Hemochromatosis causes 524 liver cancers each year. It is characterized by the absorption of excess iron by the body but it remains silent for many years.
Hemochromatosis, widespread and yet unrecognized. This genetic disease affects one in 300 French people but half of the patients are unaware that they suffer from it. Without treatment, it represents a real danger: hemochromatosis causes complications in one in three cases and causes 524 liver cancers each year.
Men more at risk
Hemochromatosis is “not a rare disease” according to the site Orphanet (PDF link), it is even the first genetic disease in France. As it evolves very gradually, the first symptoms often appear after 40 years. During this time, the intestine absorbs too much iron until it reaches a dose that is toxic for the organs. This is when symptoms appear, the nature of which varies according to the organs affected by the excess iron: chronic fatigue, transient joint pain, dark and grayish skin, increase in the volume of the heart or liver, reduction in the production of iron. ‘insulin…
Hemochromatosis does not affect all French people equally. Three men are affected for a woman and the disease manifests itself especially in the Breton departments and the Gard, reports Orphanet. In women, it often changes less quickly; in fact, blood loss associated with menstruation and pregnancy reduces the iron level in the blood. Male sex is considered to be an aggravating factor, along with alcoholism or metabolic syndrome (abdominal overweight, high triglycerides, hypertension, low LDL, high blood sugar).
A long list of complications
If left untreated, hemochromatosis is synonymous with complications. The excess iron attacks certain organs such as the liver, the heart … but also the skin! Most often, patients suffer from joint destruction (75%). The second most common complication is type 2 diabetes (15%) or cirrhosis of the liver (15%). It is also the most serious complication because it degenerates into liver cancer in 5% of cases. There are also a good number of heart failure patients among hemochromatosis patients.
It is impossible to prevent the development of the disease. On the other hand, regular measurement of the iron level in the body, through routine examinations in adults, can detect it early. Doctors can then start the only treatment available for the disease. These are bleeding, regular blood samples, which reduce the amount of iron accumulated in the body. Without curing hemochromatosis, this technique can at least stabilize it. Recommendations accompany such treatment. Patients should avoid heavy drinking of alcoholic beverages and never take iron supplements. They are also advised to get the hepatitis B vaccine to reduce the risk of complications.
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