- Cardiology 84
- Dermatology 45
- Endocrinology 33
- ENT 16
- Fertility 190
- Gastroenterology 78
- General-Medicine 81
- Gynecology 80
- Hematology 19
- Infectious-Diseases 33
- Neurology 52
- Oncology 34
- Ophthalmology 23
- Orthopedics 69
- Pediatrics 31
- Procedure 23
- Public-Health 144
- Pulmonology 59
- Radiology 8
- Urology 68
- Wellness 161
- Woman-and-child 77
- 3284
- 3.6 Minute
World Thalassaemia Day
The International Thalassemia awareness day : Aim to Strengthening education to bridge the thalassaemia care gap", highlighting the empowering force of education and its association with appropriate and quality care for this disorder.
This May 8, show that you are aware and care about the thalassemia patients in your community.
Improve your knowledge on thalassaemia, gather care information, share experiences and stories on social media, work with schools, professional, religious, or cultural platforms to spread awareness of the disease and unmet needs of the patients and make yourself widely heard.
What is Thalassemia?
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder affecting the production of hemoglobin in the body, resulting in anemia.
Hemoglobin is a complex protein present in red blood cells that play a vital role in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body.
Thalassemia is caused by mutations that happen in hemoglobin, leading to reduced or abnormal production of the protein. It is also called Mediterranean anemia, cooley anemia, beta-thalassemia and alpha-thalassemia.
There are mainly two types of thalassemia: alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Hemoglobin is made up of two chains – alpha and beta.
So if there is an abnormality in the alpha chain of hemoglobin, it causes alpha-thalassemia and any changes in the beta chain may lead to beta-thalassemia.
Secure your health with a second opinion. Make informed decisions and book your appointment today!
Get A Second OpinionSymptoms of Thalassemia:
The symptoms of thalassemia can vary from mild to severe depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some common thalassemia symptoms include one or more of the following:
- Paleness
- Fatigue
- Lack of appetite
- Lightheadedness or shortness of breath
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
- In children, slow growth and delayed puberty.
- Bone deformities in the face
- Abdominal swelling
Thalassemia-Related Health Challenges
An enlarged spleen
Your spleen fights infections and filters out damaged blood cells. When you have thalassemia, your spleen may have to work harder than usual, causing it to enlarge. If your spleen grows to be too large, it may need to be removed.
Infections
People with thalassemia are more likely to develop blood infections, especially if they receive numerous blood transfusions. Some infections can be worsened if your spleen has been removed.
Bone problems
Thalassemia can result in facial and skull bone deformities. Thalassemia patients may also have severe osteoporosis (brittle bones).
Too much iron in your blood
This can damage the heart, liver, or endocrine system (hormone-producing glands in the body, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands).
Ready to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an AppointmentThalassemia Treatment
- Treatment for thalassemia is determined by the type of thalassemia and the severity of the symptoms. If you have only mild or no symptoms, you may only require little or no treatment.
- Blood transfusions : Regular blood transfusions and folate supplements are used to treat moderate to severe forms of thalassemia. Folate (also known as folic acid) helps your body in the production of healthy blood cells. Alpha thalassemia is frequently confused with low-iron anemia, and iron supplements may be prescribed as a treatment. Iron supplements, on the other hand, have no effect on thalassemia.
- Chelation therapy : Too much iron may accumulate in your blood if you have frequent blood transfusions. If this occurs, you will require chelation therapy to remove excess iron from your body. If you get blood transfusions, you should avoid taking iron supplements.
- Bone marrow transplant : Bone marrow or stem cell transplants may help in the most severe cases by replacing damaged cells with healthy cells from a donor. A donor is usually a family member, such as a sibling.
Lifestyle Changes for Thalassemia Patients
You can’t prevent inheriting thalassemia, but you can manage the disease so that you can have the best quality of life possible. Key steps include:
- Stick to your treatment plan. Get blood transfusions as frequently as your doctor suggests.
- Take your iron chelation medication and/or folic acid supplements as directed.
- Get ongoing medical care. Maintain regular medical checkups and undergo any medical tests prescribed by your doctor.
- These may include thalassemia and general health tests. Make sure you get any flu,pneumonia,hepatitis B, and meningitis vaccinations that your doctor recommends.
- Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated. Wash your hands frequently and avoid crowds during the flu and cold season to reduce your risk of infection. Maintain a clean environment around your transfusion site.
- Look for information and support. To learn coping strategies, join a support group or talk with others with the disease.
Thalassemia is most common in people of Mediterranean, African, and Asian descent. It is estimated that 1.5 million people worldwide are affected by thalassemia. The condition is typically diagnosed through blood tests that measure the levels of hemoglobin and other blood components.
- Prevention involves genetic counseling and testing for those with a family history.
- Prenatal testing during pregnancy can determine fetal risk.
- Many patients depend on blood transfusions to survive.
- Donating blood is a simple way to save lives; each pint can save up to three lives.
- Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting hemoglobin production, causing anemia.
- The condition ranges from mild to severe; treatment varies based on severity.
- Prevention includes genetic counseling and prenatal testing.
Let's all collaborate to raise awareness, spread knowledge, and fight for access to thalassaemia care for everyone and everywhere!
Frequently Asked Questions
World Thalassemia Day is an annual observance on May 8th dedicated to raising awareness about thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, and promoting support for patients and families affected by the condition.
The body's inability to create enough hemoglobin is the hallmark of a series of genetic blood disorders known as thalassemia, which can cause severe anemia and other health problems. People of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African origin are the groups most affected.
World Thalassemia Day is observed through various activities, including educational seminars, blood donation drives, patient support events, and social media campaigns to spread awareness about the condition.
World Thalassemia Day was established by the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) to honour the memory of George Englezos, who lost his battle with thalassemia. Since then, it has grown into a global event recognized by various health organizations and governments.
Global initiatives include awareness campaigns, medical workshops, policy discussions, and collaborations between international health organizations to improve the diagnosis and treatment of thalassemia worldwide.
Thalassemia can significantly impact daily life, requiring frequent medical visits, blood transfusions, and careful management of diet and medications. Patients often need ongoing support to cope with physical and emotional challenges.
- Cardiology 2132
- Dermatology 168
- Endocrinology 135
- ENT 97
- Fertility 217
- Gastroenterology 232
- General 478
- General-Medicine 1685
- Gynecology 169
- Hematology 85
- Infectious-Diseases 208
- Neurology 207
- Oncology 345
- Ophthalmology 65
- Orthopedics 187
- Pediatrics 83
- Procedure 72
- Public-Health 209
- Pulmonology 126
- Radiology 13
- Second Opinion 311
- Urology 294
- Wellness 600
- Woman-and-child 447
Related Blogs
If you have any questions, please fill out the enquiry form or call us, and we will get back to you promptly.
040-68334455
