Blood can metaphorically symbolize life which underscores how important it is to humans. It transports vital gases and nutrients throughout the body while cleaning it up in the process. Blood is also a critical element of the defense system that fights infections with its antibodies and the white blood corpuscles. It carries hormones as well as enzymes to ensure that cellular processes are functioning normally. Thus, a body that suffers from disorders and medical conditions stand to suffer too from a lot of complications.
While both men and women can be affected by these disorders, women’s blood diseases and disorders can pose unique problems and risks. Part of protecting one’s health against bleeding and clotting disorders is by understanding the symptoms of common blood diseases and disorders. If there is the slightest suspicion that any of these disorders is affecting you, it is important to see your doctor right away. Most of these are treatable; early diagnosis and proper treatment can still make one live a healthy and full life.
Here is a list of some common women’s blood diseases and disorders:
• Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) – is a genetically-influenced disorder that results to the body’s disability to produce a particular blood clotting protein referred to as von Willebrand Factor (vWF). This has more dramatic effects on women because of the monthly menstrual flow and during childbirth. This may also trigger successive fetal loss or abortion. This may manifest itself with easy bruising, heavy bleeding during dental procedures and surgical procedures, and frequent nosebleeds. This can be diagnosed by testing for the presence of vWF. Through vWD cannot be treated being genetic in origin, there are treatments that can relieve the symptoms.
• Hemophilia Carrier Status – is also a genetic disorder specifically a mutation on the X chromosome. Unlike men who only need a gene for hemophilia to manifest the disease, women are merely carriers of the gene. This means that they can transmit this gene to their offspring. Nevertheless, female carriers of hemophilia can still exhibit excessive bleeding during monthly periods, childbirth, dental and surgical procedures. Again, hemophilia cannot be cured, but can be managed. There are medical procedures that involve clotting factor replacement and gene therapy that may possibly cure hemophilia.
• Thrombocytopenia – is a condition in which the sufferer has too few platelets in the blood. This is quite commonly triggered by other diseases or use of certain medications administered to treat ailments like anemia, leukemia, HIV or Gaucher’s Disease. Some symptoms include easy bruising, intense bleeding during monthly periods, bleeding under the skin, gums and the digestive tract. Diagnostic blood tests are used to detect the platelet levels. The treatment involves the underlying cause.
In addition to these bleeding disorders among women; they may also suffer from clotting disorders. Here are some of these clotting disorders among women:
• Thrombopilia – is suspected to be an autoimmune disorder. This disorder can be manifested by blood clots in blood vessels such as thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This can be caused by any of the following genetic and autoimmune conditions:
1. Mutation of genes – Factor V Leiden mutation and prothrombin (prohTHROM-bin) 20210 mutation
2. Hyperhomocysteinemia – this is accompanied by an increase in an amino acid in the blood that is also caused by a gene mutation (MTHFR gene).
3. The absence of certain blood proteins, including protein C, protein S, and the blood clotting factor called antithrombin.
4. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
5. Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation – is referred to as acquired thrombophilia which is characterized by excessive clotting that result to the depletion of clotting factors. This can be a consequence of severe infections, cancer, excessive bleeding, and pregnancy complications like a dead fetus in the womb or placental abruption. Treatment of the underlying medical condition is important to cure the condition.
Women must never ignore heavy menstrual flows or bleeding of their gums. These are the most common symptoms to detect. Unusual bleeding must be consulted with doctors to prevent common women’s blood diseases and disorders.