Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand disease is a lifelong bleeding condition that makes it hard for blood to clot. People with the condition either have low levels of von Willebrand factor, a protein that helps blood clot, or the protein they have doesn't work well.
Most people with the condition are born with it because the gene that causes it can be passed down from one or both parents. But warning signs, such as heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding for a long time after dental work, might not show up for years.Von Willebrand disease can't be cured. But there are treatments and self-care that can help people with this condition lead active lives.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of von Willebrand disease is bleeding more than expected.There are three main types of von Willebrand disease. The amount of bleeding varies from one person to another, depending on the type of the condition and how bad it is
- If you have von Willebrand disease, you might have:
- Bleeding for a long time from an injury or after surgery or dental work.
- Nosebleeds that last longer than 10 minutes.
- Heavy or long menstrual bleeding.
- Heavy bleeding during labor and delivery or after delivery..
- Blood in urine or stool.
- Easy bruising or lumpy bruises.
- With more-serious forms of von Willebrand disease, there may be sudden bleeding into joints.
- Menstrual symptoms might include:
- Blood clots greater than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across in menstrual blood.
- The need to change a menstrual pad or tampon more than once an hour.
- he need to use double sanitary protection for menstrual flow.
- Symptoms of anemia, including tiredness or shortness of breath.