Von Willebrand disease
Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand Disease (pronunciation: von-vil-uh-brand) is a genetic disorder that prevents the blood from clotting properly. It is named after the Finnish physician Erik von Willebrand, who first described the condition in the early 20th century.
Etymology
The disease is named after Erik von Willebrand, a Finnish pediatrician. In 1926, he first described the disease in a 5-year-old girl from the Åland Islands, who had symptoms of a bleeding disorder.
Definition
Von Willebrand Disease is a lifelong bleeding disorder in which your blood doesn't clot well. People with this disease often experience frequent, hard-to-stop bleeding after an injury or surgery. There are three types of Von Willebrand Disease, namely Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Von Willebrand Disease may include easy bruising, long-lasting nosebleeds, excessive bleeding from a cut, and extended bleeding after surgery or dental work. Women with this condition may experience heavy menstrual periods or excessive bleeding after childbirth.
Causes
Von Willebrand Disease is usually inherited, meaning it's passed from parents to children through genes. It's caused by a deficiency in or impairment of a protein called von Willebrand factor, an important component in the blood-clotting process.
Treatment
While there's no cure for Von Willebrand Disease, most people with the disease can lead normal lives. Treatment may include Desmopressin, a medication that can replace the missing or defective clotting factor, or clot-stabilizing medications.
Related Terms
- Hemophilia: Another type of inherited bleeding disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot.
- Platelets: Tiny blood cells that help your body form clots to stop bleeding.
- Coagulation: The process by which your blood clots.
- Factor VIII: A protein that helps blood to clot. It's often deficient in people with hemophilia.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Von Willebrand disease
- Wikipedia's article - Von Willebrand disease
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