World Thalassemia Day: All you need to know about the disease that kills thousands

World 10:35 AM - 2021-05-08

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Thalassemia refers to a blood disease that is primarily inherited. The condition results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin. The disorder concludes in the extreme damage of red blood cells, which leads to a condition when your body doesn’t have sufficient regular healthy red blood cells. This condition in medical terms is called Anaemia.

 

Thalassemia runs into generations which means that you are likely to witness the disease if one of your parents has a history of braving the disease. Thalassemia is caused by the deletion of specific key gene fragments or via genetic mutation.

 

Thalassemia minor, on the other hand, is a less severe form of the disease. There are two main classes of thalassemia that are more dangerous, alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia. While in the former case, one of the alpha-globin genes has an abnormality or mutation in the latter, the beta-globin genes are affected.

 

Thalassemia happens when there’s an irregularity or modification in one of the genes associated with hemoglobin production. The disorder is primarily inherited by individuals from their parents.

 

There are significant chances of developing a minor variant of the disease if only one of your parents is a carrier for the disorder. If this happens, you may not face any symptoms but will continue to serve as a carrier. In some cases, individuals may also face symptoms in the case of Thalassemia minor.

 

Both classes of thalassemia have several subtypes. The severity of symptoms depends on the exact form you are suffering from. While the symptoms in each case can differ, here are some of the most prevalent ones:

 

-Dark-colored urine

-Slowed body growth and development

-Extreme fatigue and tiredness

-Pale or yellow-colored skin

-The treatment for thalassemia varies on the severity and type of the disease being faced by an individual.

 

Here are some of the several popular types of treatments:

 

-Transfusion of blood

-Supplements and medications

-Surgery to remove the affected parts

-Transplantation of bone marrow

 

May 8 is observed as World Thalassemia Day every year. The day commemorates the struggles of the patients suffering from this genetic disorder and raises awareness about the disease and its symptoms. This global observance also honors the longstanding efforts of doctors, other medical staff dedicated to better the lives of patients from the disease, and scientists bringing new advancements in the field to eradicate the disease.

 

When was the day set?

In the year 1994, the Thalassemia International Federation established May 8 as International Thalassemia Day. The day was declared an International observance in the loving memory of George Englezos and all thalassemia patients who fought the disease and while confronting the social stigma attached to it achieved both personal and professional success in life. George was the son of thalassemia International Federation’s (TIF) president and founder, Panos Englezos, and worked as a scientist.

 

Theme

Every year since 1994, Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) sets a theme for International Thalassemia Day and organizes numerous activities based on that particular theme.

 

These campaign drives aim at promoting awareness among the masses and drawing the world’s attention towards the severity of the disease to accelerate discussions and execute plans related to its prevention, management, and treatment.

 

This year’s theme is “Addressing Health Inequalities Across the Global Thalassemia Community”.

 

 

 

PUKmedia / News18