Serious Warning Signs Of Thalassemia

Bone Deformities In The Face

Bone deformities in the face can be characteristic of an individual affected by thalassemia. The bone marrow produces most blood cells inside of large bones throughout the body. Because thalassemia patients cannot produce enough blood cells to replace the ones dying quicker than normal, their body attempts to compensate. One way of doing so is by increased production of erythroid cells or immature blood cells in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is located in the intramedullary canal or center canal of the bones. This increased production causes the intramedullary canal in the bones to enlarge and swell, while the hard outer layer of the bone becomes thinner. This compensatory mechanism may not be easily noticeable in most bones around the body because they are covered by muscle and other tissues. However, the carefully orchestrated shape of the facial bones can show even minimal changes as the affected individual's bone marrow swells. The most common manifestation of this type of deformity is an enlarged maxillary or jaw bone that causes an overbite, increases the space between teeth, and results in malocclusion.

Continue to reveal additional symptoms of thalassemia now.

Fatigue And Weakness

Individuals with thalassemia often present with chronic fatigue and weakness. This fatigue and weakness occur when the patient experiences anemia as a complication of their condition. Anemia is a term used to characterize any individual who does not have enough functional, healthy red blood cells. Anemia can develop from numerous causes, including the effects of thalassemia on the body. Thalassemia patients cannot produce adequate amounts of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is required for red blood cells to perform their functions and live out their average lifespan. Because the red blood cells produced in individuals with thalassemia cannot carry oxygen and die quickly, they do not have enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia results in a low oxygen concentration in the blood because the small number of healthy red blood cells cannot deliver an oxygen supply to all of the tissues around the body. Without enough oxygen, cells are unable to convert nutrients into cellular energy. When there isn't enough cellular energy, the body uses what it has for the operation of vital functions. The shortage of energy in non-essential tissues causes the anemic individual to feel fatigued and weak.

Read more about identifying thalassemia now.