Classical hemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder characterized by a deficiency in clotting factor VIII. The spelling of "classical hemophilia" can be explained through IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈklæsɪkəl hiːməˈfɪliə/. The stress is on the first syllable, the /s/ sound is followed by a /k/ sound, and the vowel in the second syllable is pronounced as a long /iː/ sound. The word "hemophilia" itself can be broken down further in IPA as /hiːməˈfɪliə/ with the stress on the second syllable and a long /iː/ sound.
Classical hemophilia, also known as hemophilia A, is a genetic blood clotting disorder that primarily affects males. It is characterized by a deficiency or absence of clotting factor VIII (FVIII), an essential protein responsible for the clotting of blood. This deficiency leads to delayed or uncontrolled bleeding, both internally and externally, even from minor injuries or spontaneous bleeding.
In classical hemophilia, the severity of symptoms can vary among individuals. Mild cases may only experience excessive bleeding from significant injuries or surgeries, while severe cases may suffer from frequent spontaneous bleeding, especially into joints and muscles, leading to chronic pain and joint damage over time.
Symptoms of classical hemophilia may include prolonged bleeding after injuries, nosebleeds, easy bruising, blood in urine or stool, joint pain, and excessive bleeding after dental or surgical procedures. Diagnosis of classical hemophilia is confirmed through blood tests that measure the level of FVIII activity in the blood.
Treatment for classical hemophilia involves replacement therapy, which entails injecting clotting factor concentrates into the bloodstream to restore the deficient FVIII levels. Regular prophylactic infusions or on-demand treatments may be prescribed to prevent or manage bleeding episodes, respectively. Additionally, physical therapy and joint protection techniques are often recommended to manage joint damage and improve quality of life for individuals with classical hemophilia.
The word "hemophilia" has its roots in the Greek language. It comes from the combination of two Greek words: "haima" meaning "blood" and "philos" meaning "loving". Thus, "hemophilia" translates to "a love or affinity for blood".
The term "classical" in "classical hemophilia" is used to distinguish this specific type of hemophilia from other forms. Classical hemophilia is officially known as Hemophilia A and is characterized by a deficiency in coagulation factor VIII, a protein necessary for blood clotting. The term "classical" simply refers to the traditional or well-known form of hemophilia that was identified before the discovery of other types and subtypes.