Hemophilia is a condition that is sometimes known as free bleeding. The health issue is present when an individual lacks the proper proteins to cause blood to clot efficiently. There are a number of signs and symptoms of hemophilia that are common in people of all ages and genders who suffer with this disease.
One of the more common symptoms of hemophilia has to do with the presence of bruises on the body. While everyone experiences bruising at one time or another, people with hemophilia will find that the bruising tends to be deep and somewhat pronounced, even if the incident that led to the bruise was somewhat minor. The bruises are also likely to take much longer to fade, even after the initial soreness begins to subside.
The physical symptoms of hemophilia also include the presence of joint pain and swelling for no apparent reason. The pain and swelling may be triggered by something as simple as barking the shin on a table or desk. Bruises often accompany the swelling as well.
Frequent nosebleeds that seem to occur without a reason are another example of the physical symptoms of hemophilia. The nosebleeds may commence when the individual is going about the normal daily routine, and does not require any contact to the nose or any part of the body. Bleeding may continue for some time then suddenly subside, leaving the individual feeling drained and possibly with some aching in the jaw and neck areas.
Prolonged periods of bleeding due to cuts and abrasions of any kind are also indicative of the presence of hemophilia. It is not unusual for people to discover they are free bleeders after sustaining a cut during a fall or some other type of accident. Because the bleeding takes longer to subside, the individual may be left with a strong sense of fatigue, a headache, and possibly a great deal of neck pain.
Since hemophilia can be inherited, it is always wise for expectant parents to have the unborn child tested. Should the tests indicate that the fetus does exhibit some symptoms of hemophilia, steps can be taken to prepare for the possibility of bleeding at the time of birth and shortly thereafter. For parents who are expecting a boy, confirmation that the child is a hemophiliac may play a role in determining whether the child should be circumcised.
There are also symptoms of hemophilia that indicate the need for immediate medical attention. Should double vision occur along with a bleeding episode, see a doctor immediately. Sudden pain in the joints, accompanied by swelling and a sense of heat in knees or hips requires immediate assistance. Bleeding accompanied by regurgitation and episodes of dry heaving also indicate a severe situation that should be addressed as quickly as possible.
