What is a Bleeding Disorder and How it Can Be Treated.

Bleeding disorders refer to the situation, when the clotting system of human body becomes incapable of restraining blood from various body parts. For instance, the main body parts suffering from these disorders are nose and gums. Apart from this, menstrual bleeding in excessive amount is also a sign of bleeding disorder. Another type of bleeding disorder occurs, when cut and wound sites are not plugged by clotting process to disallow the flow of blood.

Causes of Bleeding Disorders

There can be two main causes of bleeding disorder:

1-You might inherit it from your ancestors, known as genetic cause.

2-Non-genetic causes can develop antibodies in your blood, which weaken the clotting system of blood and lead to bleeding disorders. Some of these causes include damage to red blood cells and blood vessels, liver disease or kidney failure, eclampsia after pregnancy, low platelets, vitamin K deficiency and excessive use of drugs like aspirin.

Three common bleeding disorders are hemophilia A, hemophilia B and von Willebrand Disease. While first two disorders are common with men, the last one can affect both genders.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A is caused by missing clotting factor VIII from the blood, which leads to protracted bleeding. This disease is generally passed from mother to male child at the time of birth. The main symptoms of this bleeding disorder include unrestricted bleeding from cuts, wounds, gums and after dental or surgical procedures. The blood in excreted waste can also confirm the existence of this disorder. It can lead to damage of brain and death in severe cases.

In order to diagnose this disorder, the patient undergoes blood tests to measure the amount of clotting factor VIII in the blood. The treatment for this bleeding disorder has been developed with years of research.
 
1-Earlier, the donated blood, containing good percentage of clotting factor VIII was infused into the patient’s body, but this posed the threat of transfer of diseases like AIDS and others.

2-Today, the patient is injected with clotting factor VIII containing substance, known as synthetic blood, so that appropriate level of this element is acquired by the blood.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemophilia B

Though, less general than type A, Hemophilia B is still diagnosed in more than few men and is also known as Christmas disease. The main reason for its occurrence is deficiency of clotting factor IX. The symptoms again include excessive bleeding that doesn’t halt within expected time limit. Bleeding from nose, hemorrhage in urinary tracts and bruising, along with passing of blood during excretion are other common symptoms.

Blood tests, to know the damage caused to clotting factor IX, is recommended by doctors for the diagnoses of this disease. Plasma infusions and other recommended substances through injecting are recommended for treatment of patients suffering from type B disorder, to refurbish the amount of missing clotting factor.

Von Willebrand Disease
 
The deficiency of von Willebrand factor, also known as a platelet protein, can lead to this disorder in both, men and women. The main symptoms of this disorder include bruising, bleeding from nose and prolonged bleeding after surgical procedures. In addition, women suffering from this disorder can also experience abnormal level of menstrual bleeding. The four variations of this disorder include:

-Type I
-Type II
-Type III and Pseudo von Willebrand disease

Your doctor can suggest you the diagnose tests, after doubting the existence of this disorder. The infusions to revive the percentage of platelet protein are best available treatments to handle this disorder. Nasal sprays can also help in preventing it from reoccurring.

The ongoing research is expected to develop new therapies and treatments for bleeding disorders, to ensure healthy living for every individual.

To Your Health!