Yes, it is possible to have hemophilia and not know it. Hemophilia is an inherited condition, meaning that it is passed down from parent to child. If a person has a close relative with hemophilia, they may have the genetic mutation that causes the condition even if they show no symptoms.
In some cases, the mutation can be passed down for several generations without the person realizing it is there. Furthermore, mild cases of hemophilia may not cause any symptoms. People with mild cases may not even know that they have the condition.
It is important to note, however, that even mild cases of hemophilia can pose a risk when bleeding occurs. People should always speak to their doctor if they have a family history of hemophilia and are concerned they may have the condition.
Can hemophilia go undiagnosed?
Yes, hemophilia can go undiagnosed. This is because hemophilia can often be known as a “silent disease” since it does not present with obvious signs or symptoms in many cases. In some cases, it may appear that the person is only bruising more easily than normal, but without an excessive amount of bleeding.
Typically, the signs and symptoms of hemophilia start to become more obvious in late childhood or early adulthood, when more strenuous activities—such as physical play, sports, and exercise—begin to put more stress on the person’s joints and muscles.
It is estimated that up to a third of people with hemophilia are undiagnosed, as they are unaware of their risk, or that they are not receiving appropriate medical attention. Diagnosis usually requires a blood test to test levels of clotting proteins (clotting factors) in the blood.
Because many people with hemophilia may not experience significant symptoms until they are older, they may go through life undiagnosed and unknowingly at risk of bleeding during the activities of daily living or during surgery or trauma.
If you or someone you know is experiencing increased bruising with minimal trauma, or if there is a family history of hemophilia, it is important to discuss this with your doctor and ask for a blood test to check for the condition.
Can hemophilia show up later in life?
Yes, hemophilia can show up later in life. Although hemophilia is usually a hereditary disorder, some cases occur because of a spontaneous gene mutation. This means it can occur in people without family history of hemophilia.
For example, in older adults, the gene defect that causes the disorder may be too mild to cause any bleeding symptoms in childhood but may become more prominent later in life. Women who are carriers of the hemophilia gene can develop symptoms of the disorder later in life due to hormonal changes.
Hemophilia symptoms may appear later in adults if they have had surgery or an injury that caused severe enough bleeding; the disorder that was dormant may reveal itself as an inability to stop the bleeding.
These adults may experience excessive bleeding with seemingly minor cuts and/or bruising, long-lasting nosebleeds, or excessive and prolonged bleeding during dental procedures or surgery.
Most adults with hemophilia do not experience any symptoms before they are tested and diagnosed. If you have family members with hemophilia or have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to see your doctor for assessment, testing and diagnosis.
What happens if you leave hemophilia untreated?
If hemophilia is left untreated, serious complications can occur. This can include excessive or prolonged bleeding, joint damage, and life-threatening conditions. Excessive bleeding can occur after minor surgery, dental procedures, or even after a simple fall or bump.
Prolonged bleeding from cuts or abrasions can occur, as well as nosebleeds and bleeding in the mouth that won’t stop. Joint damage can happen because of untreated and recurrent bleeding into the joints.
This can lead to arthritis and chronic pain and can eventually lead to a loss of mobility. Life-threatening emergencies can arise if a person with hemophilia has significant bleeding within the brain or chest, or if the blood is unable to clot to stop the bleeding.
This type of situation requires immediate medical attention and treatment with clotting factor concentrates. Without treatment, a person with hemophilia could suffer severe consequences, disability, and even death.
Can you have a mild case of hemophilia?
Yes, you can have a mild case of hemophilia. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. People with mild hemophilia may have prolonged bleeding or bruising following an injury, surgery, or dental procedures.
However, their bleeding may not be severe enough to require treatment or it may be easily controlled with treatment. The severity of hemophilia is measured by how much clotting factor is in the blood.
People with mild hemophilia typically have 5 to 40 percent of the normal amount of clotting factor VIII or IX. People with severe hemophilia usually have less than 1 percent of the normal amount. Treatment for mild hemophilia involves careful management of bleeding episodes and may include giving clotting factor concentrates intravenously.
Prophylaxis, which means giving clotting factor on a routine basis, is often recommended to help prevent bleeding episodes.
How do you rule out hemophilia?
To rule out hemophilia, a healthcare provider may order a number of tests. These tests may include a complete blood count (CBC), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and genetic testing.
A CBC measures the number of red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin, and can tell if the blood clotting system is functioning normally. PT and aPTT tests measure how fast the blood clots and if the blood’s clotting products are acting normally, respectively.
Genetic testing looks for changes in the genes associated with hemophilia.
The healthcare provider may also order a family history if their patient has a family history or if they want to rule out hemophilia in family members. A family history of bleeding problems or hemophilia-related conditions such as anemia, joint swelling, and recurrent bruises before the age of two, can help diagnose the disorder.
Finally, hemophilia can only be definitively ruled out through a combination of the tests mentioned above. If all the tests are negative, it is extremely unlikely that the patient is suffering from hemophilia.
What does a hemophilia bleed feel like?
Hemophilia bleeds can feel like a dull ache, throbbing or burning sensation. Sudden swelling can be one of the first signs of a bleed. An affected joint may become swollen, hot and tender to the touch.
Depending on the severity of your condition, a person may feel absolutely nothing at all upon a bleed. However, a person may also experience a sharp and sudden pain shooting from the area, followed by a warm throbbing sensation.
Other common symptoms experienced with a hemophilia bleed includes numbness, restricted mobility, and tightness in the joint.
What is the average lifespan of a hemophiliac?
