There are numerous bleeding disorders. The most common ones are hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
HEMOPHILIA
Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or defect of one of the proteins necessary
for blood to properly clot. These proteins are known as clotting factors. The type and severity of a person's
hemophilia depends on which protein is involved and to what degree they are deficient. The most common forms are Hemophilia
A which is a deficiency in factor VIII and hemophilia B which is a deficiency of factor IX. Hemophiliacs do not bleed
to death from minor cuts or injuries nor do they bleed faster; they will bleed longer, because their blood cannot form a firm
clot. Often, bleeding is internal, into joints, and results in arthritis or crippling. Hemophilia affects mostly
males and occurs in 1 in every 4,000 male births.
VON WILLEBRANDS DISEASE
Von Willebrand disease is a heriditary bleeding disorder characterized by bleeding from mucous membranes (i.e.
mouth, nose, throat, gastrointestinal tract and skin surfaces.) Excessive brusing, nose bleeds, heavy menstrul cycles
and excessive bleeding following extraction of teeth or tonsils are the most common symptoms of von Willebrands disease.
Since it is a hereditary disorder, family history is usually postive for a bleeding tendency in other family members.
von Willebrands disease differs from hemophilia in that it affects both men and women. It is the most common inherited
bleeding disorder. About 1% to 3% of the population are affected.
