Which disorder is primarily noted for excessive bruising and bleeding?

Which disorder is primarily noted for excessive bruising and bleeding?

• A. Thalassemia
• B. Von Willebrand disease
• C. Pernicious anemia
• D. Plasma cell myeloma

Answer: (B)

Von Willebrand disease is primarily noted for excessive bruising and bleeding due to its role in the blood clotting process. This disorder is characterized by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein that helps platelets stick to blood vessel walls and is crucial in the formation of blood clots. When vWF is not functioning properly, individuals can experience prolonged bleeding after injury, frequent nosebleeds, and easy bruising, which are hallmark symptoms of this condition. In contrast, thalassemia is a blood disorder that involves the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin and primarily leads to anemia rather than excessive bleeding. Pernicious anemia is also characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells caused by an inability to absorb vitamin B12, leading to fatigue and weakness rather than bleeding tendencies. Plasma cell myeloma primarily affects the production of antibodies and can lead to bone damage and anemia, but it is not specifically associated with excessive bruising and bleeding like von Willebrand disease.

Von Willebrand disease is primarily noted for excessive bruising and bleeding due to its role in the blood clotting process. This disorder is characterized by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein that helps platelets stick to blood vessel walls and is crucial in the formation of blood clots. When vWF is not functioning properly, individuals can experience prolonged bleeding after injury, frequent nosebleeds, and easy bruising, which are hallmark symptoms of this condition.

In contrast, thalassemia is a blood disorder that involves the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin and primarily leads to anemia rather than excessive bleeding. Pernicious anemia is also characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells caused by an inability to absorb vitamin B12, leading to fatigue and weakness rather than bleeding tendencies. Plasma cell myeloma primarily affects the production of antibodies and can lead to bone damage and anemia, but it is not specifically associated with excessive bruising and bleeding like von Willebrand disease.