Test Your Knowledge of Bleeding Disorders

"What Is A Bleeding Disorder?

Bleeding disorders are conditions in which the blood does not clot normally because certain proteins in the blood are missing or do not work properly.

Von Willebrand Disease

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. Blood contains many proteins that help the blood clot when needed. One of these proteins is called von Willebrand factor (VWF). People with VWD either have a low level of VWF in their blood or the VWF protein doesn’t work the way it should. There are three types of VWD: type 1 (the most common and mildest form of VWD), type 2, and type 3 (the most severe form of VWD).

The signs and symptoms of VWD include:

• Frequent or hard-to-stop nosebleeds.
• Easy bruising.
• Longer-than-normal bleeding after injury, surgery, and dental work.
• Women with VWD can experience heavy or abnormal bleeding during menstrual periods and after childbirth.

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly due to a lack or decrease in a protein called clotting factor. The two most common types of hemophilia are hemophilia A, which is due to a lack of clotting factor VIII (8) and hemophilia B, which is due to a lack of clotting factor IX (9).

The signs and symptoms of hemophilia include:

• Frequent or hard-to-stop nosebleeds.
• Easy bruising.
• Longer-than-normal bleeding after injury, surgery, and dental work.
• Bleeding into the joints. This can cause swelling and pain or tightness in the joints; it often affects the knees, elbows, and ankles.
• Bleeding into the skin (which is bruising) or muscle and soft tissue causing a build-up of blood in the area (called a hematoma).

Who Is Affected by Bleeding Disorders?

VWD is the most common bleeding disorder, found in up to 1% of the U.S. population. This means that 3.2 million (or about 1 in every 100) people in the United States have the disease. Although VWD occurs among men and women equally, women are more likely to notice the symptoms because of heavy or abnormal bleeding during their menstrual periods and after childbirth.

The exact number of people with hemophilia is unknown.

The majority of hemophilia and VWD cases are inherited and there is a known family history of the disorder. However, about one-third of families with babies who are diagnosed with hemophilia report having no known history of the disorder. Hemophilia can also be caused by a spontaneous (random) change in a mother or child’s gene.

Read personal stories from people who have VWD and hemophilia to learn more about their experiences. Living with the complications of a bleeding disorder can be challenging; however, with treatment, people with bleeding disorders can manage their bleeding symptoms..."
Bleeding disorders 

Bleeding disorders

"Better You Know

As many as 1% of women in the United States may have a bleeding disorder, and many may not know it. Don’t miss the signs. The Better You Know campaign was created to help you find out if you might be at risk for a bleeding disorder.

The Better You Know campaign, developed by the National Hemophilia Foundationexternal icon in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raises awareness of bleeding disorders among women and girls who may experience symptoms but have not yet been diagnosed.

Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD), are conditions in which certain proteins in the blood are missing or do not work properly, making it hard for the blood to clot. Bleeding disorders can pose unique health challenges for women because of the impact these conditions can have on their reproductive health and quality of life. Symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, and heavy, hard-to-stop bleeding during or after surgery, dental procedures, and childbirth. The campaign has a suite of FREE tools and resources in English and Spanish to help increase knowledge and awareness of bleeding disorders in women and girls and provides information for healthcare providers.

Bleeding disorders in women can be treated. Explore the campaign and its resources to learn if you might be at risk for a bleeding disorder. Finding out if you are at risk can be the first step to feeling better!

Resources on the Signs and Symptoms

• A free, online risk assessment tool;
• A brochure for teenage girls about normal and abnormal menstrual cycles;
• A downloadable menstrual chart to help keep track of bleeding during a period; and
• Free postcards to help increase awareness about bleeding disorders in women.
  Access these free materials here..."
  Bleeding disorders 

CDC's Bleeding Disorders Surveillance Work

"What is hemophilia?

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly due to a lack of clotting factor proteins in the blood. As a result, people with hemophilia experience excessive bleeding after an injury or trauma, as well as spontaneous bleeding that can occur for no apparent reason.

Why is hemophilia research important?

Hemophilia is a rare disorder that primarily affects men, occurring in about 1 of every 5,000 male births. Women can have hemophilia too, but it is much rarer in this group. People with hemophilia can experience a range of health problems, such as joint disease and inhibitors (antibodies that can make treating hemophilia more challenging), that impact day-to-day activities and affect overall health and quality of life.

Research helps scientists learn more about the health problems and challenges people with hemophilia face to gain insight into how these health problems can be prevented or reduced to improve health and quality of life.

CDC’s bleeding disorder surveillance work

Historically, one challenge to hemophilia research has been the lack of uniform health data on people living with this condition. To address this challenge, CDC collaborated with federally funded hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) to create a national public health surveillance project called the Universal Data Collection (UDC) system. To expand upon the work of the UDC system, which concluded in 2011, CDC developed the Community Counts program..."
Bleeding disorders

Bleeding Disorders in Women

"What are bleeding disorders and how many people are affected by them?

 The bleeding disorders community includes more than 3 million Americans living with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease (VWD), and other rare bleeding disorders (called rare factor deficiencies). These bleeding disorders, which can be deadly if not treated properly, prevent the blood from clotting normally, causing those affected to experience prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, or physical trauma. Bleeding disorders affect both men and women. However, in the case of certain bleeding disorders such as VWD, women are more likely to notice the symptoms because of heavy or abnormal bleeding during their menstrual periods and after childbirth..."
Bleeding disorders

CDC Supports Bleeding Disorders Awareness

"On March 1st, staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Blood Disorders donned red ties in a show of support for the first-ever Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month™.

"Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month," was recently approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a National Health Observance in March. This new health observance formalizes and expands upon the event designated by President Ronald Reagan exactly 30 years ago as "Hemophilia Awareness Month." This special month aims to bring together people with all inherited (conditions that run in families) bleeding disorders to raise awareness of these rare conditions and their potential health problems.."
Bleeding disorders