However, this could not be treated owing to technological constraints. An anticoagulant was commonly used to treat a disease that was rampant among royal families at the time; however, the anticoagulant thins the blood and worsens the condition.
In 1803, Dr. John Conrad Otto of Philadelphia began researching “bleeders,” who eventually concluded that the disease was passed down from mothers to sons. In 1937, hemophilia was classified as a type A or B genetic disorder. However, effective treatment had yet to be developed up to that point.
What is Hemophilia?
Hemophilia is a rare severe, inherited hemorrhagic disorder, hemophilia is caused by the malfunction of factors required for blood clotting such as VIII and factor IX protein, leading to abnormal bleeding.
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Although people of all races and ethnicities can be diagnosed with hemophilia, men are more affected. This is because the inheritance is linked to the X chromosome and there is more chance that the mother of haemophilia affected boy will also carry the disease trait. Hence, hemophilia is more common in males, even though it can affect females causing difficulties with menstruation and childbirth.
Fast Facts About This Rare Blood Disease: Hemophilia
- There are three different types of hemophilia: hemophilia A, B, and C. It is determined by the clotting factor the person is deficient in.
- The more deficient in the clotting factor a person is, the more severe their hemophilia will be.
- There is no cure for hemophilia but with preventative treatment, people can live normal, healthy lives.
- Hemophilia C is considered less serious than A and B, and bleeds tend to occur following surgical or dental procedures. People with hemophilia C do not need regular clotting factor IVs.
- Hemophilia A and B are carried on the X chromosome so affect boys more than girls, but females can be carriers of the disease. Hemophilia C affects males and females equally.
- The disease is usually detected early in life, with severe cases usually diagnosed within a month and mild cases within the infant’s first 18 months.
- Complications from hemophilia include joint pain, arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, and cranial hemorrhaging.
Importance of World Haemophilia Day
The number of people affected by hemophilia seems to rising throughout the world. A recent analysis showed that around 11.25 lakh men are suffering from this inherited bleeding condition. Even with a such rate of incidence, only 15% of the affected people have access to treatment.
Lack of knowledge about this uncommon but severe ailment is only causing a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Hence, it is important to create awareness about this condition through various campaigns. World Hemophilia Day provides such opportunities.
It also helps raise funds that go into researching this condition. As a result, we can learn how to manage it better. World Hemophilia Day makes it possible for people living with this condition to connect and enables the rest of the world to show support.
This year being its 31st anniversary, most of the activities focus on encouraging the people to push the government and policymakers to create better treatment, prevention, and control of bleeds in persons suffering from bleeding disorders.
Theme For World Hemophilia Day 2023
World Hemophilia Day 2023 Theme is “Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds as the Global Standard of Care“, urges local authorities and healthcare policymakers to highlight the prevention, protection, and availability of effective treatment care to all the persons affected by hemophilia (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
National Hemophilia Foundation
Go to source
).
This means the implementation of home-based treatment as well as a prophylactic treatment to help those individuals have a better quality of life.
How to Raise Awareness About Hemophilia
To join the conversation on social media, use the hashtags #WorldHemophiliaDay #WHD2023 #LightItUpRed. Download our World Hemophilia Day Facebook banner or Facebook frame here (click on “Social media tools”) and light yourself up red.
Wear something red at home and share a selfie on social media. Challenge your co-workers or schoolmates to post a picture of themselves wearing red for the day – or post a picture collage of everyone in your organization wearing red. Post pictures of landmarks you see lit up in red on social media (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Haemophilia Foundation Australia. World Hemophilia Day 2023
Go to source).
Like, share, and retweet WFH Hemophilia Day-related posts on social media. Share the World Hemophilia Day official poster and resources on your website or through social media.
References :
- World Federation of Hemophilia. Everything you need for World Hemophilia Day 2023 – (https://wfh.org/article/everything-you-need-for-world-hemophilia-day-2023/)
- National Hemophilia Foundation – (https://www.hemophilia.org/bleeding-disorders-a-z/types/hemophilia-a)
- Haemophilia Foundation Australia. World Hemophilia Day 2023 – (https://www.haemophilia.org.au/events-and-conferences/event-listing/world-haemophilia-day-2023)
Source: Medindia
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