What is von Willebrand disease (vWD)?
Von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder. There are several types of von Willebrand disease, and they are all caused by a problem with the von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the blood. When there is not enough VWF present in the blood, or if the VWF does not work as it should, the blood does not clot normally.
Von Willebrand Disease is the most common bleeding disorder. One percent to 2 percent of the population, or 1.4 to 2.8 million people in the United States, has this disease. VWD occurs about as often in men as it does in women. Women with VWD may have: • Gums that bleed easily • Frequent nosebleeds • Heavy and long menstrual periods • Easy bruising • Heavy bleeding after small cuts, surgery or dental work What Is Hemophilia? Hemophilia is a well-known but rare bleeding disorder that runs in families. Both men and women have this condition, but almost all people with severe hemophilia are men. However, many women have mild symptoms of hemophilia. This condition is caused by a shortage of clotting factors needed to stop bleeding. Signs of hemophilia include: easy bruising; excessive bleeding after cuts, dental work and surgery; and blood in the stool or urine How Are Bleeding Disorders Treated? While there is no cure for bleeding disorders, medicine can control the symptoms. Treatment fo
VWD is a disease in which a protein called von Willebrand factor (VWF) in a patient’s blood is deficient or defective. There are three main types of VWD: Type 1 VWD is a form of VWD in which the VWF is present at lower than normal levels, affecting blood clotting. Type 1 can be mild, moderate, or severe. Stimate® Nasal Spray is indicated for use in patients with mild-to-moderate type 1 VWD. Type 2 VWD is a form of VWD in which the VWF does not work properly, affecting blood clotting. There are 4 subtypes of Type 2 VWD: type 2A, 2B, 2M, and 2N. Type 3 VWD is the most severe form of VWD, in which the VWF is almost completely missing from the blood.
Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited coagulation disorder; it involves reduced functioning of a blood protein that helps control bleeding. People with VWD have a reduced function of a protein in their blood that helps control bleeding. They do not have enough of the protein or it does not work the way it should. It takes longer for blood to clot and for bleeding to stop. VWD affects both males and females. Many people with VWD do not know that they have the disorder because their bleeding symptoms are very mild. For most people with VWD, the disorder causes little or no disruption to their lives except when there is a serious injury or need for surgery.
