Healthy
Living

You’ve got big plans for the future and are pulling out all the stops to make them real. Now’s the time to keep your mind and your body tuned up. With a little help along the way, you can stay on track and manage your health. Let’s get started!

Hear Grant discuss the role his mom played as he made his final decision.

Education Advantage Video

Stressing about gaining the “freshman 15”? Get advice from Grant about staying fit in school and dealing with stress.

  • Exercise

    Think you have to sit on the sidelines? Recent medical research says exercise can actually help prevent joint bleeds by making bones stronger. Some of the sports included in the study were circuit weight training, cycling, golf, swimming, baseball and running.1*

    Stay strong, feel strong. Exercise matters.2

    • Increase energy, avoid weight gain, and reduce stress.
    • Strengthen muscles around the joints to prevent joint damage.
    • Enjoy sports and games with new friends.

    Being in college likely means access to some great workout equipment and fitness opportunities. Be sure to find out what is available at your school. Be sure to also:

    • Discuss sports and exercise programs with your HTC care team to pick your best options.
    • Recognize early signs of a bleed, know what to do and make sure others are ready to help.
    • Condition yourself gradually, warm up, cool down, drink fluids, and avoid extreme temperatures.
    • Track your workouts, set goals and see how many calories you’re burning.

    Get a copy of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) guide: Playing It Safe: Bleeding Disorders, Sports and Exercise

    Learn more about sports and exercise in hemophilia

    *Note: Not all activities are appropriate for all people. Be sure to consult your physician or treatment center before beginning any exercise program or participating in sporting activities. If an injury occurs, contact your physician or treatment center immediately for the appropriate treatment.

  • Nutrition

    The “freshman 15” is a hazard any new student faces. Obesity is epidemic—and people with hemophilia are almost twice as likely to be overweight.3

    Shut the door on extra weight gain. Just a few extra pounds can increase the severity of hemophilia and risk of loss of joint mobility.3,4

    Fortunately, eating healthy is easy and enjoyable if you learn how.3 Spend a few minutes now to get started.

    • Eat a low-fat diet based on plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
    • Limit your intake of processed foods, salt, sugar, fats and animal products that are high in cholesterol.
    • Talk to your HTC care team about diet choices.
    • Download a guide to the Body Mass Index (BMI) chart to find your healthy weight range and food tips
    Here are some easy switches to make5:
    Instead of high-fat, processed foods…
    Try something healthy and nutritious
    Donuts, sweet rolls or pastries
    English muffins, bagels, reduced-fat or fat-free muffins or scones
    Chips
    Popcorn (air-popped or light microwavable)
    Oil-packed tuna
    Water-packed tuna
    Cream soups
    Broth-based soups
    Fried chicken
    Skinless chicken
    Pasta with white sauce (alfredo)
    Pasta with red sauce (marinara)
    Ice cream
    Fruits
    Regular mayonnaise
    Light or diet mayonnaise or mustard

    See the whole list that shows foods you can swap for your old favorites

  • Care Team

    Stick to your regular treatment regimen to treat bleeds right away. Your annual comprehensive clinic visit is also a requirement for keeping an Education Advantage program scholarship!

    Find a local hemophilia treatment center.

    • Receiving care in a hemophilia treatment center can help you prevent and avoid bleeding complications.6
    • Your treatment center will have a number of people on staff to help you manage your condition: hematologist, nurse coordinator, social worker, orthopedist, and other specialists.
    • Keep up with annual exams.
    • Stay in touch with your care team and let them know of any concerns you may have.

    Remember routine dental care.

    • Skipping brushing and flossing may seem tempting at the end of a long day, but those few extra minutes can help prevent gum bleeds.7
    • Learn how important dental care is for people with hemophilia.
    • Keep your dentist informed! Created with Dr. Melissa Kennell, a dentist and a mom in the hemophilia community, this form is a great way to provide your dental care provider with critical medical information and emergency contact information. Print a copy for your dentist.
    • Visit your dentist regularly. Schedule visits while you are home from school, or work with your HTC to find a dentist close to campus.

    Learn how to care for yourself if needed.

    • Taking the proper steps to treat bleeds on your own makes it less likely you’ll be admitted to the hospital for a bleeding complication.8

  • Insurance

    Become familiar with your current insurance coverage. You may no longer be covered by your parents’ plan, or you may be “out of network” while away at school, which can increase medical costs.

    Here are some steps you can take:

    • Talk to your parents about your coverage under their current health plan.
    • Get in touch with your insurance provider regarding healthcare networks and hemophilia treatment centers.
    • Look up a local hemophilia treatment center.

    If you need additional support, these resources are here for you.

    • Contact the Bleeding Disorders Legal Hotline (1-800-520-6154), a confidential hotline staffed by experts in legal and workplace issues that’s run by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) through exclusive support from Baxter.
    • HANDI (1-800-42HANDI) is the National Hemophilia Foundation’s information resource center for answers to your insurance questions.

    Get help managing complex health insurance issues.

    • Baxter’s CARE Program helps to ensure access to treatment and advocacy for people living with hemophilia.
    • Regardless of your current therapy, the CARE program can help you with coverage, assistance, resources and education.

      • Enroll in the CARE program. Call 1-888-BAXTER9 or enroll online.

  1. Ross C, Goldenberg NA, Hund D, Manco-Johnson MJ. Athletic participation in severe hemophilia: Bleeding and joint outcomes in children on prophylaxis. Pediatrics. 2009;124 (5):1267–1272.
  2. World Federation of Hemophilia. Exercises For People With Hemophilia. http://www.wfh.org/2/docs/Publications/General_Guides/Exercise_Guide_med.pdf. Accessed May 2, 2011.
  3. National Hemophilia Foundation. Exercise and Nutrition Fact Sheet. http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/Resource/StaticPages/menu0/menu8/menu125/Exercise%20and%20Nutrition%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf. Accessed May 2, 2011.
  4. National Hemophilia Foundation. Our Kids and Obesity. http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/Resource/StaticPages/menu0/menu8/menu125/OurKidsAndObesity_12_05.pdf. Accessed May 2, 2011.
  5. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Low-Calorie, Lower Fat Alternative Foods. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/lcal_fat.htm. Accessed April 18, 2011.
  6. National Hemophilia Foundation. A Model of Care. http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/Resource/StaticPages/menu0/menu8/menu125/aModelOfCare_6_06.pdf. Accessed May 2, 2011.
  7. World Federation of Hemophilia. Oral care for people with hemophilia or a hereditary bleeding tendency. 2008. http://www.wfh.org/2/docs/Publications/Dental_Care/TOH-27_Oral-Care-Revised2008.pdf. Accessed April 18, 2011.
  8. National Hemophilia Foundation. Early and Adequate Treatment. http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=125&contentid=145. Accessed May 2, 2011