Symptoms:
When a wound occurs, blood does not clot normally.
Early warning signs of internal bleeding include a bubbling or tingling sensation or a feeling of warmth, tightness, or stiffness in the hemorrhaging area.

Headache, confusion, drowsiness, or a blow to the head may indicate bleeding in the head.

If your hemophiliac child cries for no apparent reason, refuses to walk, use his arm or leg, or seems to have a swelling or unusual bruising, go to an emergency room.

Cause:
Hemophilia is hereditary. It primarily affects males and is passed down through females (who are carriers). Children of carriers have a 50% chance of inheriting the defective gene. If they inherit it, the boys will be hemophiliacs, and the girls will be carriers. The sons of hemophiliacs will not give the problem to their sons, but the daughters will always be carriers.

As many as two-thirds of all hemophiliacs, in America, have HIV. They contracted it from contaminated blood transfusion sources. About 450 babies are born with hemophilia each year.

The blood of hemophiliacs does not clot properly, but minor bleeding is not serious. It is internal bleeding that can be fatal, if not treated.

Bleeding frequently occurs in the knees, which causes painful swelling. Repeated swelling destroys the knee cartilage and results in a permanently stiff knee (called hemophiliac arthritis). Other joints can also be affected. Other body parts, including the brain, can also be affected by internal bleeding.

Treatment:
• Eat a diet high in vitamin K. Foods rich in K and other essential clotting factors include alfalfa, broccoli, egg yolks, kale, and all green leafy vegetables. Green drinks are also good for K and other essential clotting.

• The hemophiliac is given blood transfusions periodically to provide the missing blood factors.