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3 ways to manage hemophilia

3 ways to manage hemophilia

Hemophilia is a disorder characterized by unusual bleeding that doesn’t stop quickly. People with hemophilia abnormally bleed continuously, even from a small cut or injury. This happens because the blood’s ability to clot is compromised. Abnormal bleeding can pose a high risk when the patient is undergoing surgery. This article highlights the different types of hemophilia, treatment options, and effective tips on how one can better manage the health condition:

Treatment options
Hemophilia is a genetically inherited health condition associated with a bleeding disorder. It needs to be managed with the help of treatment plans, nutritious foods, and healthy lifestyle habits. Treatment options for hemophilia include recombinant factor concentrates that work at building the protein factors required to clot the blood in hemophilia patients. The major products used in developing recombinant factors include VIII, IX, and VIIa.

Below are some treatment options that a specialist may prescribe to focus on clotting factors. Since there are different types of hemophilia, they all have different courses of treatment. However, some of the most common treatment options include:

KOVALTRY®
This treatment option is prescribed to manage hemophilia A, which is caused by the missing protein factor VIII. KOVALTRY® helps replace factor VIII or antihemophilic factors to limit bleeding. This is especially important when a hemophilia patient opts for surgery.

HEMLIBRA®
This antibiotic is prescribed to manage hemophilia A in adults, children, and babies who are born with missing VIII factors. HEMLIBRA ® helps reduce the bleeding episodes by combining factors IXa and X together to continue the blood clotting process.

Foods to eat and avoid
Food is one of the key contributors to helping one manage hemophilia. Try to add vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds to your daily meal regime for nutritional value. Include healthy staples like brown rice, millets, oats, and low-fat dairy, and try recipes with minimal oil. Switch your vegetable oil to olive oil for its healthy fat content. Avoid foods that work as blood thinners, including coriander, ginger, cayenne peppers, grape seed extract, avocados, chilies, and pineapple. These foods can pose a risk of easy bleeding.

Types of hemophilia

  • Hemophilia (A)
    This primary type of condition, also termed classic hemophilia, is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII, a protein that helps form blood clots.
  • Hemophilia (B)
    This type of hemophilia is caused due to deficiency of blood protein IX, which is a clotting factor. Type B of hemophilia is also known as Christmas disease as it is named after the first person diagnosed with the second type of hemophilia, Stephen Christmas, in 1952.

Signs and symptoms of hemophilia

  • Bleeding in the joints
    This condition can cause swelling, tightness, or pain in the joints, including knees, elbows, and ankles.
  • Bleeding in the skin
    This may be caused due to bruising or build-up of blood in muscles and soft tissues.
  • Bleeding of the mouth and gums
    This kind of bleeding occurs when one loses a tooth or during dental procedures.
  • Bleeding after injections
    One may not stop bleeding when getting an injection, vaccine, or IV.
  • Bleeding in the head
    This may occur due to a head injury or during a difficult delivery.
  • Blood in the urine or stool
    Blood passing through urine or stool needs to be brought to a doctor’s attention as it could be associated with complexities.
  • Frequent nosebleeds
    People with hemophilia can experience frequent nosebleeds, which can be treated by packing the nose with a cloth or cotton.
  • Bleeding post-surgery or any health treatment
    This is one of the most common concerns for hemophilia patients. It’s always a risk for them to get into a minor operation or major surgery. One needs to discuss the situation with the doctor before opting for such health treatment plans.

Effective tips to help manage hemophilia
Despite the complication of the condition, there are lifestyle tips that help one live with hemophilia. Below listed are simple lifestyle changes that can be rewarding for patients.

Make exercise a part of your daily routine
Regular exercise can help patients maintain a healthy BMI, boost their immune system, and improve their overall well-being. However, avoid physical activities that may involve easy injuries or bruises. Refrain from participating in sports that demand physical contact. Instead, opt for walking, jogging, and swimming.

Practice dental hygiene
Dental problems can arise from a lack of oral hygiene. Hemophilia patients must maintain proper dental hygiene to avoid unforeseen complications like gum bleeding and infections. Also, it is a great way to prevent unwanted dental visits.

Stay hydrated
A well-hydrated body functions smoothly and puts less stress on the organs and internal systems. Keep a dedicated bottle next to you, so you can easily measure the daily water intake and act on it accordingly. Sip water throughout the day instead of chugging it in long intervals.

