1. Home
2. Blogs

World Haemophilia Day 2024: A 10-Point Survival Guide For Haemophilia Patients

• 
• 
• 
• 0
• 0

Haemophilia is a rare hereditary condition in which the blood fails to clot properly due to a lack of key clotting proteins. This makes it difficult for persons with haemophilia to stop bleeding, even after minor injuries. Although there’s no cure for this disease as it is passed down from generation to generation, there are several treatments through which the bleeding episode can be managed.

To honour the people of Haemophilia, every year on April 17, World Haemophilia Day is celebrated, which was started by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). This year’s theme is ‘Equitable access for all: Recognising all bleeding disorders,’ ensuring that haemophilia patients can access the treatments and support they require to live full and healthy lives. Haemophilia, whether type A, B, or C, puts a great strain on your mental and financial condition. An easy way out of this is always opting for health insurance which covers genetic disorders like haemophilia.

Causes of Haemophilia

Most cases of haemophilia are hereditary. A faulty gene on the X chromosome mostly causes haemophilia. Everyone has two sex chromosomes, one from each parent. Females inherit the X chromosome from their mother and the X chromosome from their father. Males inherit the X chromosome from their mothers and the Y chromosome from their fathers. This suggests that haemophilia almost exclusively affects boys and is passed down from mother to son via one of the mother’s genes. Some people develop haemophilia despite having no family history of the disease. This is referred to as acquired haemophilia. Acquired haemophilia is when the immune system attacks blood clotting factors 8 or 9.

10 Survival Tips

To reduce the danger of bleeding episodes and complications, haemophilia patients must be carefully managed and use proactive techniques. Here are some survival tips for haemophilia patients to lead a happy life.

1. Go for an Annual Checkup

People with haemophilia should visit their nearest Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) at least once a year for an overall checkup that covers the type of therapy, dosage, and frequency, with modifications according to their weight, bleeding patterns, or other considerations. According to research, patients with haemophilia who receive an annual examination at an HTC have better long-term health outcomes.

2. Careful Vaccine Administration

To reduce muscle haemorrhage, children and adults with haemophilia should get scheduled immunisations subcutaneously rather than intramuscularly. If intramuscular injection is the only option, put an ice pack on the location 5 minutes before injection and maintain pressure for at least 10 minutes to decrease bleeding.

3. Stay Active Safely

Consistent physical activity is critical for maintaining muscle strength, joint flexibility, and overall health. Low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, and cycling are less likely to result in injuries or bleeding. Always wear protective equipment such as helmets or padding when participating in sports or recreational activities.

4. Have an Emergency Plan For Severe Bleeding

It is good to keep a haemophilia emergency kit easily accessible at home, in your car, and while travelling. According to WFH, patients with haemophilia should be evaluated immediately and not kept waiting in emergency departments, even for less significant problems.

5. Get Hepatitis Vaccinations

As haemophilia patients require regular blood transfusions, the danger of transmitting blood-borne infections such as hepatitis A or B is increased. As a shield against this, haemophilia patients should be vaccinated against hepatitis after consulting with their doctor.

6. Prioritise Joint Health

Protecting your joints is essential for reducing the risk of bleeding and avoiding long-term consequences like joint damage or arthritis. To maintain flexibility and range of motion, avoid activities that strain your joints too much and do gentle stretching exercises instead.

7. Get Tested for Blood-borne Infections

Blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B and C, increase the risk of problems in someone with a blood condition. The sooner a person with haemophilia becomes aware of a dangerous blood infection, the faster they can obtain treatment.

8. Maintain a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is essential for general health and healing. You should consume foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Also, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can raise the risk of bleeding.

9. Opt for Health Insurance

The medical expense of treating a rare disease like haemophilia is expensive. It is always advisable to opt for health insurance to increase access to healthcare, protect patients of haemophilia from financial hardship, manage the high costs associated with treatment, encourage preventative care and early intervention, and improve general well-being and quality of life.

10. Create a Safe Environment

Creating a safe environment for people with haemophilia is quite essential, as bleeding is quite risky. Therefore, remove any potential risks, such as sharp objects or slick surfaces, and take safety measures to reduce the risk of getting injured or bleeding.

Conclusion

Haemophilia is a genetic condition; you can’t prevent it. However, you can safely adhere to various clotting treatments to help deal with haemophilia. People with haemophilia require frequent visits to doctors throughout their lives. The severity and type of haemophilia determine the type and frequency of treatment. Remember, with good disease management, bleeding prevention measures, and access to appropriate care and treatments, persons with haemophilia can lead healthy, happy lives. On World Haemophilia Day and every day, let us stand in solidarity with the haemophilia community by campaigning for understanding, support, inclusion, and happines

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

RELATED ARTICLES

Here is Everything You Need to Know about Haemophilia

Rare Diseases: Why Is It Important To Raise Awareness?

Albinism: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What Is a Seizure? How To Help Someone Having a Seizure?

---

• 
• 
• 
•