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Cures for Hemophilia

Wrong Diagnosis defines hemophilia as a "usually genetic" blood disease responsible for "causing (a) failure (of blood) to clot." Though this disease is not fatal in and of itself, it can lead to difficult complications. A simple cut can become a serious, life-threatening event. When the blood refuses to clot, it will simply continue to pour out of even the smallest wounds. While there is no real cure as of today, medical scientists are predicting one in the next 10 years. Simple treatments are available that can make life with hemophilia simpler.

  1. Replacement Therapy

    • Replacement therapy is simple to define: It is simply replacing the missing clotting factors. Concentrates used in replacement therapy are commonly used in a slow drip or sometimes injected directly into a vein. Some concentrates are made from human blood. This blood has been treated to prevent the spreading of diseases. Some concentrates go further and don't even use human blood. Clotting factors are easy to use; the whole process will generally take about 15 minutes. There are two types of replacement therapies: preventive and demand therapy. Preventive is using the concentrate regularly to avoid any potential for excessive bleeding. This therapy is more expensive and difficult but is the safest. Demand therapy is the use of clotting factors when bleeding is occurring. This is cheaper and easier but not as safe because there is a chance the factor will not be found or used in time to prevent serious blood loss.

    Desmopressin

    • Desmopressin is a hormone that can be used in place of replacement therapy. It can only be used in mild to moderate cases. It helps release stored factor VIII and von Willebrand factor to boost blood clotting. Desmopressin is man-made and very safe. It is given either via injection or a nasal spray. Desmopressin unfortunately becomes less effective with use, so it is used in special situations such as immediately before a dentist visit and treating mild bleeding.

    Antifibrinolytic Medicines

    • Antifibrinolytic medicines are often used with replacement therapy. They are usually delivered in pill form. Their purpose is to prevent forming blood clots from falling apart. Sometimes, even with replacement therapy, blood clots will begin breaking down. Antifibrinolytic medicines will help prevent this from happening. Like desmopressin, they are most commonly used before dental work. Other common uses include treating bleeding from the mouth or nose and treating mild intestinal bleeding.

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