Use safety gear
When indulging in any physical activity, indoors or outdoors, one must consider using helmets, knee and elbow pads, and mouthguards to avoid complex injuries. One may not be able to gauge the degree of complexity of an injury until it happens, and there’s no going back from there.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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6 effective tips for relief from nasal congestion

Nasal congestion is a common discomfort caused by sinus and nasal cavity inflammation. An allergen could trigger it, or it could simply be a side effect of other diseases. Nasal congestion results in excess mucous production and swelling of the tissues and blood vessels in the nose. It is possible to manage these discomforts with FDA-approved prescriptions, simple changes in daily nutrition, and lifestyle remedies that improve the overall outlook, such as the following: Treatment options Doctors suggest prescriptions to primarily manage severe sinus congestion and nasal inflammation symptoms. Allegra® Allegra® is an FDA-approved prescription that belongs to a class of antihistamines formulated to provide relief from nasal congestion and common allergies. There are separate non-drowsy fast-acting formulas for children and adults available in the form of sprays, liquids, and more for direct consumption. Allegra® helps counter the histamine production that could result in a runny nose, sneezing, itching, and water eyes, among other common symptoms of cold and allergies. Foods to eat and ease nasal congestion Many daily foods and beverages can help manage symptoms and counter inflammation caused by nasal congestion and sinus allergies. Chicken soup ranks among the top foods, and for a good reason. Chicken broth contains an amino acid called cysteine that helps break down mucous, thus relieving congestion. Jalapeno peppers and cayenne peppers contain capsaicin and have the same effect as they release heat. Fresh pineapple slices contain bromelain, a compound that naturally counters inflammation. Additionally, ginger and horseradish can be added to daily cooking as these spices contain compounds that help clear the sinuses. All other foods and beverages rich in antioxidants and vitamin C can help boost immunity and prevent common allergies and infections from developing in the sinuses. Tips, lifestyle changes, and home remedies In addition to prescription and changes in nutrition, the following lifestyle changes and tips for managing congestion can also improve one's quality of life. Use a humidifier Increasing the humidity in the room by using a humidifier or a vaporizer can effectively help relieve any nasal congestion. Hot steam vaporizes the air and produces a soothing mist. This humidity helps relieve inflammation in the nasal passage, helps loosen the mucous, and soothes the airways to promote better breathing. It is also very cost-effective and can be done multiple times during the day for prolonged relief. It is okay to add a few drops of essential oils or plant-based extracts to create an aromatic mist. Although, ensure that nobody is already allergic to such oils as it can only make the symptoms worse. Warm mist and cool mist humidifiers (preferred for children) can be purchased from the local pharmacy. Try steam inhalation Inhaling steam is a more direct way of dealing with nasal congestion if the symptoms are severe. There are several ways to do this at home and many people prefer taking a super-hot shower, using a plain vessel with boiling water, or even purchasing a commercial face steamer appliance. Steam helps relax the membranes inside the nasal cavity and prevents inflammation from blocking the airways. This is, however, just a temporary solution as once the steam evaporates, its effectiveness doesn’t last for long. Explore neti pot irrigation Cleansing the nasal passage thoroughly with a simple saline solution made with lukewarm water and salt can also help provide relief from nasal congestion. A neti pot is a simple device designed with a long spout designed to irrigate the nasal passage. The procedure is quite simple: tilt the neti pot and allow the solution to pour into the sinus cavity from one nostril. The liquid will pour out from the other nostril and help flush all the mucous, gunk, and bacteria out of the cavity. The warm saline solution also acts as a disinfectant and soothes the nasal passage to relieve inflammation. It will take some practice to learn to use the device efficiently. Use a warm compress The simplest way to transfer some heat into the nasal passage is by using a warm compress. Take a plain washcloth or hand towel and soak it in hot water. Ensure the liquid is not boiling hot to avoid serious burns. Wring out the excess water and then gently apply the compress on the face. Put gentle pressure over the nose and around the sinus to let the heat transfer. Alternatively, consider buying a warm compress water bag from the local pharmacy if the towel idea is not appealing. This technique must be repeated a few times during the day for maximum relief. Getting proper rest Studies show that the body’s immune system kicks into high gear during a full sleep cycle, producing proteins that fight inflammation and lower the risk of infections. Even changing the sleeping position by adding an extra pillow to support the head and sleep on one side prevents the mucous from flowing back into the nasal cavity. Sleeping with the head in an elevated position also makes it easy to breathe normally. Some specialists also suggest using nasal strips that work by lifting the sides of the nose a little more to open the cavity. Drink plenty of fluids One of the most important aspects of proper hydration is linked to the sinus cavity. With enough water in the body, the mucous gunk will be produced thin, and it will be easy to force it out with minimal effort. There are many studies that suggest the benefits of warm infusions and soothing hot beverages that help relieve the pressure on sinus and nasal cavities. Note that staying hydrated is not a cure.

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