World Thalassemia Day 2024: Symptoms, causes to know

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the body's ability to produce hemoglobin, an important protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. When a person has thalassemia, their body either makes less hemoglobin or makes an abnormal form of it. This can lead to a condition called anemia, which means that there aren't enough healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream.

There are two main types of thalassemia--alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. The type of thalassemia a person has depends on which genes are affected.
• Alpha thalassemia: This type of thalassemia is caused by a mutation in the genes that control the production of the alpha globin protein chain, which is one of the two protein chains that make up hemoglobin. Alpha thalassemia can range in severity from mild to severe, depending on how many genes are mutated.
• Beta thalassemia: This type of thalassemia is caused by a mutation in the genes that control the production of the beta globin protein chain. Beta thalassemia can also range in severity from mild to severe, depending on how many genes are mutated.

Beta thalassemia: Symptoms of thalassemia can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some people with thalassemia may have no symptoms at all, while others may experience fatigue, pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath, and slow growth.

The symptoms of thalassemia can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Slow growth and development in children
• Bone problems
• An enlarged spleen

Causes of thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. This means that it is passed down from parents to children through their genes. If you have a family history of thalassemia, you are more likely to have a child with the condition.

Video
Treatment of thalassemia
Bone marrow transplant is the only permanent cure for thalassemia, there are treatments that can help manage the condition and improve quality of life. These treatments may include:
• Blood transfusions: This is a common treatment for people with severe thalassemia. Blood transfusions can help increase the number of red blood cells in the body and improve symptoms.

• Iron chelation therapy: When a person receives regular blood transfusions, their body can accumulate too much iron. Iron chelation therapy helps remove excess iron from the body.
• Bone marrow transplant is the only cure for people with severe thalassemia. A bone marrow transplant can replace the diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor.