Thalassemia is a genetic disorder inherited from ancestors. Hemoglobin plays a vital role in carrying oxygen to different parts of the body through red blood cells. In thalassemia, which is one of the main types of anemia, the count of hemoglobin is less than normal. This causes a deficiency in transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, leaving it tired. Individuals with mild thalassemia do not require treatment; however, individuals with severe forms need medical attention. This sometimes includes blood transfusion. Eating healthy food, regular exercise, and medications help to improve the condition.

Symptoms of thalassemia
There are many types of thalassemia and its symptoms differ depending upon the severity of the disease. Symptoms of thalassemia are seen immediately after birth in most infants. Many of them develop the signs during their growth in the first two years. Some of the common symptoms of this main type of anemia are:

• Tiredness
• Feeling weak or fragile
• Skin color appearing yellow and pale
• Deformation of facial bone
• Delay in growth
• Swelling in abdomen
• Passing dark urine

Causes of thalassemia
This main type of anemia is not contagious and its symptoms and signs depend on the complication of the disease. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder caused due to mutations in the DNA of cells that are responsible for the formation of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin cells are made of alpha and beta proteins or chains that are affected during the mutation process. This abnormality causes two types of thalassemia which are:

• Alpha thalassemia
  In this type of thalassemia, the hemoglobin cells contain fewer alpha proteins than normal.
• Beta thalassemia
  In this type of thalassemia, the hemoglobin cells contain fewer beta proteins than normal.

Complications of thalassemia
The complications depend on the severity of the disease. Certain complications during a moderate to severe thalassemia are:

• Excess storage of iron
  Because of the mutation disorder and frequent blood transfusion, patients’ bodies get to store excessive iron. Increased iron levels in the body can lead to heart, endocrine, and liver damage. This also disturbs the hormonal production in the body.
• Prone to infections
  Patients suffering from thalassemia are prone to infections easily. This condition is true for those who have had their spleen removed.

Some of the major complications of severe thalassemia are:

• Deformation of the bone
  An abnormal bone structure in the face and skull are found in those who suffer from severe thalassemia. This condition occurs due to the expansion of bone marrow that widens the bones. The expansion of bone marrow reduces the thickness of the bone, making it fragile. This increases the chances of bone damage.
• Broadened or enlarged spleen
  Spleen plays an important role in fighting against infection and filtering waste from the body. Because of the destruction of red blood cells in large quantities in thalassemia, the spleen enlarges. This increases the chances of infection and can worsen anemia as it reduces the life span of healthy transfused red blood cells. If the spleen grows beyond tolerable size, doctors often recommend surgery to remove it.

Thalassemia also increases the chance of heart problems and reduces the speed of growth in a child.