What is it?
All parents dream to get best for their kid and do their extreme efforts for it. But sometimes, they pass some deadly disorder to their kids without even it being in their knowledge. Thalassemia is one of them. It is an inherited blood disorder characterized by less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells in the body than normal. This situation may cause anemia too. If the person has mild thalassemia, he may not need treatment. But if the more severe form of the disorder is diagnosed the sufferer may need regular blood transfusions which is a problem in itself.
Symptoms:
Several types of this evil are ruling on the planet, including alpha-thalassemia, thalassemia intermedia, and Cooley anemia. The signs and symptoms depend on the type and severity of the condition. Some babies show signs and symptoms of thalassemia at birth, while others may develop them later.
Some people who have only one affected hemoglobin gene don’t experience any thalassemia symptoms but their child will be born with the disease. Main symptoms of this blood abnormality include;
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- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Facial bone deformities
- Slow growth
- Abdominal swelling
- Dark urine
Causes:
Thalassemia is caused by mutations in the DNA of specific cells that make hemoglobin. The mutations associated with thalassemia are passed from parents to children. You can be aware of this bad situation before the baby’s birth. To have a gynecological ultrasound, find the best radiologist in Karachi via Marham.pk.
Treatment:
It is a defect which takes birth with the victim, it’s hard to fight against it but it’s not impossible. It is treated according to the severity.
Mild Thalassemia:
Signs and symptoms are usually mild with thalassemia minor. It is treated with blood transfusion and excess iron removal, as it may happen in result of excessive blood transfusion.
Moderate to Severe Thalassemia:
Treatments for moderate to severe thalassemia are neither a simple nor a one day plan. It may go for lifelong. Frequent blood transfusions are required. Stem cell transplant is the only permanent solution.
Self Management:
As this inherited disorder, sometimes stays for a long duration of time. So with treatment self-management strategies will make the situation is easy. The following tips will help:
- Avoid excess iron
- Eat a healthy diet
- Avoid infections and injuries
Thalassemia patients need excessive blood, if you are healthy, donate blood to save life.
