World Thalassemia Day 2024Thalassemia is a disease in which hemoglobin production in the body stops. This is a blood related disease, which occurs due to genetic reasons. Thalassemia is passed from parents to children. Due to less information, this disease can be quite dangerous. In such a situation, to reduce its danger, World Thalassemia Day is celebrated every year on 8 May. Let us know what this disease is, who is most at risk from it and how careful one should be with children…
what is thalassemia
According to Dr. Nandan Sharma, Pediatrician of District Hospital Jabalpur, the disease of Thalassemia in children is genetic. If parents have this disease then the chances of the child having thalassemia increases by 25%. This can be prevented only if blood test of male and female is done at the time of marriage. Children in such a situation can be protected from this disease. According to Dr. Sharma, every year more than 10 thousand children are born with the most severe form of thalassemia. This disease affects their body’s ability to produce hemoglobin and red blood cells. This is the reason why a person suffering from thalassemia has to undergo blood transfusion from time to time.
How dangerous is Thalassemia?
Doctors say that since thalassemia requires frequent blood transfusions. In such a situation, due to repeated blood transfusion, excess iron elements get accumulated in the patient’s body. Due to which serious damage can be caused to liver, heart and lungs. Apart from this, the risk of getting Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV also increases.
What are the symptoms of thalassemia
1. Different symptoms of Thalassemia appear with increasing age.
2. Some common symptoms of anemia include yellowing of the child’s tongue and nails.
3. The child’s growth stops, he appears smaller and weaker than his age.
4. Sudden weight loss
5. Having trouble breathing
Is there permanent treatment for thalassemia?
Health experts believe that thalassemia can be completely eradicated. Doctors treat this disease based on its severity, symptoms and problems faced by the patients. To maintain the level of hemoglobin in the patient’s body, extra iron is removed from the body by giving blood transfusion at regular intervals. Apart from this, doctors also advise taking supplements like folic acid. If necessary, thalassemia is also treated through bone marrow transplant.
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