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 1920s.
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.
Types
There are three types of Von Willebrand Disease: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.
- Type 1 is the mildest and most common form of the disease.
- Type 2 is more severe and is further divided into subtypes 2A, 2B, 2M, and 2N.
- Type 3 is the most severe form of the disease and is quite rare.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Von Willebrand Disease may include easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and heavy menstrual periods in women. In severe cases, it can cause bleeding into joints and internal organs.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Von Willebrand Disease involves blood tests to measure the amount of von Willebrand factor in the blood and its function, and sometimes genetic tests are also required.
Treatment
Treatment for Von Willebrand Disease may include medications that increase the level of von Willebrand factor in the blood, or infusions of von Willebrand factor concentrate. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Related Terms
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