Definition:
Thalassemia, also called as Mediterranean Anemia, Cooley's Anemia or Homozygous Beta Thalassemia, is a group of inherited disorders in which there is a fault in the production of hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying pigment found in red blood cells).
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of thalassemia trait and thalassemia major is made from microscopic examination of the blood, which manifests many small, pale red blood cells, and from other blood tests that show reduced levels of adult hemoglobin in the blood.
Treatment:
Normally, there are no treatments needed for the minor form of thalassemia. For thalassemia major, the primary treatment is regular blood transfusions, often every four weeks. In addition to the blood transfusions, doctors suggest injections of Desferal to help the body flush out the extra iron created by the new blood.
Symptoms and Signs:
People with thalassemia major may experience paleness, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, jaundice, and spleen enlargement
Causes:
Thalassemia is a genetically determined disease, and it tends to be found in individuals whose families come from the Mediterranean region, Africa, and sometimes Asia.
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