Hemophilia B occurs when there is little to no factor IX in the blood. Factor IX is one of the several proteins that help blood clot. Without it, you may bleed continuously. This condition is more common in girls than boys.
Common symptoms that may occur as a result of hemophilia are excessive nosebleeds, bleeding for longer than a normal length of time, lots of blood from small injuries, blood in the urine or stool, or large bruises.
Be sure to talk to your doctor if you believe you are suffering from any of these symptoms. A doctor will be able to do a series of blood tests to determine whether or not you have hemophilia B.
Although there is no cure for hemophilia at the moment, treatments are available to help prevent symptoms from occurring.
Hemophilia B Treatments
Hemophilia B treatments mostly involve replacement therapy. In this treatment, a doctor will inject the protein your blood is missing into the veins. There are two types of replacement therapy available, one involves acquiring the protein from human blood donations, and the other requires man-made protein from a lab.
You can choose to undergo replacement therapy at a clinic and have a nurse administer your injection. That being said, you can also go through proper training and education to learn how to self-administer the injection.
Furthermore, severe cases of hemophilia may require regular injections to help control bleeding. Your doctor will determine the length of time between injections based on the severity of your case of hemophilia B.
Besides injections, physical exercise can also help to control bleeding. The buildup of muscle and making sure you are keeping to a healthy weight can help to reduce bleeding as well.
Take note that certain medications may increase your risk of bleeding, so be sure to see your doctor to determine which are appropriate for you to take.
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