Bleeding disorders prevent blood from clotting normally when a
person is cut or injured. When the blood does not clot normally, even minor
injuries can cause significant bleeding, which can lead to excessive blood loss
or can damage muscles or joints.
Bleeding disorders occur when there is a problem with various
components of the blood, including platelets and clotting factors.
- Platelets are blood cells that are the first
defense against bleeding. They collect at the site of a wound and clump
together to help stop the flow of blood.
- Clotting factors are
substances in the blood that help the blood clot when vessels are
damaged.