World Hemophilia Day : Useful Tips For Hemophilia Survivors

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There are quite a number of afflictions that affect humans in varying degrees of seriousness.

Many of the disorders come with a known cure and are easily treatable, whereas others are not curable, but their symptoms could be controlled.

Curable or not, a disease is a disease and it hampers a person's life to a great extent.

Haemophilia is one such genetic condition that is very serious. This is a blood-related disorder, in which the blood cells lose their ability to clot, resulting in excessive bleeding and thinning of the blood.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disorder, but with healthy lifestyle changes and precaution, its symptoms can be treated effectively.

Some of the symptoms of Haemophilia include excessive bleeding, internal bleeding, patient getting bruised easily, nose bleeds, swollen joints, wounds that do not heal normally, etc.

Haemophilia is a serious disorder that requires medical attention. The treatment for this genetic disorder includes platelets infusion through regular blood transfusions, oral medications that aid in normal blood clotting, medications to control bleeding, etc.

On the occasion of the World Haemophilia Day (April 17th), let us see how Haemophilia survivors can improve the quality of their lives by following certain tips.

Tip 1:

A patient suffering from Haemophilia must maintain a healthy body weight, as it helps him/her to remain healthier and reduce the risk of other diseases, which may complicate matters further. Being overweight or underweight is not advisable.

Tip 2:

Maintain a fitness routine, which ranges from light to moderate, after consulting with your physician about it. Indulging in intense physical workouts may not be a good idea, as the risk of getting bruised or wounded is much higher.

Tip 3:

Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and calories, as they take longer to digest and use up a lot of energy and lead to digestive problems. It is essential for the patients to remain energised as much as possible.

Tip 4:

Try to consume foods that are rich in vitamin K, as this vitamin is rich in a chemical called prothrombin, which aids in the normal blood clotting functionality. Foods like spinach, oats, broccoli, soybeans, whole wheat bread, etc, are known to be packed with vitamin K.

Tip 5:

Doctors advice Haemophilia survivors to consume foods that are rich in calcium, or take calcium supplements, as calcium is known to aid in the platelet formation and blood clotting, along with strengthening the bones. Dairy products, soy milk, etc, can be made a part of the patient's diet.

Tip 6:

Foods rich in vitamin C can also be added to the diet, as vitamin C helps in making the immune system more strong, thereby making the patient less susceptible to other diseases like common cold, flu, allergies, etc, which may aggravate Haemophilia symptoms. Fruits such as orange, pineapple, strawberries, grapes, etc, are rich in vitamin C.

Tip 7:

Another important nutrient that can be made a crucial part of the patient's diet is iron. Iron is the main element that promotes the production of healthy red blood cells and haemoglobin, which is necessary to treat blood disorders. Meat, fish, legumes, nuts, etc, are rich in iron content.

Tip 8:

Maintain an 'Infusion Log', in which the patient records the time and date of the last blood/platelet infusion, so that it becomes easier for him/her to plan the next one. A note on the amount of blood transferred, medications taken, etc, can also be included.

Tip 9:

Make sure that the patient does not have to deal with the disorder alone. The support of friends and family members is important during such times. The patients could be prone to depression, so it is crucial to make them feel loved.