Understanding Hemophilia: Recognizing Symptoms and Treatment Options

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder where the blood fails to clot properly, causing prolonged bleeding after injuries. It stems from a deficiency of clotting proteins, making even minor cuts potentially dangerous if severe injuries occur. Early detection of symptoms is crucial to managing the condition effectively.

Signs of External Bleeding
Individuals with hemophilia may experience bleeding from cuts, bites, or injuries, often losing more blood than typical. Unexpected bleeding from small wounds or the mouth is common.

Affected individuals might notice:

Bleeding from cuts, bites, or dental injuries that seem excessive.

Persistent bleeding from minor injuries.

Bleeding that resumes after briefly stopping.

Signs of Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding poses serious health risks and requires prompt attention. Symptoms may include:

Blood appearing in stool, indicating gastrointestinal bleeding.

Blood in urine from kidney or bladder bleeding.

Large, painful bruises resulting from bleeding into large muscles.

Joint Bleeding in Hemophilia
Bleeding often occurs inside joints like elbows or knees, sometimes without clear injury. Initial signs include stiffness, swelling, and difficulty moving, which, if untreated, can damage the joint.

Internal bleeding in the brain is a severe complication, potentially caused by minor head trauma. Symptoms include severe headaches, neck stiffness, dizziness, vomiting, and vision issues.

Treatment options include medications such as AFSTYLA®, a recombinant clotting factor used to prevent and control bleeding episodes in both children and adults. It is administered twice weekly to provide long-lasting protection against bleeding.