Treating Bleeding Disorders
There are many ways to treat bleeding disorders, depending on your type and how severe it is.
Factor concentrates – isolated concentrates of your particular factor. May come in powdered form to be made up with water or could be in liquid form. You may receive this when needed or as a regular prophylaxis to help prevent serious bleeds. Concentrates are normally administered through an intravenous injection (infusion) and can be a one-factor concentrate or made up of 3 to 4 different factors.
Some concentrates, like Factor VIII and Factor IX, can now be made with 'recombinant', ie artificially without human plasma.
Whole blood-whole blood transfusions may sometimes be given
FFP – fresh frozen plasma- a yellow-coloured liquid, this is the part of the blood containing all the clotting factors. This may be given if there is no concentrate available for your factor deficiency
Fibrin glue – can sometimes be applied straight to a wound to help a clot stabilise
Tranexamic acid – taken in tablet form to help clots stabilise
DDAVP – a synthetic hormone which helps stop bleeding, can be given as an injection or as a nosespray
Platelet transfusion – for more serious bleeding a transfusion of platelets may be needed
Contraceptive pills – for girls, many pills can be very helpful in treating heavy periods
And remember....
PRICE regime – basic first aid steps such as pressure, rest, ice and elevation are also a powerful weapon against bleeds. Frozen ice lollies can also help to stop mouth bleeds.
Prevention - there are ways to prevent bleeds from occurring, such as wearing a helmet while cycling or doing some sports. Most people with bleeding disorders are advised to avoid contact sports such as rugby or judo.
In future
Advances in science mean that the use of gene therapy to treat haemophilia is a real possibility for the future and progress has been made in studies in this area.
Although still in its early stages, working factor VIII or IX genes can be inserted into someone with haemophilia. The goal is to get these genes to make enough clotting factor long enough so that bleeding is no longer a problem, or is less of a problem. This might be a possible 'cure'.
Although the first UK trial of gene therapy should begin for adults in 2007, the most likely next development in treatment is long-life clotting factors. Researchers are working on factor VIII to make it last longer in the blood. At the moment, it is common to need three injections a week to prevent bleeds, but if the trials work, this should change to be something like only once a week.
I hate needles!
Do you hate getting injections? There is actually something called 'needlephobia' which is when the thought of getting an injection is really terrifying. We have produced a factsheet here with some advice.
