Hemophilia B, also called Christmas disease, is caused by mutations in the F9 gene that causes clotting factor IX deficiency. It is an inherited bleeding disorder.
Until 1952, researchers thought there was only one type of hemophilia. Coagulation researchers Rosemary Biggs and Robert McFarlane discovered a 5-year-old Canadian boy had another form of hemophilia. They named it after the boy, Stephen Christmas, and it became known as hemophilia B.
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Bleeding is a sign that your blood is not clotting properly, a condition called hemophilia. The most common type of hemophilia is caused by a lack of a blood protein called factor VIII. It is named classic hemophilia or factor VIII deficiency. Another type of hemophilia is caused by the lack of a blood protein called factor IX. It is called hemophilia B or Christmas disease, and it is almost always inherited.
The most common bleeding symptoms in people with hemophilia include excessive bruising, spontaneous bleeding from minor injuries or accidents, and heavy menstrual periods (heavy bleeding during pregnancy is rare). In some cases, a person with hemophilia may not have any obvious symptoms, but the blood loss may be hidden under other health problems or illnesses.
Arterial and venous bleeding can be severe and life-threatening, and require immediate medical attention. Other types of bleeding can be milder and less severe, and are easy to control by applying pressure or using certain medications. Bleeding symptoms vary in intensity from one person to another, depending on the location and type of bleed.
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Pain is a sensation sent to the brain by specialized nerve receptors called nociceptors (no-SEP-turz). The skin has hundreds of these nociceptors. Pain is a warning signal that tells you something may be wrong. Pain can feel like a sharp prick, a sting, a burn or an ache. It may be constant or it may come and go. Pain is often caused by injury, disease or overuse. It can also be part of a long-term medical condition, like sickle cell disease or fibromyalgia.
Types of pain include mild, moderate and severe. Mild pain is annoying but doesn’t interfere with daily activities. Moderate pain is strong enough to interfere with normal activities but you can still manage them if you concentrate. Severe pain limits your ability to move or think and can be disabling.
Symptoms of Christmas Disease include excessive bleeding episodes and the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria). Treatment options for this hereditary bleeding disorder include antifibrinolytic agents, such as tranexamic acid, to stabilize clots and prevent their premature breakdown and gene therapy, which introduces functional copies of the factor IX gene into cells to produce functional F9. Other treatments for this disease are clotting factors, such as replacement hemoglobin and low-dose clotting factor concentrates.
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Fever is a sign that your body’s immune system has been activated. It’s your body’s way of killing germs and bacteria. Fevers may also be caused by allergies, autoimmune disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), medication side effects, blood clots or hormone disorders. Fevers in children can also be signs of certain infections, such as ear, throat or urinary tract infections.
Hemophilia B, also called Christmas Disease, is a genetic disorder that affects your blood’s ability to clot. People with hemophilia B have little or no factor IX, a clotting protein that’s usually produced on the X chromosome. This can cause extended or spontaneous bleeding episodes.
Hemophilia B can be passed down from parents to their children, or it can occur because of a mutation in a gene. It is sometimes referred to as the “royal disease” because many European royals are believed to have carried or had hemophilia B, including Queen Victoria and Alexei Nikolaevich, the former Tsar of Russia. Hemophilia B can be managed with replacement of the deficient factor and other treatments to prevent and control bleeding episodes.
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Nausea is a feeling of queasiness that often accompanies the urge to vomit. It is not a disease itself, but a symptom of many conditions, such as gastroenteritis, food poisoning, motion sickness and autonomic disorders. Nausea can also occur with some medications, including some antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs.
Nausea can sometimes be accompanied by diarrhea and malaise. It is usually a symptom of gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroenteritis (also known as the stomach flu), food poisoning or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some women experience nausea during their periods. It can be a sign of dysmenorrhea or premenstrual syndrome.
The sensation of nausea can be triggered by many things, from extreme emotions like anxiety to certain smells or movements. Some triggers may include food or cooking smells, perfume and smoke. Drink lots of clear liquids to prevent dehydration and avoid foods that can make you feel sick, such as fatty, greasy or acidic foods. If the nausea doesn’t go away after trying over-the-counter treatments, contact your doctor. They may order a physical exam and blood tests to determine what is causing the nausea.
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Vomiting, or throwing up, is a forceful discharge of stomach contents through the mouth. It can be a single, isolated episode (acute) or a pattern of ongoing or recurring episodes (chronic). Vomiting is a serious symptom, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you have a lot of it, especially if you get dehydrated.
Diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever often happen along with vomiting. Some bacteria, like Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter, can cause gastroenteritis by releasing toxins (poisons) into food that isn’t stored properly.
Blood streaked or coffee ground vomit may indicate a cut or scrape on the esophagus or stomach. Yellow vomit can indicate bile reflux disease or liver or gallbladder problems.
A health care professional will take your medical history and do a physical exam to find out the cause of your vomiting. Tests and X-rays may be needed, depending on the underlying cause. If you are vomiting frequently, drink plenty of clear fluids or an oral rehydration solution to replace the fluids lost. Avoid foods with strong flavours, or those that are sweet, fatty or greasy.