Von Willebrand's disease

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Von Willebrand's disease

Von Willebrand's disease is an inherited bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. In this disease, a protein in the body's blood system (von Willebrand factor) is missing or does not work well, and the blood cells (platelets) cannot stick together normally to form clots at the site of bleeding.

Symptoms of von Willebrand's disease may include excessive bleeding after injury, frequent nosebleeds, heavy menstrual flow, easy bruising, blood in the urine or stool, and bleeding from the gums. Equal numbers of men and women have this disease.

Von Willebrand's disease can be treated with medication that increases the amount of von Willebrand clotting factor in the blood. Treatment also focuses on preventing and stopping bleeding.

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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