Question
How should thalassemia patients cope? Families are concerned about this condition and worry about its progression, hoping to receive professional medical advice.
Answer
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder primarily found in countries around the Mediterranean and in Asia, with Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan in China being high-risk areas. The disease is divided into two main types: α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia, which are further categorized into four levels: very mild, mild, intermediate, and severe. If a patient inherits one or more abnormal genes from their parents, they may develop the condition. Thalassemia is transmitted only through genetic means and is not contagious. The treatment of thalassemia requires an individualized plan based on the severity of the disease. Mild cases may only require regular monitoring, while severe cases may necessitate regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Additionally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is currently the only method that can cure severe thalassemia, although this treatment carries higher risks.