Bleeding disorders
Treatments / Bleeding disorders
What is Bleeding disorders
Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions that affect the blood’s ability to clot, leading to prolonged or excessive bleeding. Normally, when a blood vessel is injured, the body’s clotting process stop the bleeding. However, in individuals with bleeding disorders, the clotting process is impaired, making it difficult to control bleeding.
Hemophilia is characterized by abnormal bleeding or is associated with the body’s inability to the make clots. An inherited condition, hemophilia is usually found to be common in males.
What are the symptoms of Bleeding disorders?
Bleeding disorders manifests in various forms, each with its own set of signs and symptoms, which can vary in severity:
- Prolonged or heavy bleeding after injury or surgery
- Easy bruising or petechiae (small blood spots)
- Joint pain or swelling (hemophilia)
- Nosebleeds or gastrointestinal bleeding
Causes
Medical conditions, procedures, and medicines can cause bleeding disorders. Some medical conditions or medicines that lead to the bleeding disorders cause your body to the produce proteins, called antibodies and inhibitors, that can block clotting factors.
- Genetic inheritance (hemophilia, VWD)
- Acquired conditions (e.g., liver disease, vitamin K deficiency)
- Trauma or injury
- Certain medications (e.g., anticoagulants, aspirin)
How is Bleeding disorders treated?
- Replacement therapy (e.g., factor VIII or IX infusions)
- Desmopressin (DDAVP) for mild hemophilia A or VWD
- Antifibrinolytic agents (e.g., tranexamic acid)
- Platelet transfusions (for platelet disorders)
- Avoiding certain medications or activities