Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by a lack of sufficient blood clotting proteins. It is a rare, genetic disorder. When people with hemophilia get an injury or even a small cut, they will bleed more than the average person, because their blood doesn’t clot properly. Hemophiliacs, the term used to describe those afflicted, also go through periods of internal bleeding, and that is where the real danger lies. Episodes of internal bleeding over a long period of time, can cause long term damage to joints and organs, even the brain. In rare instances, one single episode of deep bleeding inside the body can have the same effect. The disorder can also be life-threatening in certain situations.
1. Joint pain
Joint pain is very common for sufferers of hemophilia, and the resulting joint disease is the most common complication. Bleeding occurs in the joint space, not only after injury, but sometimes for no obvious reason. The flow of blood into the cavity causes pressure and severe pain, that leads to arthritis and deformity in some cases. The main joints normally affected are the ankles, knees, and elbows. Damage can occur after many instances of bleeding into the same joint, or just one. The probability of joint bleeding increases after just one episode. The damage that accumulates in a joint over a long period of time, or after a single major incident, occurs in the cartilage around the bones and the connective tissue.
2. Bleeding
People suffering from hemophilia lack sufficient blood-clotting proteins, so they can experience excessive bleeding from a cut or injury, as their blood doesn’t clot normally. Many people with the disorder also experience internal bleeding, that may, at times, cause irreparable damage to their tissues, joints, and organs. Among the symptoms and signs of a bleeding disorder like hemophilia are easy bruising, bleeding gums, heavy bleeding from small cuts or dental work, unexplained nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding into joints, and excessive bleeding following surgery. Some instances of bleeding should be addressed immediately, as it may cause more serious conditions, including some that may be life-threatening.
3. Blood in stool
Although bleeding in the intestines is not common for people with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, it should be taken very seriously if it happens. Blood in stools can be caused by many different conditions such as hemorrhoids and polyps in the rectum, but should be checked and treated right away because the bleeding itself can be dangerous for people with a bleeding disorder. If you are passing bloody or black stools, you may be having a gastrointestinal bleed. You should contact your doctor as soon as possible if you notice blood in your stool or bleeding from your rectum. Loss of too much blood from gastrointestinal bleeding can cause can anemia or shock.
4. Blood in urine
The urinary tract is another area of the body where people with hemophilia experience internal bleeding. This area includes your kidneys, bladder, and urethra. The bleeding can be caused by an injury, or it can happen for no apparent reason. Your physician will need to pinpoint the location of the bleeding, as the course of treatment may differ. Bleeding from the bladder area is normally due to infection, while the cause of kidney bleeds are usually unknown. If you experience pain in your lower back and your urine is light colored or bright red, you may be experiencing a urinary tract bleed. Contact your doctor if you notice blood in your urine.
5. Bruising
Bruising, especially being easily bruised, is a fairly common symptom of hemophilia. The bruises may appear to be multi-colored with a knot located right in the middle. Bruises can be one of the first signs of hemophilia in infants; they usually appear when they’re aged anywhere between six to ten months. Unexplained bruising will appear on individuals with the disorder, in various locations, and is sometimes excessive in cases of hemophilia type A. Parents of children with the disorder are often subject to disapproving stares, because of the appearance, location and severity of the bruising. Treatment isn’t necessary for bruising, but ice can be placed on the area to slow the bleeding under the skin.
6. Heavy periods
Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most common symptoms of women with hemophilia. Heavy periods are a sign of a bleeding disorder, but many women may not seek treatment, or doctors might not detect the connection. It is often diagnosed as menorrhagia, as it’s fairly common among women going through certain stages in life where they experience hormonal shifts. Women that have heavy periods may experience anemia and will feel tired and fatigued. In addition, your period may be more painful than usual. This may affect your quality of life; your work, as well as social activities, will more than likely be affected.
7. Internal bleeding
Internal bleeding is of greater concern to hemophiliacs than the average person because their blood does not clot, so they can bleed much longer after injuries. Deep internal bleeding can bring about pain, damage to tissues and internal organs, and may become life threatening in some cases. Internal bleeding that takes place in deep muscle can cause swelling in the limbs. People with hemophilia can also have internal bleeding without any obvious cause, such as an injury. Many hemophiliacs suffer from internal bleeding in their joints, which causes inflammation and pain, and sometimes causes long term damage such as arthritis and deformity.
8. Nosebleed
Frequent nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, are a main symptom of hemophilia. Nosebleeds occur when the blood vessels inside the nose get broken by environmental or physical irritants, such as dry air, picking your nose, sneezing, nose blowing, or an injury. Certain treatments for really bad nosebleeds are not recommended for people with hemopholia, as it can exacerbate the problem. These include packing of the nose and cauterization. In severe cases of hemophilia, an infusion made up of either plasma or a genetically engineered substance called recombinant, may be required. In addition, losing a lot of blood from nosebleeds can lead to anemia.
9. Swollen joint
Swollen joints are very common for those suffering with hemophilia. The knees, ankles, and elbows are usually more affected than other joints. Bleeding into the space around the joints can occur after a wound, or sometimes for no evident reason. The blood flow fills the joint cavity and causes pressure and a lot of pain. Damage to the joint can occur after one serious occurrence or repeated episodes of bleeding into the same joint. Joint disease is the most common complication of hemophilia, and can lead to deformity in some cases. The harm is similar to what occurs when joints are damaged by arthritis. The damage takes place in the connective tissue and cartilage surrounding the bones.
10. Prolonged periods
The period of time for most women’s monthly menstruation is normally between two to seven days. Prolonged menstrual bleeding is often thought of as normal, especially when it occurs later in life, during pre-menopause or menopause, when a lot of women’s cycles are irregular. It is usually diagnosed as menorrhagia, which is the occurrence of heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding. What most women are not aware of is that prolonged periods are one of the most common symptoms of bleeding disorders, like hemophilia. As a result, many women suffer through years of chronic fatigue, “accidents” in public places, and calling out from work more frequently because of extreme pain. Some women have even had hysterectomies because of an undiagnosed bleeding disorder.
