What are Bleeding Disorders?

• Conditions that affect the blood’s ability to clot properly
• Can cause excessive or prolonged bleeding
• May be inherited or acquired
• Severity ranges from mild to life-threatening
• Often diagnosed in childhood but can develop later in life

What causes Bleeding Disorders?

Inherited causes

• Genetic mutations affecting clotting factors
• Passed from parents to children

Acquired causes

• Liver disease
• Vitamin K deficiency
• Side effects of blood-thinning medications
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain cancers or infections

Common types of Bleeding Disorders

Hemophilia

• Deficiency of clotting factor VIII or IX
• Mostly affects males
• Causes spontaneous bleeding and joint bleeds

von Willebrand Disease

• Deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor
• Affects both men and women
• Most common inherited bleeding disorder

Platelet disorders

• Low platelet count or platelet dysfunction
• Includes thrombocytopenia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

• Abnormal clotting and bleeding occurring simultaneously
• Often triggered by severe infection or trauma

What are the symptoms of Bleeding Disorders?

• Easy bruising
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts or surgery
• Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
• Blood in urine or stool
• Joint swelling or pain from internal bleeding
• Bleeding gums after brushing teeth

How are Bleeding Disorders diagnosed?

• Review of personal and family medical history
• Physical examination
• Blood clotting tests including PT and aPTT
• Platelet count and function tests
• Genetic testing for inherited conditions
• Factor assays to measure specific clotting proteins

How are Bleeding Disorders treated?

Medications

• Replacement therapy with clotting factors
• Desmopressin for von Willebrand disease
• Antifibrinolytics to prevent clot breakdown
• Immunosuppressants for autoimmune-related disorders

Supportive care

• Avoiding medications that affect clotting like aspirin
• Treating underlying conditions like liver disease
• Managing menstrual bleeding with hormonal therapy
• Regular follow-up with a hematologist

Emergency treatment

• Rapid clotting factor replacement during bleeding episodes
• Blood transfusions if needed
• Hospitalization for severe bleeding or complications

What are the complications of Bleeding Disorders?

• Joint damage from repeated bleeding
• Anemia
• Bleeding in the brain or internal organs
• Delayed wound healing
• Emotional and social impact due to activity limitations

How can Bleeding Disorders be managed and prevented?

• Early diagnosis and education
• Safe physical activity to protect joints
• Wearing medical ID tags
• Avoiding contact sports or high-risk activities
• Genetic counseling for families with inherited disorders
• Preventive (prophylactic) treatment in severe cases

When to see a doctor?

• Unusual or excessive bleeding after injury or surgery
• Frequent nosebleeds or easy bruising
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Family history of bleeding disorders
• Sudden joint pain or swelling without injury