Page 6 - BloodBrothers
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ABOUT BLEEDING DISORDERS
Ableeding disorder is present when the blood does not clot WHAT IS VON
properly. Blood clotting is a complex process that involves WILLEBRAND DISEASE?
as many as 20 different plasma proteins. All clotting proteins
and platelets need to work effectively and in the correct order Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is the
to form a proper clot that is strong enough to stop bleeding. most common type of bleeding disor-
A bleeding disorder occurs when the body is unable to activate der, affecting an estimated 1% of the
the entire “clotting cascade” correctly. world’s population.
WHAT IS HEMOPHILIA? VWD affects males and females equal-
ly. However, because symptoms can
Hemophilia is very rare—only about 20,000 Americans have the be mild, many people affected have
condition—and affects mostly males. not been diagnosed. People with vWD
have decreased or malfunctioning von
Hemophilia affects 1 in 5,000 male births in the U.S. and ap- Willebrand Factor (vWF) activity and
proximately 400 babies are born with hemophilia each therefore cannot form a proper plate-
year. All races and economic groups are affected equally. let plug.
People with hemophilia who have access to factor replacement
therapy have a normal life expectancy. SYMPTOMS OF A
BLEEDING DISORDER
TYPES OF HEMOPHILIA
A person with hemophilia can bleed
Bleeding disorders are treated differently depending on what inside or outside of the body. People
protein is missing in the blood. Hemophilia is one of the most with hemophilia do not bleed faster,
common bleeding disorders and is classified as follows: they just bleed longer. The most com-
mon types of bleeds are into the joints
• H emophilia A—Also called classic hemophilia, it is four times and muscles. Other symptoms in-
more common than Hemophilia B, and it occurs when factor clude: nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding
VIII levels are deficient. from minor cuts, bleeding that stops
and resumes after stopping for only
• H emophilia B—Also called Christmas disease, it occurs when a short time, blood in the urine, blood
factor IX levels are deficient. in the stool, large bruises, hematomas,
unexplained bruising, and excessive
• H emophilia C—It occurs when factor XI levels are deficient. bleeding with dental work or tooth
extraction.
• A cquired hemophilia—A person can develop hemophilia
as a result of illness, medications, or pregnancy. Acquired
hemophilia is extremely rare and usually resolves itself
with proper diagnosis and treatment.
For more information about bleeding disorders and the bleeding disorders community,
please visit: www.hemophiliafed.org
6 HEMOPHILIA FEDERATION OF AMERICA
