Crawford County Memorial Hospital recently issued the following announcement.
Bleeding disorders’ is a general term used to describe various conditions. The most common bleeding disorder is hemophilia, which is a condition that causes the blood clotting process to slow down, leading to regular occurrences of heavy bleeding. Patients with hemophilia often suffer from uncontrollable bleeding after an injury, trauma, or surgery, get frequent nosebleeds, bruise easily, and can even suffer from spontaneous bleeding.
Some bleeding disorders are inherited such as Hemophilia A & B and von Willebrand disease (VWD). Approximately 20,000 patients in the U.S. are registered as having this disease and, around the world, hundreds of thousands of people suffer from hemophilia.
About Bleeding Disorders
When bleeding occurs, the body reacts by using platelets and proteins located within the blood to travel to the bleeding site. The platelets and proteins then begin to solidify to prevent further bleeding. They act as a sort of plug that blocks blood from exiting the injury site. Bleeding disorders complicate the blood clotting process, thus causing someone to bleed more than usual when injured.
Hemophilia A
Hemophilia A is a common genetic disorder. With hemophilia A, there is a lack or absence of a clotting protein. In many cases, children inherit this bleeding disorder form their parents. However, it is not unusual for the condition to develop after spontaneous genetic mutation.
Those with hemophilia A will bleed more than those who do not have the bleeding disorder. The severity of symptoms ranges from mild to severe. These bleeds not only occur externally but can occur internally as well, often in muscle tissue and bone joints.
Hemophilia A is a treatable condition, and doctors regularly inject concentrated versions of the clotting protein to create a balance in the bloodstream that aids in clotting.
Hemophilia B
Hemophilia B is also known as Christmas disease, although the condition has nothing to do with the Christmas holiday. Hemophilia B is a bleeding disorder in which there is an absence or a reduced amount of factor IX protein in the blood. Factor IX protein is a plasma protein that is vitamin K dependent.
Although not as common as hemophilia A, Christmas disease is a bleeding disorder that also hinders the ability of blood to clot properly. This form of hemophilia causes random, prolonged bleeding episodes. If not treated, hemophilia B can be fatal.
Symptoms of Christmas disease include excessive bleeding from injury or small cuts, excessive bruising, prolonged nosebleeds, painful joints caused by internal bleeding, and unexplained blood in urine or stool. Although there is no cure for hemophilia B, doctors can provide treatment to minimize the symptoms.
Von Willebrand Disease
Similar to hemophilia A, Von Willebrand disease is another bleeding disorder inherited through genetics. Just as with hemophilia A, a person with VW disease lacks the clotting protein. However, VW disease is a much milder condition. Patients may not even notice symptoms. VW disease is a lifelong disease that has no cure. Treatment for Von Willebrand disease is similar to that of hemophilia A, as are the symptoms.
Hemostatic Agents
Hemostatic agents offer an effective tool to stop excessive bleeding. Hemostats that work independent of the body’s natural clotting cascade may offer benefits to patients with impaired coagulation. Hemostats work through the absorption of fluid in the blood to create a robust mechanical gel-like clot.
Bleeding disorders rarely make life unbearable. With the right treatment, people with bleeding disorders can live a healthy life. It is important to see your family medicine provider if you have prolonged bleeding from a wound, and/or if you bruise easily. If you have don’t have a regular family medicine provider, contact the CCMH Medical Clinic at 712-265-2700 to schedule a consultation.
Original source can be found here.
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