Hemophilia is a condition in which the body’s normal blood-clotting mechanisms are absent, due to which blood continues to flow for a longer time in case of injuries. This can result in excessive loss of blood. Hemophilia is classified into three types. Hemophilia A is caused due to the lack of blood clotting factor VIII; hemophilia B is caused due to the absence of clotting factor IX; and hemophilia C is a result of the lack of clotting factor XI.

When battling hemophilia, the most important thing to remember is to be extra careful of your muscles and joints. Here are some lifestyle tips for hemophilia patients to help them maintain their condition effectively:

• Exercise

Moving the body and remaining active and fit is important for hemophilia patients. While contact sports and other potentially injurious activities must be avoided, regular mobility training and stretching can be helpful in improving muscle and bone strength. This will also help in keeping the joints active, while preventing any injury that may occur due to lack of mobility.

• Practice good dental hygiene

Maintaining your dental health and taking good care of your teeth and gums is a step in the right direction to avoid any accident that may lead to excessive bleeding. Regular visits to the dentist are essential in ensuring dental safety.

• Diet

Regulating a hemophilia patient’s diet can keep their weight in check. A majority of hemophilic patients are at the risk of suffering from obesity (hemophilia may indirectly cause weight gain if patients reduce their exercise or daily movements for fear of injury and bleeding) which may lead to muscle strains. Controlling portion sizes can make a good amount of difference in this case. A regular intake of fruits and vegetables is important in maintaining a healthy diet as these foods provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is also important to ensure that the patient is consuming enough whole grains in order to maintain a healthy level of smart carbohydrates. It is recommended that the patient avoids fried food as much as possible.

• Be careful of medications

Since hemophilia inhibits blood from clotting even under normal conditions, blood-thinning medications must be avoided at all costs. Medications containing heparin or warfarin as well as medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen are unsafe for patients with hemophilia. For pain relief purposes, acetaminophen is known to be the safest option. In any case, it is best to consult a doctor before taking any kind of medication.

• Children must be kept extra safe

Hemophilic children are more susceptible to experiencing excessive bleeding due to their active lifestyles. While one must not completely alter their life by not allowing them to play or be out, proper safety measures must be taken. Helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads for cycling and other sports, secure seatbelts in cars, as well as covering up or eliminating all sharp corners of the furniture in the house are some safety measures that can be taken to keep children battling hemophilia safe and healthy.