Submitted by The Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute (BCDI)
Blood flows through our body to deliver oxygen and important nutrients to our tissues. In a perfect world, this process would be continuous and uninterrupted. For the nearly three million Americans living with a bleeding disorder, this process is less than perfect.
What is a bleeding disorder?
When a blood vessel is injured, blood cells and blood vessels work to reduce blood loss by forming a clot and restoring blood flow. Individuals living with a bleeding disorder lack the ability to naturally produce a clot. This can be the result of a defect in blood platelets or blood clotting proteins. The body produces 13 blood clotting proteins called clotting factors. If any of these are defective or deficient, blood clotting can be abnormal, resulting in a mild, moderate, or severe bleeding disorder.
Bleeding disorders can be inherited or acquired. Other bleeding disorders can result from conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, HIV, leukemia, and vitamin K deficiency. Certain medications that thin the blood, like aspirin, heparin, and warfarin, can also cause a bleeding disorder.
Signs & symptoms of a bleeding disorder:
- Excessive nosebleeds
- Prolonged, heavy menstrual periods
- Unexplained bruising
- Extended bleeding after minor cuts, blood draws, vaccinations, minor surgery, or dental procedures
- Bleeding into joints, muscles, and soft tissues
When to see a hematologist
If an individual is experiencing symptoms related to bleeding or excessive clotting issues, it is important to consult a board-certified hematologist. Being board certified in hematology involves subspecialty training, a rigorous process of testing and peer evaluation that is designed and administered by specialists in the specific area of medicine. This specialized knowledge allows assistance in arriving at diagnosis, on-going management of a disorder, and opportunities for patients to participate in funded programs or clinical research trials. All physicians at the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute are Hematology Board Certified and at the forefront of research and treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders — making BCDI The Blood Experts!
The Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute (BCDI) is located at 9128 N. Lindbergh Drive in Peoria, IL. Offices are open Monday — Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm. Contact us at 309-692-5337 or info@ilbcdi.org. Visit our website at thebloodexperts.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/ILBCDI.