showcase September 2016 68 www.womanthismonth.com Reem Buqais-Rivera Mai & Danah Dana & Lama Mariam & Hana Mohammed & Sara Ramah Al Husseini Fashion & Art Show Reem Buqais-Rivera and Ramah Al Husseini launched their Spring/Summer 2016 Collaborative Collection at Akkas Gallery, Saar. Nawaf & Jihad Dr Basma Atef Younes explains a common blood disorder. MIDDLE EAST MEDICAL CENTER LIVING WITH THALASSAEMIA Thalassaemias are inherited blood disorders in which the body produces fewer healthy red blood cells and less haemoglobin, an iron-rich protein which carries oxygen around the body. Low levels of haemoglobin result in anaemia. Haemoglobin is made of two proteins: alpha globin and beta globin. Thalassaemia occurs when there is a defect in a gene that helps control their production. There are two main types of thalassemia – alpha and beta – which include two types: major and minor (traits). Sufferers must inherit the gene defect from both parents to develop thalassaemia major. The minor form occurs if the faulty gene comes from only one parent. Those affected are carriers and mostly do not have symptoms which include fatigue, weakness, paleness, jaundice, facial bone deformities, slow growth, abdominal swelling and dark urine. Complications of the disease include an enlarged spleen, due to extra work; blood infections, particularly if many transfusions are needed; bone deformities and osteoporosis; and too much iron in the blood which can cause damage to the heart, liver or endocrine system. If thalassaemia is suspected your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for an enlarged spleen and a blood sample will be sent to a laboratory to be tested. Prenatal testing is also available to detect the disease in unborn babies. Chronic villus sampling involves removing a tiny piece of the placenta and is usually done around the 11th week, while amniocentesis, to test the fluid surrounding the foetus, is performed at 16 weeks. Treatments: l No treatment – for those with thalassaemia traits and little or no anaemia. l Blood transfusion – lifelong for those with the severe form. l Chelation therapy – to manage iron overload related to frequent blood transfusions. l Management of vitamin E and folate deficiency. l Stem cell transplantation – used in selected patients. l Splenectomy – may be indicated in patients with high transfusion requirements. Call 17 464-848. Dr Basma Atef Younes
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