Since von Willebrand's is a
genetic disorder--probably the most common one in the world--it's technically not a
disease, although the name remains. In
layperson's terms, the major symptoms include:
- easy or unexplained
bruising
- tendency to bleed from the gums/mouth
- frequent and/or long-lasting
nosebleeds
- heavy
menstrual flow in women
No treatment is usually required, although doctors and surgeons should be aware of the condition before treatment. However, it's unlikely to cause serious problems during surgery unless it's oral surgery. Additionally, since
von Willebrand factor naturally increases during pregnancy, abnormal bleeding during birth is relatively uncommon. Those with extreme cases should avoid
contact sports.
Von Willebrand's is inherited but
autosomal. Both men and women can have the disorder or be non-active
carriers. However, many people, including
health care professionals, still believe that bleeding disorders only affect males, so the disorder is frequently undiagnosed in women.
It was described by a
Finnish doctor, Von Willebrand, in the
1920s. The current preferred name is von Willebrand disease, and reports of its incidence, following further research, have risen to 1 in 100. You can read more about it in any medical database or textbook.