Hemophilia

Hemophilia is an uncommon disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. The blood contains specialized proteins called clotting factors which help stop bleeding. People with hemophilia have low levels of these proteins, leading to excessive bleeding and longer than normal bleeding times after an injury.

Those with hemophilia might suffer from the mild, moderate, or severe form of this genetic disease based on the levels of their coagulation factors. The lower the coagulation factor levels are, the worse the condition will be. Mild hemophilia causes prolonged bleeding, while its moderate and severe forms can lead to internal bleeding episodes, which may be fatal. 

It is crucial that family members of those affected by hemophilia are able to detect symptoms of hemophilia and seek treatment .

Symptoms of the disease vary based on the severity of the condition, but they are manageable with the right hemophilia medications. Common signs of hemophilia include:

• Frequent or difficult to stop nosebleeds
• Prolonged bleeding
• Spontaneous bleeding 
• Painful or swollen joints due to bleeding within them 
• Bleeding in the gums or mouth
• Large and deep bruising
• Blood in the urine or stool
• Pain and swelling in the joint 
• Unexplained and excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries
• Unusual bleeding after surgery, dental work, and vaccination
• Bleeding into the brain in severe cases accompanied by painful headaches and lethargy

There are no known cures for this condition. However, hemophilia symptoms can be reduced with proper treatment and specialized care.

Two main types of treatment include:

• On-demand treatment: Treatment is given in response to an episode of prolonged bleeding. Those with mild hemophilia are candidates for this treatment.
• Preventive treatment: Hemophilia medications are used to increase the blood’s clotting factors. Those with moderate to severe hemophilia are ideal candidates for clotting factor replacement therapy.

If your body rejects treatments by developing inhibitors, you might need other forms of therapy. These alternative treatments can be more costly. The most crucial point with hemophilia symptoms and treatments is to visit specialists regularly to keep the disease under control.

Along with specialized treatments, painkillers might be necessary to alleviate the pain associated with the disease. However, you should stay away from over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen, as they can interfere with blood clotting. Drugs known as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) should also be avoided because they can cause upper GI bleeding.

Treatment options are available to help improve symptoms that are associated with hemophilia. There are some symptoms that may require treatment right away. These symptoms are: 

• Blurred or double vision 
• Continuous bleeding from an injury 
• Neck pain 
• Severe headache that will not go away 
• Vomiting repeatedly

With AmeriPharma Specialty Care’s home infusion services, you can perform your factor therapy at home to manage your hemophilia. We are a URAC-accredited specialty infusion pharmacy, providing convenient treatments and hard-to-find hemophilia medications to people in over 35 U.S. states. 

Our full-service coordination includes copay assistance and insurance approvals to reduce the cost of your treatments. You will receive your medications in discreet packaging and have 24/7 access to our team of specialists to answer any of your questions. Contact us if you are suffering from the symptoms of hemophilia and receive the best treatment at home.