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Thalassemia
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Treatments
Treatments for thalassemias depend on the type
and severity of the disorder. People who are
carriers or who have alpha or beta thalassemia
trait have mild or no symptoms. They need little
or no treatment.
Doctors use three standard treatments for
moderate and severe forms of thalassemia. These
include blood transfusions, iron chelation (ke-LAY-shun)
therapy, and folic acid supplements. Other
treatments have been developed or are being
tested, but they're used much less often.
Standard Treatments
Possible Future Treatments
Researchers are working to find new treatments
for thalassemias. For example, it may be
possible someday to insert a normal hemoglobin
gene into stem cells in bone marrow. This will
allow people to make their own healthy red blood
cells and hemoglobin.
Researchers also are studying ways to trigger a
person's ability to make fetal hemoglobin after
birth. This type of hemoglobin is found in
fetuses and newborns. After birth, the body
switches to making adult hemoglobin. Making more
fetal hemoglobin may make up for the lack of
healthy adult hemoglobin.
Treating Complications
Better treatments now allow people who have
moderate and severe thalassemias to live much
longer. As a result, these people must cope with
complications that occur over time.
An important part of managing thalassemias is
treating complications. Treatment may be needed
for heart or liver diseases, infections,
osteoporosis, and other problems.
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Thalassemia
