Thalassemia Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder passed down through families (Inherited) in which body makes abnormal form of hemoglobin protein is found in red blood cells which carries oxygen. In this disease people are not able to make enough hemoglobin its create problem oxygen cannot get to all parts of the body, organs are unable to function properly. Generally Thalassemia is, may have been developed in that areas where malaria is prevalent. It is a serious disease that requires extensive medical care and regular blood transfusions. There are two forms of Thalassemia that is:

Thalassemia trait: In thalassemia trait people are not ill it is present at the time of birth. Some may have slight anemia.

Thalassemia major: It is very serious blood disease which begins in childhood. In this the children become pale, do not feel well and feeling vomiting very frequently.

There are two main types of thalassemia:

Alpha beta Thalassemia: in this the people who suffer from alpha thalassemia do not produce enough alpha globin.

Beta Thalassemia: In this the people similar gene defects affect and cannot produce enough beta globin. It is a serious illness these symptoms are poor appetite, failure to grow and irritability.

Causes of Thalassemia: Thalassemia is that disease which is directly linked to genetics that how the genes affect hemoglobin production. It occurs when there is a defect in gene and makes low hemoglobin levels and a high rate of red blood cell destruction, causing anemia. In this situation blood does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. If you receive the defective gene from only one parent then it causes thalassemia minor. It is also have genetic cause always inherited pass from parent to children.

Symptoms of Thalassemia: The symptom of thalassemia is depend on the type usually the people have beta thalassemia have no symptoms. Some babies show the symptoms of thalassemia at the time of birth. Some symptoms are: Fatigue
• Abdominal swelling
• Pale skin or jaundice
• Poor growth and abnormal facial bones
• Irritability
• Shortness of breath
• Spleen (spleen is an organ above your stomach which remove unwanted material) enlargement
• Heart palpitations


Treatment of Thalassemia: If any person and child have these symptoms then get the proper treatment from best doctor. The doctor will take your blood sample to find out the causes and sent to a laboratory for examination. Treatment of thalassemia is involved regular blood transfusions and folate supplements. Chelation therapy is used when receive significant numbers of blood transfusions then it is used to remove excess iron from the body. It is very serious disease, If you suffer then it’s important to makes an appointment with the doctor for the treatment of thalassemia.