Hemophilia A: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
الهيموفيليا أ
Hemophilia A is a bleeding disorder caused by low clotting factor VIII. Severity varies; bleeding may persist after injury or occur inside joints and muscles.
What is Hemophilia A?
Inherited disease mainly affects males, but females may carry the gene change and also bleed. Acquired hemophilia is a different condition requiring its own assessment and treatment.
Related reading: A different bleeding disorder: von Willebrand disease.
Symptoms
Large bruises, prolonged bleeding after procedures or dental extraction, and painful swollen joints or muscles may occur. Severe disease can cause bleeding without obvious injury.
Causes
Inherited hemophilia A involves a factor VIII gene change on the X chromosome. A new mutation can occur without family history; ordinary contact does not transmit it.
Risk factors
Family history and X-linked inheritance increase likelihood, but absent family history does not exclude disease. Factor activity and individual circumstances influence bleeding risk.
Diagnosis
Assessment combines personal and family bleeding history, clotting tests and factor VIII activity, sometimes genetic testing. Treatment-inhibitor testing must account for the medicine being used.
Treatment
Specialist plans treat and prevent bleeding with factor VIII or non-factor treatments such as emicizumab. Desmopressin may suit responsive mild cases; products and schedules are not automatically interchangeable.
Complications
Repeated bleeds can damage joints or cause anemia; serious internal bleeding is possible. Inhibitors complicate treatment and need specialist management, not self-directed dose increases.
Prevention
The inherited change cannot be prevented, but prophylaxis, suitable activity and dental care reduce harm. Plan procedures ahead; avoid aspirin or bleeding-promoting painkillers unless approved.
When to see a doctor
Head injury, a new severe headache, vomiting, unusual drowsiness or uncontrolled bleeding requires urgent care. Follow your emergency plan and tell staff your diagnosis and current treatment.