bleeding disorders Flashcards
What is a bleeding disorder?
An issue with the blood clotting process, which can lead to abnormally heavy and prolonged bleeding. Bleeding can be spontaneous.
What are some causes of abnormal bleeding?
Blood vessel/vascular disorders, platelet disorders, and coagulation pathway disorders.
What are some examples of blood vessel/vascular disorders that can cause abnormal bleeding?
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia and collagen abnormalities.
What is hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia?
An uncommon inherited disorder that causes dilated microvascular swellings in various parts of the body, including the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs. Symptoms can include nosebleeds and GI bleeds.
How is hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia inherited?
It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
What are collagen abnormalities?
Abnormalities in the proteins that provide structure and support to various tissues in the body. In the context of bleeding disorders, collagen abnormalities can lead to fragility of the skin, ligaments, blood vessels, and perivascular connective tissue, resulting in easy bleeding and bruising.
What are some acquired blood vessel/vascular disorders that can cause abnormal bleeding?
Scurvy, steroid therapy (in cases of Cushing’s syndrome), and old age.
What is scurvy?
An acquired vitamin C deficiency that can cause bleeding gums, peri-follicular hemorrhages, bruises, and other symptoms. Risk factors include alcohol abuse and poor diet.
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
A disorder caused by long-term exposure to high levels of the hormone cortisol, often due to prolonged use of corticosteroid medications. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including easy bruising and impaired wound healing.
What is old age in the context of blood vessel/vascular disorders and abnormal bleeding?
As people age, blood vessels can become weaker and more fragile, making them more prone to bleeding and bruising.
What are some symptoms of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia?
Dilated microvascular swellings in various parts of the body, including the skin (especially the hands and fingertips), mucous membranes, and internal organs. Symptoms can include nosebleeds and GI bleeds.
How is hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia inherited?
It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
What is a bleeding disorder and what can it lead to?
A bleeding disorder is an issue with the blood clotting process, which can lead to abnormally heavy and prolonged bleeding. Bleeding can be spontaneous and may occur due to blood vessel/vascular disorders, platelet disorders, or coagulation pathway disorders.
What are the causes of abnormal bleeding?
Abnormal bleeding can be caused by blood vessel/vascular disorders, platelet disorders, and coagulation pathway disorders.
What are some inherited blood vessel/vascular disorders?
Some inherited blood vessel/vascular disorders include hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia and collagen abnormalities. Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia is an uncommon autosomal dominant disorder characterized by dilated microvascular swellings, which can affect the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs and lead to nose bleeds, GI bleeds, and other symptoms. Collagen abnormalities can cause fragility of the skin, ligaments, blood vessels, and perivascular connective tissue, leading to easy bleeding and bruising.
What are some acquired blood vessel/vascular disorders?
Some acquired blood vessel/vascular disorders include scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), steroid Rx (cf Cushing’s syndrome), and old age.