The disease that is also called Christmas disease is Hemophilia B that is named after Stephen Christmas.
Christmas is a disease because it was named after a 5 year old boy named Stephen Christmas who had hemophilia B.
Christmas disease is not related to the holiday Christmas but is simply named after the boy Stephen Christmas.
The Christmas disease is now known as and called Hemophilia B.
Hemophilia B is an inherited bleeding disorder and it happens when a gene that helps blood clot mutates or changes.
People with hemophilia B do not have the usual amount of a blood protein that helps blood clot.
This protein is a clotting factor.
Clotting factors are specialized proteins needed for blood clotting, the process by which blood seals a wound to stop bleeding and promote healing.
Hemophilia can result in bleeding within joints that can lead to chronic joint disease and pain.
Bleeding in the head and sometimes in the brain which can cause long term problems, such as seizures and paralysis.
Death can occur if the bleeding cannot be stopped or if it occurs in a vital organ such as the brain.
The life expectancy for people with hemophilia is now similar to that of the general population.
Most people with hemophilia are able to live full and normal lives with proper treatment.
People with severe hemophilia are at the highest risk of serious bleeding.
Hemophilia primarily affects males, but a symptomatic form of hemophilia B in female carriers has also been described with a generally milder clinical picture.