We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Involved in Making a Diagnosis of Hemophilia?

By H. Lo
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,523
Share

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder in which a person experiences prolonged bleeding because he is missing or lacking a blood clotting factor. Diagnosis of hemophilia generally involves a blood test that reveals the absence or deficiency of the specific clotting factor. Depending on the missing factor, a person might have hemophilia A, B, C or von Willebrand disease. Usually, diagnosis of hemophilia follows an awareness of a family history of the condition or someone exhibiting symptoms of the disorder.

Typically an inherited disorder, hemophilia mostly affects men, although women can be carriers of the gene. If there is a known family history of hemophilia, an expectant mother can opt to have a prenatal test to aid in the potential diagnosis of hemophilia in the fetus. Hemophilia itself can be mild or severe. A person with a mild case of the disorder might not exhibit many signs, so a diagnosis of hemophilia might occur only after a surgery or trauma causes excessive bleeding. For a person with severe hemophilia, diagnosis might occur earlier, as he might consistently exhibit signs and symptoms of the disorder.

The main symptom of hemophilia is bleeding. Whether the bleeding is external or internal, if it is easily-obtained, prolonged or unexplained, it might be an indicator of the disorder. For example, a person with hemophilia might experience persistent nosebleeds or have many bruises. In addition, internal bleeding can also cause blood to fill a person’s joint spaces, resulting in joint inflammation and pain. Also, prolonged bleeding following an injury or surgery can be a sign of hemophilia, and other symptoms include double vision, intense fatigue and painful headache.

While some symptoms, such as nosebleeds, might not demand immediate medical attention, there are serious complications that can arise from hemophilia. Examples of serious complications include bleeding associated with the abdominal area, as well as the head and neck. These complications can be life-threatening and, thus, a person who experiences them should seek emergency medical attention. Without proper treatment of hemophilia, severe bleeding can lead to death.

Even though there is no cure for hemophilia, treatment options enable those who have the disorder to live normal lives. To maintain a mild case of hemophilia, a person might need to have desmopressin (DDAVP) injections. For a severe case, a person might require clotting factor infusions. In the case of hemophilia C, treatment might involve plasma infusions.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-involved-in-making-a-diagnosis-of-hemophilia.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.