Treatment Options

Helping Yourself

In addition to treating unusual bleeding as quickly as possible, individuals with hemophilia can follow several simple rules to optimize their health and limit the impact that hemophilia has on their daily lives. Make sure to continue any treatments that you have been prescribed. Taking these medications appropriately will help prevent future complications.

• Wear a MedicAlert tag and carry treatment information. Because hemophilia is an uncommon condition, it may not be recognized in an accident victim unable to communicate. However, paramedics and other medical providers are trained to look for medical identification. Carrying information on the type of hemophilia factors that may be needed can lead to quicker treatment.
• Go to the Emergency Room if you experience any bleeding that cannot be stopped. The quicker you get to the hospital, the less chance you have of getting any unwanted complications. You should also go to the ER if you are having symptoms that are indicative of brain bleeding, or you have any limited joint movement or pain. If you go the ER, make sure that you take your medication list.
• Hemophilia treatment centers. Register with one of these centers that specialize in care for hemophilic patients. These centers are typically located at a University hospitals or medical research centers. They can provide treatment and education which could be very beneficial not only for the patient but the family.
• Protect Young children. Children need to be protected from objects that could cause them potential harm such as activities that could cause potential bruising or bleeds. Make kids wear helmets along with elbow and knee pads when riding bicycles or tricycles. While traveling in the car, make sure that safety belts are used appropriately. Around the house are many objects that put a child a risk. Be sure to check your furniture for sharp corners that could lead to cuts, place locks on the cabinets to prevent them from being opened, gates around the house to prevent falls down stairs or to keep out of dangerous rooms (furnace, water heater, etc). Other precautions that can be taken include having a ice pack in the freezer in case of bruises or bumps.. Make sure that anyone who watches the child knows about hemophilia and what they should do in case of a bruise or a bleed.
• Exercise regularly. Early treatment with clotting factor products can help prevent muscle and joint damage, but it cannot restore joint or muscle function. To preserve muscle strength and joint mobility, individuals with hemophilia should incorporate both stretching and active exercises into their daily routines -- especially after a major bleeding episode. High contact sports, such as boxing, football, and wrestling, which may increase the chance of an injury that could cause bleeding, probably should be avoided. However, swimming, biking, golfing, walking, and tennis are excellent ways for individuals with hemophilia to get needed exercise. Individuals with hemophilia will learn which activities work best for them. Appropriate protective gear can help to prevent injury and major bleeding during physical activities. In some cases, prophylactic (preventive) doses of a clotting factor product may be given before exercise.
• Seek appropriate pain relief. Bleeding episodes are usually associated with some degree of pain. Pain relief can be achieved with or without medication. The use of ice or heat packs often can help relieve pain due to swelling and inflammation. Gentle massage may be helpful if the bleeding has caused a muscle spasm, but care should be taken not to cause bruising by massage that is too rough. Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) can often relieve pain. However, individuals with hemophilia should avoid aspirin because aspirin reduces the ability of blood components known as platelets to stick together and begin the process of clot formation. Additionally, aspirin may irritate the stomach enough to cause bleeding in the stomach. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be used with caution by individuals with hemophilia. While NSAIDs usually provide good pain relief and reduce inflammation, they also have the potential to cause stomach bleeding. In cases of extreme pain, prescription pain relievers may be helpful but prolonged use should be avoided.
• Practice good dental hygiene. Good dental care is especially important for individuals with hemophilia because unhealthy gums can lead to bleeding in the mouth .Any oral surgery that is needed by individuals with hemophilia usually should be performed in a hospital. A prophylactic (preventive) dose of a clotting factor product may be administered prior to surgery.
• Keep up with immunizations. Keeping vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B current is especially critical for individuals with hemophilia. Although current manufacturing processes filter out viruses, individuals who use blood-derived factor products are at a slightly increased risk for contracting viral infections such as hepatitis through possible contamination of the blood. Vaccinations against other infectious diseases are just as important for individuals with hemophilia.
• Traveling. Make sure that you take your medicines with you. Also, make sure that you are going to have enough medication for the entire length of the trip. Actually, it?s an even better idea to have an additional supply of medications in case your trip is unexpectantly extended. Have your personal doctor write a letter describing your condition so in an emergency so in an emergency you can pass this letter to the doctors in your travel area. Finally, before leaving town, find out what medical centers are in the area in case an emergency does occur.
• Get support. Dealing with the symptoms and complications of hemophilia can be overwhelming, especially for parents of children who are newly diagnosed or those with mild hemophilia who have unusual bleeding only occasionally. Help is available from several sources. Many communities have hemophilia clinics, where families can learn about hemophilia and get assistance with giving infusions. In addition, several national organizations maintain websites with helpful information. Among them are:
  • National Hemophilia Foundation (www.hemophilia.org)
  • Hemophilia Galaxy (www.hemophiliagalaxy.com)
  • All About Bleeding (www.allaboutbleeding.com)

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.