The Basics

We usually use the words "bleeding disorder" and not "disease."  The word "disease" makes people think of being sick and feeling bad.  People with bleeding disorders usually feel fine.  Their blood just doesn't work the way it is supposed to.

This part of The Handbook gives you the basics about bleeding disorders.  It helps you understand how blood clots.  It tells how normal blood works and how it works in people with hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease (VWD), and platelet disorders.  It describes the tests done to figure out what type of bleeding disorder someone has.  It also gives a detailed description of each disorder.