Thalassemia is a succeeded or an inherited blood disease that affects the production of haemoglobin in the human body. As a result, when a body is diagnosed with Cooley’s Anemia blood disorder, it affects the haemoglobin which is an important part of red blood cells and responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and facilitating the return transport of carbon dioxide. Moreover, when there is a lack of haemoglobin in the human body, the red blood cells fail to function and only a few red blood cells are left that flow in the bloodstream. The shortage of red blood cells weakens the human body and as a result, a person suffers from early anaemia which lasts throughout life.
According to a report, 10,000 children in India are born with this deadly blood disorder every year. The percentage approximately results in 10% of the total world incidence affected by Cooley’s Anemia. It is sad to witness that there are around 42 million people who carry the Beta-Thalassemia trait and only 1 in 8 Thalassemia carriers survive in India.
Do you know what causes Thalassemia?
The alteration in the DNA of cells that helps to produce haemoglobin consisting of two different types of proteins called as alpha-globin and beta-globin. People who lack the genes for alpha-globin experience alpha thalassemia, whereas people who lack the genes for beta-globin experience beta thalassemia.
The two types of thalassemia are as follows:
Although the type-wise Cooley’s Anemia is categorized as Alpha and Beta, it is important to understand the symptoms of each and divide it into major and minor diseases.
- Thalassemia Major- As mentioned previously, thalassemia is a disorder inherited by parents to the next generation. In the case of major blood disease, the person inherits the defective genes from both parents. People who get affected by major thalassemia are at risk of developing the symptoms.
- Thalassemia Minor- In such circumstances, an individual develops this blood disorder from a single parent. Hopefully, the person develops mild symptoms.
What symptoms would indicate thalassemia?
People with thalassemia experience identical signs of severe anaemia, which are typically anticipated in childhood. Additionally, a person may experience appetite loss, persistent jaundice, liver, and heart disease. A person with amenia has fatigue and begins to feel weak, similar to other disorders.
The signs are as follows:
-A child’s delayed growth and development
-Cold hands and feet
-Illness brought on by anaemia
-Repeated Jaundice
-Respiratory problems and dark urine
Thalassemia symptoms can also be discovered by looking for the condition that has been passed down through your family generation after generation.
Survival With Thalassemia
Thalassemia is extremely difficult to prevent because it is transferred from parents to children. On the other hand, people with mild issues may not require any special treatment but the person facing moderate and major thalassemia has to undergo treatment. Some of the treatment options are mentioned below-
Recurring Blood- This process involves the transfusion of blood on a weekly or monthly basis. It is done to keep healthy red blood cells active in the body.
Chelation Therapy- This process involves the removal of excess iron present in the blood. The build-up of iron in the body damages the immune system of the human body.
Stem Cell Transplant- Healthy stem cells are given to a patient during a technique known as stem cell transplantation (SCT), often known as a bone marrow transplant. Additionally , transfusions and medications to lower iron excess can be eliminated with a stem cell transplant.
Besides all the treatment optitFollow these steps to live healthy with Thalassemia
- Avoid consumption of iron pills.
- Take supplements only after consulting your doctor.
- Wash your hands and keep safe distance from sick people.
- Eat rich-diet food to keep yourself immune.
