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.”
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