The average lifespan of a hemophiliac depends on the type of hemophilia they have, their access to adequate care, and their overall health. People with severe hemophilia A or B may have a life expectancy of 50 to 60 years and could require plasma treatments to help control their bleeding episodes throughout their lifespan.
People with mild or moderate symptoms may have a much longer life expectancy and may not require treatment as frequently. Early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and lifestyle management can all significantly help manage hemophiliac symptoms, potentially extending their life expectancy.
Does hemophilia get worse with age?
No, hemophilia does not get worse with age. Hemophilia is an inherited disorder that affects the body’s ability to form blood clots. People with hemophilia have lower than normal levels of certain proteins in their blood, called clotting factors, which are essential for clotting.
As these clotting factors decline with age, the severity of hemophilia does not worsen. In fact, the condition may even become less severe in some cases. As the body replaces worn-out clotting factor proteins with newer versions, it can help to improve the ability of a person’s blood to clot.
This can lessen the risk of spontaneous bleeding in people with hemophilia. Although the severity of the condition does not get worse with age, it is important for people with hemophilia to remain under the care of a hemophilia treatment center as they age, to ensure they are receiving the best possible care and to monitor any changes in their condition.
Are there different levels of hemophilia?
Yes, there are different levels of hemophilia. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder, in which the body’s ability to create blood clots is impaired or lacking. This can lead to abnormal bleeding, which can cause joint damage, muscle and tissue damage, anemia, and other medical problems.
Hemophilia is divided into two main types – hemophilia A and B.
Hemophilia A is the most common type and is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor VIII. People with mild hemophilia A may have 5-40% of the normal clotting factor, moderately severe hemophilia A may have 1-5%, and severe hemophilia A may have 0-1% of the normal clotting factor.
Hemophilia B is less common than hemophilia A and is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor IX. People with mild hemophilia B may have 5-40% of normal clotting factor, moderately severe hemophilia B may have 1-5%, and severe hemophilia B may have 0-1% of the normal clotting factor.
People with mild or moderate hemophilia may have few symptoms, while those with severe hemophilia may have frequent episodes of bleeding. Those with mild and moderate hemophilia may require medical treatment only when they have a surgery or an injury.
Those with severe hemophilia may require routine infusions of factor concentrates to help their blood to clot and prevent bleeding episodes.
How common is mild hemophilia?
Mild hemophilia is relatively common, affecting 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 people worldwide. In the US, approximately 25% of all people with hemophilia have the mild form. While the exact prevalence is difficult to accurately determine, estimates suggest that around 1 in 10,000 males are born with mild hemophilia.
Mild hemophilia is caused by small mutations or deficiencies in the F8 or F9 genes, which control production of the proteins required for blood clotting. This type of hemophilia is not the same as more severe forms, and is characterized by more mild and less frequent bleeding episodes.
Affected individuals may not experience any symptoms at all, or may have only mild bleeding. In some cases, mild hemophilia can only be diagnosed when complications arise from events such as surgery or dental work.
Mild hemophilia is currently treated with regular clotting factor infusions or injectable treatments to stop bleeding. In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain activities or sports, may be recommended to prevent bleeding episodes.
What are the symptoms of mild hemophilia?
The symptoms of mild hemophilia vary from person to person, but in general, individuals with mild hemophilia may experience bleeding episodes that go on for longer periods of time than typical. This may include prolonged bleeding from minor cuts or scratches, increased bruising, and internal bleeding from trauma or surgery that isn’t related to clotting problems.
In addition, individuals may have frequent nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding from the mouth, and the presence of large or deep bruises for no apparent reason. Others may experience excessive bleeding after dental work or heavy menstrual periods.
Males may have problems with hemorrhoids or bleeding in their urinary tract. Symptoms may become more severe with age, as the amount of clotting factor in the blood decreases. In some cases, individuals with mild hemophilia may not show any symptoms at all.
Does hemophilia show up on blood test?
Yes, hemophilia can show up on a blood test. The most common type of blood test used to diagnose hemophilia is a coagulation test, also known as a clotting factor test. This type of test measures the amount of clotting factors VIII and IX in the blood.
A low level of either factor can indicate hemophilia. Other types of tests that may be used to diagnose hemophilia include a genetic test, a specialized ultrasound, and a test for bleeding time. In rare cases, a liver biopsy may be needed to diagnose hemophilia if no other test results are conclusive.
When do hemophilia symptoms start?
Hemophilia symptoms usually start in the first few months of life, but in some cases can remain undetected until later in life. The most common signs of hemophilia are excessive bleeding and bruising, which may be seen as early as infancy.
Other signs include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, joint pain, and easy fatigability. Prolonged bleeding from cuts, and excessive bleeding after a dental procedure, surgery, or medical or dental procedures, can also be signs of the condition.
In the case of milder forms of the condition, the symptoms may not be noticed until later in life, after a major injury or surgery.
What are the first signs of internal bleeding?
The first signs of internal bleeding are often not easy to spot and can present differently depending on the area of the body affected. Common signs of internal bleeding include:
• Pain or tenderness
• Weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Unexplained, severe fatigue
• Cold, clammy, or pale skin, especially on the extremities
• Unexplained and excessive bruising
• Unexplained and sudden weight loss
• Unexplained and excessive vomiting
• Unexplained and excessive nosebleeds
• Swelling in the abdominal area
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Unusual pain in the chest, head, or back
• Unexplained changes in mental status (confusion, restlessness, agitation, slurred speech, etc.)
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening and can lead to complications such as shock, organ damage, and death.
