Question

at this pojnt what do you think would be some concernse for the physical therapists when seeing patients with hemochromatosis?

Answer 1

Hemochromatosis:

The disease that occurs due to excessive absorption of Iron beyond body’s needs, is called Hemochromatosis. The condition may become lethal to the body as the body can’t expel out the excess Iron. This is primarily as a result of genetic disorder and the condition is carried over to the children from parents.

Arthralgia and fatigue are the early symptoms usually, for which the client seeks medical help. Once the condition has been diagnosed, the patient may need phlebotomy to let out excess blood to reduce the Iron content in the body.

The physical therapist concerns for the patient:

• There will be limitations for the tolerance of exercise for a hemochromatosis patient, especially after injury.
• The physical therapist should contact the client’s hematologist to consult on an injury happened to the client.
• The physical therapist (PT) must understand that there can be gradual onset of fatigue and pain
• The PT should monitor the exercise tolerance of the patient
• Assess for signs of low serum Iron levels like shortness of breath and fatigue, or changes in cardiac health. The physical activities of the client must be increased or decreased tracking strictly to client’s tolerance.
• The client with hereditary hemochromatosis is at risk for systolic and diastolic dysfunction.
• A patient with systolic dysfunction has compromised exercise capacity. The physical therapist must be aware of it, and should not strain the patient.
• In case of asymptomatic patients, exercise tolerance may be like that of healthy patient, but always look for any symptom developing.
• Patients after undergoing phlebotomy treatment also, can retain the exercises as per the schedule.

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