Table of Contents
- 1 Can you live a normal life with thalassemia?
- 2 How long is the average lifespan of a person with thalassemia?
- 3 Do people with thalassemia die early?
- 4 Can thalassemia be cured?
- 5 How do thalassemia patients die?
- 6 How can I overcome thalassemia?
- 7 How can I improve my thalassemia?
- 8 Is there a special diet for thalassemia?
- 9 What is the difference between thalassemia minor and major?
- 10 How is thalassemia minor treated?
Can you live a normal life with thalassemia?
People who have mild or minor forms of thalassemia can typically lead normal lives. In severe cases, heart failure is a possibility. Other complications include liver disease, abnormal skeletal growth, and endocrine issues.
How long is the average lifespan of a person with thalassemia?
Persons with the thalassemia trait have a normal life expectancy. Persons with beta thalassemia major often die from cardiac complications of iron overload by 30 years of age.
Which type of thalassemia is not survivable?
Key points about alpha thalassemia This condition causes mild to severe anemia, based on the type of alpha thalassemia that is inherited. People who have this condition can pass the disease on to their children. There is no cure.
Do people with thalassemia die early?
Severe thalassemia can cause early death (between ages 20 and 30) due to heart failure. Getting regular blood transfusions and therapy to remove iron from the body helps improve the outcome. Less severe forms of thalassemia often do not shorten lifespan.
Can thalassemia be cured?
Stem cell or bone marrow transplants are the only cure for thalassaemia, but they’re not done very often because of the significant risks involved. Stem cells are produced in bone marrow, the spongy tissue found in the centre of some bones, and have the ability to develop into different types of blood cells.
Can you get thalassemia later in life?
When the disorder develops later during life, a diagnosis of beta thalassemia intermedia is given; individuals may only require blood transfusions on rare, specific instances. Beta thalassemia major, also known as Cooley’s anemia, is the most severe form of beta thalassemia.
How do thalassemia patients die?
The underlying causes of death in patients with TM include iron overload and excess serum ferritin [5], which lead to cardiac disease, liver and endocrine disorders, infection, thrombosis, anemia, malignancy, and eventually death [6-9].
How can I overcome thalassemia?
For moderate to severe thalassemia, treatments might include:
- Frequent blood transfusions. More severe forms of thalassemia often require frequent blood transfusions, possibly every few weeks.
- Chelation therapy. This is treatment to remove excess iron from your blood.
- Stem cell transplant.
Can thalassemia skip a generation?
Thalassemia is an inherited condition. The genes received from one’s parents before birth determine whether a person will have thalassemia. Thalassemia cannot be caught or passed on to another person.
How can I improve my thalassemia?
You can help manage your thalassemia by following your treatment plan and adopting healthy-living habits.
- Avoid excess iron. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t take vitamins or other supplements that contain iron.
- Eat a healthy diet. Healthy eating can help you feel better and boost your energy.
- Avoid infections.
Is there a special diet for thalassemia?
A low-fat, plant-based diet is the best choice for most people, including those with thalassemia. However, you may need to limit iron-rich foods if you already have high iron levels in your blood. Fish and meats are rich in iron, so you may need to limit these in your diet. You may also consider avoiding fortified cereals, breads, and juices.
What foods are good for thalassemia?
Liver tonics that are sweet and oily are best for thalassemia minor, especially coconut. Favor cooling summer berries like blueberries and strawberries. Mild bitters like well cooked kale cooked with coconut oil help flush liver toxicity without draining the liver of strength (ojas).
What is the difference between thalassemia minor and major?
• Thalassemia major patient is dependent on regular blood transfusion throughout life where as thalassemia minor is a healthy person but with slightly lower hemoglobin level. • Thalassemia major is caused by mutation of both hemoglobin genes where as thalassemia minor is caused by mutation of one gene.
How is thalassemia minor treated?
Normally, there are no treatments needed for the minor form of thalassemia. For thalassemia major, the primary treatment is regular blood transfusions, often every four weeks.