What is the treatment for beta thalassemia?
Treatment may include: Regular blood transfusions. Medicines to reduce extra iron from your body (called iron chelation therapy) Surgery to remove the spleen, if needed.
What are the types of beta thalassemia?
Beta thalassemia has three main forms – minor, intermedia and major, which indicate the severity of the disease. Individuals with beta thalassemia minor usually do not have any symptoms (asymptomatic) and individuals often are unaware that they have the condition. Some individuals do experience a very mild anemia.
What’s beta thalassemia?
Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin . Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. In people with beta thalassemia, low levels of hemoglobin lead to a lack of oxygen in many parts of the body.
What are the 4 types of thalassemia?
Alpha thalassemia occurs when some or all of the 4 genes that make hemoglobin (the alpha-globin genes) are missing or damaged.
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There are 4 types of alpha thalassemia:
- Alpha thalassemia silent carrier.
- Alpha thalassemia carrier.
- Hemoglobin H disease.
- Alpha thalassemia major.
What is the difference between thalassemia and beta thalassemia?
When thalassemia is called “alpha” or “beta,” this refers to the part of hemoglobin that isn’t being made. If either the alpha or beta part is not made, there aren’t enough building blocks to make normal amounts of hemoglobin. Low alpha is called alpha thalassemia. Low beta is called beta thalassemia.
What is the best medicine for thalassemia?
To help rid your body of the extra iron, you might need to take an oral medication, such as deferasirox (Exjade, Jadenu) or deferiprone (Ferriprox). Another drug, deferoxamine (Desferal), is given by needle.
What are the symptoms of beta thalassemia?
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Beta Thalassemia Intermedia or Major?
- extreme tiredness.
- pale skin.
- shortness of breath.
- a fast heartbeat.
- moodiness or irritability.
- slow growth.
- change in the shape of bones in the face and head.
Why is beta thalassemia more common?
The beta thalassemia syndromes are much more diverse than the alpha thalassemia syndromes due to the diversity of the mutations that produce the defects in the beta globin gene.
What is the main cause of thalassemia?
Thalassemia is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells that make hemoglobin — the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. The mutations associated with thalassemia are passed from parents to children.
What should be avoided in thalassemia?
Thalassemia patients should avoid pork, liver, oysters, beans, beef, peanut butter and tofu from their diet. They should also avoid consumption of prunes and prune juice, watermelon, spinach, leafy green veggies, dates, broccoli, raisins and peas.
Which medicine should be avoided in thalassemia?
Some drugs, such as aspirin and throat lozenges, as well as certain ‘health foods’, may contain vitamin C and should be avoided.
How beta thalassemia is diagnosed?
The diagnosis of β-thalassemia relies on measuring red blood cell indices that reveal microcytic hypochromic anemia, nucleated red blood cells on peripheral blood smear, hemoglobin analysis that reveals decreased amounts of HbA and increased amounts of hemoglobin F (HbF) after age 12 months, and the clinical severity …
Is beta thalassemia life threatening?
Beta thalassemia major (also called Cooley’s anemia). People with beta thalassemia major have life-threatening anemia. They need regular blood transfusions and other medical care.
At what age is thalassemia detected?
Most children with moderate to severe thalassemia receive a diagnosis by the time they are 2 years old. People with no symptoms may not realize they are carriers until they have a child with thalassemia. Blood tests can detect if a person is a carrier of thalassemia or has the condition.
Why is folic acid good for thalassemia?
Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop. Treatment with folic acid is usually done in addition to other therapies.
Why can’t thalassemia take iron?
People with thalassaemia may be advised to avoid iron supplements because they are at risk of iron overload. Carriers of the thalassaemia gene may be asymptomatic but pregnancy can precipitate anaemia and there is a chance that this may be inappropriately treated with iron replacement.
What is the drug of choice for thalassemia?
What blood tests indicate thalassemia?
Doctors diagnose thalassemias using blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and special hemoglobin tests.
- A CBC measures the amount of hemoglobin and the different kinds of blood cells, such as red blood cells, in a sample of blood.
- Hemoglobin tests measure the types of hemoglobin in a blood sample.
What is the life expectancy of someone with beta thalassemia?
