March is National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there are about 3 million people nationwide who are affected by bleeding disorders
Blood and bleeding disorders are common in the US and mostly occur through genetic inheritance. The purpose of National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month is to increase awareness of these disorders in the public, and to bring them to the attention of policymakers, public authorities, industry representatives, scientists, and health professionals.
What you need to know about bleeding disorders
The main characteristic of bleeding disorders is bleeding and bruising more than usual. Symptoms include frequent or prolonged bleeding, excessive bruising, prolonged, heavy menstrual periods, unexplained nosebleeds, and extended bleeding after minor cuts, dental procedures or blood draws.
Symptoms can be triggered after an injury, surgery, menstruation, getting blood drawn, or physical trauma. There isn’t always a known cause, however. The bleeding can be random. The prolonged bleeding is caused by the body’s lack of ability to create blood clots properly. This occurs from defects in blood components, also called blood clotting factors, including platelets and/or clotting proteins.
The most effective treatment for blood disorders is to replace the missing blood clotting factor so proper blood clotting can resume. This is typically done by injecting treatment products, called clotting factor concentrates, into a person’s vein.
The Most Common Bleeding Disorders
There are different types of bleeding disorders, and they differ depending on the blood factor that is deficient. Common blood factors include Factor VII and IX, and rare factors include I, II, V, VII, X, XI, XII, and XIII. Below are some of the most common blood disorders.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia occurs when someone’s blood does not clot properly and is usually caused by a genetic mutation that is inherited. The lack of blood clotting can lead to spontaneous bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery.
Acquired platelet function defect
This is a platelet disorder, which affects the number of blood platelets and how well they function, which affects blood clotting. There are many types of platelet function disorders that are a result of cancer or bone marrow disorders, including multiple myeloma, primary myelofibrosis, and polycythemia vera.
von Willebrand Disease
People with von Willebrand disease are low in the von Willebrand factor, a protein that helps blood clot, or the protein doesn’t perform as it should. It’s also genetically inherited. The low factor levels cause abnormal bleeding.
Factor V deficiency
Factor V deficiency is passed down through families. It affects the ability of the blood to clot. It is caused by a lack of blood factor V.
Learning How to Live With Hemophilia
In this video by Pfizer, learn more about the importance of the bleeding disorder community in honor of World Hemophilia Day. Gabe, who lives with hemophilia, is featured in this video.