Hemoglobin is the substance in your red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen, and thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder marked by lower levels of hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells than normal in your body. These characteristics may result in anemia, which makes you feel tired.
You can take steps on your own to manage fatigue, such as making a healthy diet and exercising frequently. If you have a mild form of thalassemia, you may not need treatment; however, if you have a more severe form of the disorder, you may require regular blood transfusions.
CausesThe mutations associated with thalassemia are passed from parents to children and are found in the DNA of the cells that produce hemoglobin, the component of your red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout your body.
Anemia is a condition in which there are insufficient red blood cells in your blood to carry oxygen to your tissues, leaving you feeling exhausted. Anemia is brought on by thalassemia, which interferes with the normal production of hemoglobin and healthy red blood cells.
Types of thalassemia
The number of gene mutations you inherit from your parents and the part of the hemoglobin molecule that is mutated determine the type of thalassemia you have; the more mutated genes, the more severe your thalassemia; and the alpha and beta parts of the hemoglobin molecule, which can be mutated, determine the type of thalassemia you have.
Alpha-thalassemia
You receive two genes from each of your parents, and a total of four genes are required to create the alpha hemoglobin chain.
1 mutated gene,Thalassemia won’t show any outward signs or symptoms in you, but you are a carrier and can infect your offspring with it.
2 mutated genes,This condition, also known as alpha-thalassemia trait, will have mild signs and symptoms of thalassemia.
3 mutated genes,You’ll experience mild to severe symptoms and signs.
4 mutated genes.Rarely, a child born with this condition may be treated with transfusions and a stem cell transplant, which is also known as a bone marrow transplant. Affected fetuses have severe anemia and typically are stillborn. Babies born with this condition frequently pass away soon after birth or require lifelong transfusion therapy.
Thalassemia minor
You receive one gene from each of your parents, and these two genes work together to create the beta hemoglobin chain.
1 mutated gene,This condition, also known as beta-thalassemia or thalassemia minor, will cause mild signs and symptoms in you.
2 mutated genes,Babies born with two mutated beta hemoglobin genes typically are healthy at birth but develop signs and symptoms within the first two years of life; this condition is known as thalassemia major, or Cooley anemia.
The following list of thalassemia symptoms is not exhaustive.
· Fatigue
· Weakness
· Pale or yellowish skin
· Facial bone deformities
· Slow growth
· Abdominal swelling
· Dark urine
The signs and symptoms you experience depend on the type and severity of your condition. There are several types of thalassemia, including alpha-thalassemia, thalassemia intermedia, and Cooley anemia. Some babies show signs and symptoms of thalassemia at birth, while others may develop them during the first two years of life. Some individuals who have only one affected hemoglobin gene don’t experience any thalassemia symptoms.
You are more likely to develop thalassemia if you have one or more of the following risk factors:
Family history of thalassemia.If your family has a history of thalassemia, you may be at a higher risk of developing the condition. Thalassemia is a genetic condition caused by mutated hemoglobin genes that is passed from parents to children.
Certain ancestry.African-Americans and those with Mediterranean and Southeast Asian ancestry are the groups most frequently affected by thalassemia.
Complications-Thalassemia may result in the following complications:
Iron overload.Too much iron can harm your heart, liver, and endocrine system, which includes the hormone-producing glands that control processes throughout your body, in people with thalassemia, whether from the condition or from frequent blood transfusions.
Infection.If you have had your spleen removed or have thalassemia, you are more likely to contract an infection.
The following issues can develop in people with severe thalassemia:
Bone deformities.Thalassemia can cause your bone marrow to expand, which widens your bones and can lead to abnormal bone structure, particularly in your face and skull, as well as thin, brittle bones that are more prone to breaking, which increases the risk of broken bones.
Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).Thalassemia frequently involves the destruction of a large number of red blood cells, which makes your spleen enlarge and work harder than normal. Splenomegaly can exacerbate anemia and shorten the lifespan of red blood cells that have been transfused. If your spleen becomes too large, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it (splenectomy). The spleen aids your body in fighting infection and filters unwanted material, such as old or damaged blood cells.
Slowed growth rates.Both thalassemia and anemia can slow a child’s growth and postpone puberty, respectively.
Heart problems.Severe thalassemia may be accompanied by heart issues, including congestive heart failure and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
There are many effective medicines available in homoeopathy for treating thalassemia, but the choice depends on the patient’s individuality, taking into account the mental and physical health of the patient. Homoeopathy is a rapidly expanding system that is currently used throughout the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels
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