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What Is a Bleeding Disorder?

A bleeding disorder is a flaw in the body's blood clotting system. Blood clotting (also known as coagulation) is the process that controls bleeding by changing blood from a liquid to a solid state. Certain parts of the blood are known as clotting factors. In people with bleeding disorders, these clotting factors are missing or do not work as they should. This causes them to bleed for longer periods of time than people whose blood factor levels are normal or work properly. The beliefs that persons with bleeding disorders bleed to death from minor injuries or that their blood flows faster are myths.

There are several types of bleeding disorders. The best known is hemophilia. There are two kinds of hemophilia: hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Hemophilia A is the result of a deficiency of the clotting factor called factor VIII. Hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of factor IX. The most common bleeding disorder--thought to affect as many as 1% of the population--is von Willebrand disease, which is caused by a defect in or deficiency of von Willebrand factor.

Related Web Sites:

National Hemophilia Foundation (http://www.hemophilia.org) is committed to finding the cures for hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders and to preventing and treating the complications of these disorders.

World Federation of Hemophilia (http://www.wfh.org/) is an international organization dedicated to introducing, improving and maintaining care for persons with bleeding disorders.

Hemophilia Home Page(http://www.wfh.org/) provides email list, chat, newsletter, pen pals, organizations and links; Information and support.

The Committee of Ten Thousand (COTT) (http://www.wfh.org/) is a grass-roots, peer-led, education, advocacy and support organization for persons with HIV disease. The majority of our constituents are persons with hemophilia who contracted HIV/AIDS from tainted blood products.

Hemophilia Galaxy (http://www.hemophiliagalaxy.com/) provides comprehensive support information specifically designed for people with hemophilia, their families, and health care professionals. Children, teenagers, adults, and families can find the hemophilia information they need here.

Google Hemophilia Web Directory (http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/H/Hemophilia/) provides a variety of Web resources.