Thalassemia – A Complicated Disease

Every year 8th May is celebrated across the world as World Thalassemia Day. The intention behind this celebration is to create awareness about this fatal disease amongst people of the world. This disease is herditary disease and this disease is formerly known as Thalassemia or Genetic Blood Disorder Group. 

Lets understand what is Thalassemia in detail, Hemoglobin – a red blood cell component which carries oxygen. Hemoglobin is formed of two proteins one is known as alpha and other is known as beta. During Thalassemia disease the body becomes unable to produce this proteins in sufficient quantity and thus insufficient amount of oxygen is carried which later results in Anemia. In Anemia disease production of fresh blood stops which creates obstacle in routine life.

Lacs of people across the world are suffering from this disease. 2.5 Lac people alone in Pakistan are suffering from this disease and they require blood bottles regularly. Also WHO (World Health Organization) had issued a warning that if this disease is not taken under control soon then it may became killer disease of this century. Patients suffering from this disease needs blood transfusion every week in order to live, this treatment is very expensive and risky. Also the patient suffers problem in rountine activities such as walking, running, thinking etc, and if somehow blood transfusion is not done within a week then it may turn into fatal situations.

What are Symptoms of Thalassemia?

A person suffering from this disease looks stressed and tensed due to reduction of blood levels in body. After blood transfusion the person looks fresh and normal. If anyone from couple either husband or wife is Thalassemic then child gets higher chances of being Thalassemic. The person suffering from this disease faces problems socially as well as economically. Nobody wants to marry with such a person so this is how he is affected socially and due to high expenses of this treatment the person gets affected economically.