautions to prevent excessive bleeding and protect their joints. This includes:
- choosing low-impact activities
- avoiding certain medications like aspirin and NSAIDs
- maintaining good dental hygiene.
Besides, they should also wear protective gear during sports and activities, and consult with their doctor or physical therapist about appropriate activities and safety equipment.
Summing up, poor blood clotting can be fatal if not attended on time. Pay attention to any unusual symtpoms and report to a doctor immediately to avert any critical complications.