
|
Channels
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medical Health Encyclopedia
Thalassemia
From Healthscout's partner site on breast cancer, HealthCentral.com
Mediterranean anemia; Cooley's anemia; Beta thalassemia; Alpha thalassemia Treatment Treatment for thalassemia major often involves regular blood transfusions and folate supplements. If you receive blood transfusions, you should not take iron supplements. Doing so can cause a high amount of iron to build up in the body, which can be harmful. Persons who receive significant numbers of blood transfusions need a treatment called chelation therapy to remove excess iron from the body. Bone marrow transplant may help treat the disease in some patients, especially children. Support Groups Expectations (prognosis) ![]() Severe thalassemia can cause early death due to heart failure a, usually between ages 20 and 30. Frequent blood transfusions with therapy to remove iron from the body helps improve the outcome. Less severe forms of thalassemia usually do not result in a shorter life span. Complications Untreated, thalassemia major leads to heart failure and liver problems, and makes a person more likely to develop infections. Blood transfusions can help control some symptoms, but may result in too much iron which can damage the heart, liver, and endocrine system. Calling your health care provider Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:
Review Date: 01/31/2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Search
Health Tools
Featured Conditions
Resources
Find a Therapist
PR Newswire
|
New Features
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||