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Tareq Abadl: Why Do Some People Bruise And Bleed So Easily?

Tareq Abadl/LinkedIn

Mar 12, 2026, 11:17

Tareq Abadl: Why Do Some People Bruise And Bleed So Easily?

Tareq Abadl, Medical Laboratory Specialist and Director of the Blood Bank at Dr. Abdelkader Al-Mutawakkil Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

”’Why do some people bruise and bleed so easily?’

It’s not just weakness or coincidence… it could be linked to something called von Willebrand Disease (VWD)

What is it?

A genetic disorder that affects a protein called von Willebrand Factor (VWF).
This factor acts like a ‘bridge’ between platelets and blood vessel walls at the site of injury.
It also protects an important protein called Factor VIII from breaking down.
If VWF is missing or not working properly platelets don’t stick well plus Factor VIII decreases, leading to longer and heavier bleeding.

Symptoms you might notice:

Easy bruising even from minor bumps
Frequent nosebleeds
Prolonged bleeding after surgery or tooth extraction
Heavy menstrual bleeding in women
Bleeding into joints or muscles after injury or surgery
Internal bleeding (digestive or urinary tract) in severe cases
Sometimes anemia due to chronic blood loss

Types:

Type 1:
Mild to moderate, reduced amount of VWF (most common)

Type 2:
Moderate, VWF is present but doesn’t function properly (subtypes include 2A, 2B, 2M, 2N)

Type 3:
Very severe and rare, almost complete absence of VWF serious and chronic bleeding

Diagnosis involves:

Standard blood tests
Measuring VWF levels
Platelet function tests
Clotting studies
Factor VIII measurement
Family medical history is very important
Sometimes tests need repeating because results can vary depending on timing (e.g., during infection or pregnancy)

Treatment depends on severity:

Desmopressin (DDAVP): stimulates the body to release more VWF (useful in mild to moderate cases)
Factor concentrates: for severe cases or Type 3
Antifibrinolytic drugs like Tranexamic acid to reduce bleeding, especially in dental procedures or menstruation
Special interventions for surgical or joint bleeding

Preventive advice:

Avoid medications that increase bleeding risk (like aspirin or certain painkillers)

Regular follow-up with a hematologist

Important note:

This condition doesn’t stop someone from living a normal life, but they need to know their diagnosis and avoid risks—especially before surgery or medical procedures.

Women should also be aware that heavy menstrual bleeding isn’t always ‘normal’; it can be a sign of an underlying disorder.”

Tareq Abadl: Why Do Some People Bruise And Bleed So Easily?