Von Willebrand disease
Overview
Von Willebrand disease is an inherited condition where your blood does not clot properly, so you bleed more easily. There's no cure but most people have mild symptoms that can be managed.
Symptoms
Von Willebrand disease does not always cause symptoms unless you have an injury. Sometimes it's found when you have more bleeding than usual after surgery or giving birth. Symptoms of von Willebrand disease can include: bruising easilyfrequentnosebleedsbleeding gumsbleeding more than usual after an injury or cutheavy periods Some people also have more severe symptoms, such as: heavy bleeding that's difficult to stop, for example after an injury or procedureblood in your pooblood in your pee (urine)pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint
Causes
Von Willebrand disease is nearly always caused by the genes you inherit from your parents. The most severe type of von Willebrand disease, called type 3, happens when a child inherits the gene from both parents. If you have type 1 or type 2, there's a 1 in 2 chance that your child will also inherit it. If you have type 3, your children will also have von Willebrand disease, but they'll usually have type 1 or type 2, with less severe symptoms. In very rare cases von Willebrand disease can be caused by other conditions that affect your blood, such as heart problems or blood cancer, or by taking certain medicines.
Treatment
Treatment for von Willebrand disease depends on the type you have and how severe your symptoms are. You can usually use first aid to treat less serious bleeding yourself, such ascuts and grazesornosebleeds. If you have type 1 or type 2 and mild symptoms you'll only need treatment when you get more serious bleeding, or to help prevent bleeding, for example before surgery or dental treatment. If you have type 3 or more severe symptoms you may also need regular treatment to help prevent bleeding. To treat or prevent bleeding you may be offered: tranexamic acid, usually taken as tabletsdesmopressin, taken as an injection, through a drip into a vein (infusion), or as a nasal spray – this medicine does not work for everyone, so you'll need a trial first to see if it will help your symptomsa treatment to help your blood clot called factor replacement therapy, given through a drip into your vein (infusion) – this is used for more severe symptoms If you have heavy periods your care team will usually recommend: hormonal contraceptives that can make periods lighter, such as thecombined pillorintrauterine system (IUS)tranexamic acid
Prevention
If you have von Willebrand disease there are things you can do to reduce the risk of bleeding and complications caused by bleeding. eat foods containing iron, such as dark-green leafy vegetables, meat and pulses, to help preventanaemia– your doctor may also suggest taking iron supplements eat foods containing iron, such as dark-green leafy vegetables, meat and pulses, to help preventanaemia– your doctor may also suggest taking iron supplements brush your teeth at least twice a day and have regular dental check-ups to help avoid dental treatment fortooth decay brush your teeth at least twice a day and have regular dental check-ups to help avoid dental treatment fortooth decay keep a first aid kit with you for treating minor injuries keep a first aid kit with you for treating minor injuries consider carrying medical ID in case you have a more serious injury consider carrying medical ID in case you have a more serious injury do not take medicines that can cause bleeding, such as ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin do not take medicines that can cause bleeding, such as ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin do not take any herbal remedies or supplements without checking with a pharmacist or doctor – some can cause problems if you have von Willebrand disease do not take any herbal remedies or supplements without checking with a pharmacist or doctor – some can cause problems if you have von Willebrand disease do not take part in sports or activities that are likely to cause injuries, particularly if you have more severe symptoms do not take part in sports or activities that are likely to cause injuries, particularly if you have more severe symptoms