Hemophilia is a particular disorder due to which there is an inadequate clotting of blood. This happens because the body lacks blood-clotting proteins. In case of an injury, the bleeding occurs for a longer duration. While small cuts may not be so much of a hassle, deeper cuts can result in damage to organs and tissues.

Let us take a look at some of the common early symptoms of hemophilia and its causes.

Early symptoms of hemophilia
The symptoms of hemophilia can largely depend on the level that clotting is occurring at, or lack thereof. If there is a mild reduction in the clotting-factor level, one may bleed only in case there has been a surgery or a traumatic injury. In case the clotting-factor is severe, one can even experience sudden and unexpected bleeding.

Some of the signs of spontaneous bleeding can include:

• Excessive bleeding from injuries or cuts that should not otherwise lead to so much bleeding. This could also happen after one has undergone a surgery or some kind of dental work
• Several large bruises on the body of the person
• Unusual bleeding after vaccinations
• Pain or tightening of joints or even swelling in some cases
• Presence of blood in stool or urine
• Sudden nosebleed without any apparent reason
• Unexplained irritability in infants

Apart from the above, bleeding into the brain can be one of the rare but severe symptoms. Signs that this is happening include headaches for prolonged periods, regular vomiting, sleepiness, weakness in the body, double vision, and seizures.

Causes of hemophilia
The most common cause of hemophilia is heredity. In most cases, a person is born with the condition wherein there is a mutation or change in one of the genes that provides instructions required to form a blood clot. Clotting factor genes in the X chromosome can have a defect, and as the gene can be transferred from the mother to the son, it happens in males. Because, there is only one X chromosome, males cannot make up for the defect, while females are able to make up for it because they have XX chromosome.

While females can carry hemophilia, it is unlikely that they have the disorder. It occurs in females only if both their X chromosomes have the defect, and that is a very rare possibility. A spontaneous gene mutation can also lead to hemophilia in some cases.

If the body of an individual forms antibodies to the factors that are responsible for clotting of blood, hemophilia can develop.

A similar disease to hemophilia, that is a rare occurrence, is known as the Von Willebrand disease. In this too, the patient bleeds without any reason and the bleeding could be in the form of nosebleeds, excessive menstrual periods, and bleeding gums. Overall, approximately 1% of the country’s population is affected by this disease. As opposed to hemophilia, this condition affects both men and women equally.

To sum up, this information on the common early symptoms and causes of hemophilia should help you be better prepared when dealing with the condition.