Understanding Thalassemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Thalassemia is a blood disease in millions of people all around the world, even in Pakistan. It’s a genetic disorder of blood, i.e., it’s hereditary from parents to children. Aleem Dar Foundation is busy day and night in creating awareness about blood disorders and thalassemia patients.
What is Thalassemia?
It’s a very common question, what is thalassemia? It is an illness in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells are needed since they carry oxygen throughout the body. In thalassemia, either the cells are not made or they are destroyed very fast, and thus not enough oxygen. This can lead to a host of health issues, including tiredness, weakness, and inability to grow. The Aleem Dar Foundation is an effort to inform the public about this disorder so that the people suffering from it can receive the appropriate treatment and support.
Causes of Thalassemia
Thalassemia occurs because of changes in the genes that control the production of hemoglobin, a protein inside red blood cells. If both parents carry the genes for thalassemia, there are good chance their child will also have the disorder. Those who are ready to have a child must know their family medical history and get appropriate tests done. Cousin marriage is common in some societies and the risk of having a thalassemia child is greater in these societies. The Aleem Dar Foundation is urging people to get themselves tested before marriage to reduce the threat of the disease.
Symptoms of Thalassemia
Thalassemia is mild to severe. Some individuals have no symptoms at all, while others are very much affected. Symptoms include:
- Yellowish or pale complexion
- Weakness and fatigue
- Slowed growth among children
- Abdominal swelling because of an enlarged spleen
- Bone problems, especially around the skull and face
These symptoms can start to manifest in the first few months of a baby’s life, and thus early diagnosis is necessary. If anyone starts experiencing any of these symptoms, he should immediately visit a doctor. Aleem Dar Foundation can refer patients to the relevant healthcare centers and provide beneficial support.
Types of Thalassemia
There are two main types of thalassemia — alpha, and beta. Both of them have subtypes that make a person ill in various ways. Beta thalassemia major, or Cooley’s anemia, is the most severe and needs regular transfusions of blood. Alpha thalassemia is different in severity. Those with severe forms may need regular blood transfusions and frequent medical care.
Thalassemia Patient Care
Taking care of a thalassemia patient is not easy. They must be regularly transfused with blood, medication, and proper medical attention. It proves to be emotionally and financially challenging for a majority of families. Aleem Dar Foundation helps such families by counseling them, making them aware of things, and providing them assistance. They even conduct blood donation camps through which patients receive their needed blood. Proper hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular doctor visits are necessary for families to efficiently manage the condition.
Treatment of a thalassemia patient also includes emotional assistance. Coping with a long-term illness is not easy for the patient as well as for the patient’s family. Aleem Dar Foundation realizes that there should be some support group that is solid and attempts to form a group of individuals who understand one another’s problems.
Treatment of Thalassemia
Thalassemia is still not treated, but the disease is treated. The treatment involves:
- Weekly transfusions of blood to maintain the body at a normal amount of red blood cells. Transfusion is usually carried out every few weeks.
- Medications to reduce excess iron build-up as a by-product of blood transfusions. Excess iron will cause damage to important organs like the heart and liver.
- Bone marrow transplantations, are currently the most progressive but expensive and not easily obtained. Not many patients are in a position to access a match for this surgery.
- Gene therapy has also been explored as a potential thalassemia cure in the future. It is still being researched currently but with the hope someday that there will be a final cure. The Aleem Dar Foundation stays updated on what the medical field has come up with so far as to discover improved ways of patient support.
How the Aleem Dar Foundation Helps
Aleem Dar Foundation works to raise awareness about blood disorders and assist patients through counseling, information, and financial assistance. They also enlighten the masses about screening themselves at an early age before marriage, which may avoid thalassemia being transmitted to future generations. Seminars, workshops, and awareness drives are held by the foundation to educate people on thalassemia and its consequences. They are also organizing blood donation camps to provide a constant source of blood to the needy.
Living with Thalassemia
Living with thalassemia is not very easy, but if the patients take proper care and attention, normal lives can be lived. Lifestyle must be proper, the diet must be proper, and infection prevention is the key. Regular follow-ups with the doctor and follow-up visits can make sure that the status of the patient is being tracked. Not only does the Aleem Dar Foundation care for the patients, but also creates awareness about the physical and emotional issues that their loved ones go through.
Thalassemia patients should be motivated to study and work towards their aspirations. They should never feel divorced from society, but they should understand that their disease does not define their abilities. Aleem Dar Foundation works on the vision of delivering confidence and capability-building to young patients so that they become productive members of society.
The Role of Society in Supporting Thalassemia Patients
Social knowledge and social awareness are necessary to support the thalassemia patient. People have no idea about what thalassemia is, so there are no correct facts but only misconceptions and myths. If society does know more about the disease, it can remain sympathetic and broad-minded. There can be learning environments in schools, workplaces, and communities in which thalassemia patients are included and valued.
The Aleem Dar Foundation is trying to connect society with the reality of life with thalassemia. Their awareness campaign and awareness activities stop the stigma and will unite everyone and create a more inclusive society for all.
FAQs
- What causes thalassemia?
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder passed down from parents to children. It happens when the body doesn’t produce enough hemoglobin, leading to fewer healthy red blood cells.
- What are the common symptoms of thalassemia?
Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, slow growth, weakness, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can cause bone deformities. - How is thalassemia treated?
Treatment includes regular blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy to remove excess iron, and in some cases, a bone marrow transplant for a potential cure.
Conclusion
Thalassemia is a tough condition, but it can be survived by thalassemia patients with due treatment and care. Aleem Dar Foundation aims to support thalassemia patients and make people more aware of this disabling disease. If you are a thalassemia patient or you know a patient suffering from thalassemia, feel free to get advice and guidance from the Aleem Dar Foundation. We can create a world in which nobody will have to endure in isolation.
You might know better or help the Aleem Dar Foundation in its struggle against thalassemia if you pen it to us. Your small step can alter a person’s life differently.
