Hemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. People with hemophilia can bleed excessively from injuries or surgeries, and may also experience internal bleeding without an obvious cause, particularly into joints and muscles.
🔍 Common Symptoms
- Excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries
- Bruising easily and frequently
- Spontaneous bleeding into joints or muscles (hemarthrosis)
- Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
- Blood in urine or stool
- Headaches and neurological symptoms (if brain bleeding occurs)
🧬 Causes & Risk Factors
- Genetic mutation affecting clotting factor proteins
- Hemophilia A — deficiency of Factor VIII (most common)
- Hemophilia B — deficiency of Factor IX
- Typically inherited through the X chromosome (mainly affects males)
- Rarely, acquired hemophilia can develop in adulthood due to autoimmune conditions
✅ What To Do Next
- Consult a hematologist for diagnosis and treatment plan
- Receive clotting factor replacement therapy
- Administer preventive (prophylactic) factor treatment
- Avoid medications that increase bleeding risk (aspirin, NSAIDs)
- Wear medical alert identification
- Connect with a hemophilia treatment center