Hemostatic Disorders

Hemostatic disorders are conditions that affect the ability of blood to clot properly. Normally, our blood should clot, or form a plug, when we bleed. In some hemostatic disorders, clotting does not occur when it should. In others, clotting happens when and where it should not. Both types of disorders can cause serious injury or death.

Hemophilia

• Hemophilia is bleeding disorder that can result from several different genetic mutations. According to the Merck Manual online, this is a condition primarily associated with males, but it can also affect females. Because it is caused by a genetic disorder, it is present at birth. Newborn infants may show immediate signs of the disorder through excessive bleeding or excessive bruising just after delivery. Other forms of hemophilia are milder, and some people may not be aware that they have the disease until they experience bleeding that won't stop. There is no cure for hemophilia, but people with this disorder can undergo transfusions or take medications that encourage blood clotting.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which is also called Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, is a disorder of the blood vessels that causes them to form improperly. This can make them more prone to damage and bleeding. A primary symptom of this condition is red or purple spots that form on the skin and are not related to an injury. People with this condition also experience frequent nosebleeds. There is no cure for this disease.

Von Willebrand's Disease

• People with von Willebrand's disease are missing an important blood protein called the von Willebrand factor. It is what makes platelets "sticky" and enables them to clot together to stop bleeding. According to the Merck Manual, von Willebrand's disease is a genetic disorder and generally does not require treatment. People with the disease may take a drug to encourage blood clotting if they will be undergoing some type of surgery.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a condition that results in both excessive clotting and excessive bleeding. According to the Merck Manual, this condition will cause blood clots to form within blood vessels. These clots act as magnets for the platelets in the blood, and as they grow larger, there are fewer platelets available to stop bleeding in other parts of the body. This causes excessive bleeding. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is not a disease in its own right, but it is a complication from other conditions, such as surgery, childbirth or head injury.

Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

• Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an autoimmune disorder in which a person develops bruises on the skin unrelated to any impact or injury. This condition causes the body's immune system to attack normal skin tissue. According to the Merck Manual, children are more often afflicted with this condition than adults, and the condition will normally clear up on its own. In severe cases where bleeding occurs in the kidneys or other major organs, immunosuppressive drugs may be prescribed to prevent further damage.

Thrombophilia

• Thrombophilia is a condition that results in excessive clotting of the blood. According to the Merck Manual, it can be inherited or it can develop from other factors. Inherited thrombophilia will usually present in early adulthood and is generally diagnosed when a person experiences blood clots that cause a secondary problem, such as the swelling of an arm or leg. Older adults can be prone to thrombophilia from inactivity or because of a heart attack or heart failure. A blood clot that breaks off and travels through the bloodstream can cause a stroke or even death.