Persons with thalassemia trait have a normal life expectancy. Persons with beta thalassemia major live an average of 17 years and usually die by 30 years of age. Most deaths are caused by the cardiac complications of iron overload.
What are the symptoms of someone with beta thalassemia?
What food should be avoided in thalassemia?
What are the current treatments for thalassemia?
Management and Treatment
Standard treatments for thalassemia major are blood transfusions and iron chelation. A blood transfusion involves receiving injections of red blood cells through a vein to restore normal levels of healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin.
What are the stages of thalassemia?
Three main forms have been described: thalassemia major, thalassemia intermedia and thalassemia minor. Individuals with thalassemia major usually present within the first two years of life with severe anemia, requiring regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
Is banana good for thalassemia?
Intake of foods rich in folic acid also helps alleviate the signs of thalassemia. Some such foods are lentils, egg yolk, dried beans, sweet potato, wholegrain bread, soya products, split peas, nuts, Brussel sprouts, bananas, and peaches, among others.
How long is the life of thalassemia patients?
Survival of thalassemia patients
The cumulative survival rate from birth until 10 years old was 99%. After reaching the age of 20 years, 88% of the patients survived until 30 years, 74% survived until 45, 68% survived until 50, and 51% survived until 55 years old.
What is beta thalassemia symptoms?
In people with beta thalassemia, low levels of hemoglobin lead to a lack of oxygen in many parts of the body. Affected individuals also have a shortage of red blood cells (anemia ), which can cause pale skin, weakness, fatigue, and more serious complications.
Is beta thalassemia serious?
Severe anemia can cause serious, even life-threatening complications if left untreated. Affected individuals are treated by regular blood transfusions. Because of repeated blood transfusions individuals with beta thalassemia major and intermedia may develop excess levels of iron in the body (iron overload).
What is beta thalassemia caused by?
The mutations associated with thalassemia are passed from parents to children. Hemoglobin molecules are made of chains called alpha and beta chains that can be affected by mutations. In thalassemia, the production of either the alpha or beta chains are reduced, resulting in either alpha-thalassemia or beta-thalassemia.
What foods are not good for thalassemia?
What is the best food for thalassemia patient?
Nutritional deficiencies are common in thalassemia. It is recommended that patients going through blood transfusion should opt for a low iron diet. Avoiding iron-fortified foods like cereal, red meat, green leafy vegetables & Vitamin C-rich foods is the best option for thalassemic patients.
What foods are good for beta thalassemia?
Thalassemia patients should have foods rich in Vitamin E like nuts, cereals and eggs. Olive oil can also be consumed in order to increase your consumption of Vitamin E. People suffering from thalassemia can have plenty of foods that are rich in calcium. Calcium also helps in keeping bones strong and healthy.
Which fruit is good for thalassemia?
Other food items also included in the special Thalassemia diet are beet, carrots, celery, alfalfa sprouts, turnips, cucumbers, garlic, lettuce, tomatoes, green chilies, potatoes, apples, cranberries, pomegranates, strawberries, pineapples, lemons, and acai berries, among others.
Can thalassemia patients drink milk?
Many factors in thalassaemia promote calcium depletion. A diet containing adequate calcium (e.g. milk, cheese, dairy products and kale) is always recommended.
Is banana good for thalassemia minor?
What should not eat in thalassemia?
What fruit is good for thalassemia?
What causes death in thalassemia?
Heart and Liver Diseases
Heart disease caused by iron overload is the main cause of death in people who have thalassemias. Heart disease includes heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), and heart attack.
Can you live a normal life with thalassemia?
People who have mild or minor forms of thalassemia can typically lead normal lives. In severe cases, heart failure is a possibility. Other complications include liver disease, abnormal skeletal growth, and endocrine issues. Your doctor can give you more information about your outlook.
What foods are good for beta thalassemia minor?
What foods to avoid if you have thalassemia?
Is Egg good for thalassemia?
Protein – Growth and development slow down in children with thalassemia, which is why they need protein. But some sources of protein are high in iron too which must be avoided. Good protein sources- cheese, yoghurt, soy products, beans, eggs and nuts.
How many years do thalassemia patients live?
People with thalassemia trait have normal life expectancy. However, beta thalassemia major along with heart ailments can make the condition fatal before 30 years of age.
How long can a thalassemia patient live?