Bleeding Disorders
Alternate Names : Clotting Disorders
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Genetic defects cannot be prevented. Medical conditions that cause clotting
problems are sometimes preventable. Correct use of anticoagulant medicines is
important. Major advances in the treatment of infections, organ transplants,
and cancer can help prevent some cases. Special surgery techniques and
medicines to stop bleeding can also minimize problems from bleeding disorders.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Mild clotting problems usually have no long-term effects. They may become
evident only with major surgery. More severe problems may require lifelong
treatment. These can cause fatal bleeding as well as a need for close medical
and surgical monitoring.
Chronic or serious bleeding problems have many risks, including:
chronic anemia, or a low
red blood cell count
neurological or psychiatric problems
scarring of the joints
visual impairments from
bleeding into the eye
What are the risks to others?
In general, bleeding disorders are not contagious and pose no risk
to others.
Some bleeding problems are related to infections that may be contagious. For
example,
HIV, some upper respiratory infections,
hepatitis, and infectious mononucleosis ("mono") can occasionally
lead to bleeding problems.
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