Hemochromatosis is a disorder in which the intestines absorb too much iron. The information in this eMedTV Web page discusses the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition and provides links to more information.
Because there are different types of the disease, there are different causes of hemochromatosis. This eMedTV Web page explains these different causes and also discusses juvenile and neonatal hemochromatosis, the causes of which are unknown.
As this eMedTV page explains, if a child inherits a mutated hemochromatosis gene from each parent, he or she may develop the condition later in life. This page also explains how people who only have one mutated gene are usually silent carriers.
Symptoms of hemochromatosis range from fatigue to abdominal pain to heart problems. This eMedTV Web page describes conditions that are possible indicators of both early and advanced stages of hemochromatosis -- and why they often go overlooked.
When making a hemochromatosis diagnosis, the doctor often orders blood tests to rule out other conditions. This eMedTV page explains the process and tests uses to either confirm or rule out this disease, including blood tests and a liver biopsy.
The initial treatment for hemochromatosis is called phlebotomy, which is taking blood. This portion of the eMedTV archives discusses which doctors are involved with treating hemochromatosis and things to avoid during treatment, such as alcohol.
The information in this eMedTV Web page offers tips for following a hemochromatosis diet (which should not replace regular treatment). Recommendations are made with regards to vitamin C supplementation, foods to avoid, and alcohol intake.
Anyone who has a close relative with hemochromatosis should consider being screened for the gene. This eMedTV page explains why these people should have a screening for hemochromatosis and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of current tests.
This eMedTV segment covers current areas of focus of hemochromatosis research: genetic mutations and the role of iron in organ damage. The goals of this research are to find more effective treatments and to answer questions about the disease.
This eMedTV resource offers statistics on hemochromatosis and who it affects. Certain groups of people are more likely to develop the condition than others -- for example, Caucasian men -- but other ethnic groups are also affected.
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