Bleeding Disorders

What are bleeding disorders?

Bleeding disorders are conditions that increase bleeding because they cause your blood to have trouble clotting. 

Clotting, also called blood coagulation, is a phenomenon that stops bleeding and starts the healing process after an injury. When you get a scab, it’s because your blood has clotted to stop you from bleeding too much. The platelets and clotting factors in your blood are largely responsible for clotting. 

If you get an injury and have a bleeding disorder, you can bleed very heavily or for a long time. Some bleeding disorders even cause internal bleeding in organs like your brain. Most bleeding disorders are inherited, but some can be influenced by your diet and behaviors. 

What are some common bleeding disorders?

There are many types of bleeding disorders that derive from problems with your platelets or clotting factors. The three most common are:

Hemophilia

Hemophilia, types A and B, are rare conditions that cause heavy bleeding in your joints because of a lack of clotting factors in your blood.

Factor deficiencies

Factor deficiencies are rare disorders that cause your blood to clot at an abnormally slow rate. 

Von Willebrand’s disease

Von Willebrand’s disease is a genetic disorder in which you lack a blood factor called the von Willebrand factor, which is essential for blood coagulation. 

What are some signs of a bleeding disorder?

Bleeding disorder symptoms are different depending on your exact diagnosis, but most include symptoms like:

• Frequent nose bleeds
• Heavy periods
• Bruising easily
• Excess bleeding from injuries, injections, and surgeries
• Bleeding in joints or muscles

At Hope Hematology & Oncology Associates LLC, Dr. Bajaj asks for details about your symptoms and medical history before performing tests for bleeding disorders like complete blood count (CBC), a platelet aggregation test, or a bleeding time test. 

How are bleeding disorders treated?

Dr. Bajaj works with you one-on-one to develop a treatment plan for your bleeding disorder, no matter what it is and how serious your condition is. While no cures currently exist for bleeding disorders, treatments can ensure that you have minimal symptoms and complications. 

To treat your bleeding disorder, Dr. Bajaj might recommend:

Iron supplements

Iron supplements increase iron in your blood to prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia, a common complication of bleeding disorders. It treats symptoms such as fatigue, chills, and dizziness. 

Blood transfusion

If iron supplements can’t improve your symptoms, a blood transfusion from a donor with the same blood type can replenish your blood supply. 

Factor replacement therapy

Factor replacement therapy involves injections of clotting factors directly into your bloodstream. 

Other treatments for clotting disorder symptoms and complications include nasal sprays, topical products, and frozen plasma transfusions. 

To schedule an appointment with the team at Hope Hematology & Oncology Associates LLC, call the office or request an appointment online today.