Contents:
- Medical Video: Living with Beta Thalassemia Intermedia
- Treatment of thalassemia by continuous blood transfusion
- Is it true that the treatment of thalassemia must be lived for life?
- Other types of thalassemia treatment
Medical Video: Living with Beta Thalassemia Intermedia
Thalassemia is a blood disorder that makes the sufferer unable to produce protein in the blood or commonly called hemoglobin (Hb). This condition will make people with thalassemia suffer from anemia constantly and instead, they need blood transfusions from other people. He said, the treatment of thalassemia requires a long time, even for life. Is this true? Do patients with thalassemia have to take continuous treatment?
Treatment of thalassemia by continuous blood transfusion
In normal circumstances, the bone marrow will use iron obtained from food to be converted into blood proteins, namely hemoglobin (Hb). Hemoglobin is a substance in red blood cells that functions to carry oxygen throughout the body, which is used as one of the ingredients to make food in tissues and cells.
Well, in people with thalassemia, the body is not able to produce Hb in sufficient quantities, so in the end the body will lack red blood or anemia. This inability is caused by a genetic abnormality and is associated with a history of hereditary diseases.
There are many types of thalassemia that are influenced by how strong the genes that carry this chronic disease affect the body. People with minor thalassemia usually do not experience symptoms and severe health problems that do not require large amounts of blood transfusions and frequent frequencies.
Conversely, if you experience thalassemia major which is usually more severe, you are encouraged to continue to do blood transfusions. Because, this disease will make you very short of red blood. Usually, people with thalassemia major must have a blood transfusion once every 3-4 weeks, depending on the level of Hb they have.
Is it true that the treatment of thalassemia must be lived for life?
If you have mild or minor thalassemia, you can live a normal life with a healthy and good lifestyle. Meanwhile, in thalassemia major, blood transfusions must be routinely carried out to prevent acute anemia.
Actually, there are other treatment options that might be able to cure thalassemia major patients, namely by bone marrow transplant. However, unfortunately it is not easy enough to find people with the right bone marrow and genes.
Meanwhile, recently treatment of thalassemia has been found by genetic treatment. This treatment method is considered effective to cure patients with thalassemia major. However, because this treatment is done at the gene level, experts are still researching and developing this method further.
Other types of thalassemia treatment
In addition to regular blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants. Patients with thalassemia need other treatments such as:
- Folic acid supplement. This supplement is used to help increase Hb levels in major and minor thalassemia patients.
- Iron chelation therapy. This therapy is usually carried out along with blood transfusions carried out routinely. A blood transfusion every month will cause patients to experience iron buildup in the blood. This condition will cause the patient to experience poisoning, damage the function of the liver and heart. Therefore, this therapy is carried out to prevent iron buildup.
To find out more about which treatment is right and best for you at this time, you should discuss and consult your doctor.
