Von Willebrand disease
The most common inherited bleeding disorder, in which a clotting protein called von Willebrand factor is deficient or defective. Von Willebrand factor is made by cells lining the wall of blood vessels. Several types of von Willebrand disease have been described. All types affect both males and females. Symptoms can include easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums after a dental procedure, heavy menstrual bleeding in women, blood in the stool and urine, and excessive bleeding after a cut or other accident or after surgery. Von Willebrand disease is usually mild and often does not require treatment. Treatment may be needed only after surgery, a tooth extraction, or an accident. For those who need treatment, medications such as desamino-8-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) can be given to raise the levels of von Willebrand factor, which reduces the tendency toward bleeding. Antihemophilic factor (Alphanate) may be given to decrease bleeding in patients with the disease who must have surgery or other invasive procedures. Blood plasma or certain factor VIII preparations may also be used to decrease bleeding.
Read Also:
- Voyeurism
Voyeurism is a disorder that involves achieving sexual arousal by observing an unsuspecting and non-consenting person who is undressing or unclothed, and/or engaged in sexual activity. This behavior may conclude with masturbation by the voyeur. The voyeur does not seek sexual contact with the person he is observing. Other names for this behavior are “peeping” […]
- Vrolik's disease
Osteogenesis imperfecta type II, an inherited connective tissue disorder with very severe bone fragility, the lethal form of “brittle bone disease.” It is a recessive trait with males and females affected. Two copies of the mutant gene are needed to cause the disease. Clinically the disease is characterized by short limb dwarfism, thin skin, soft […]
- Vulnerary
(Plural = vulneraries). A remedy used in healing or treating wounds. Any preparation, plant or drug used in the cure of wounds. For example, Native Americans used the herb echinacea as a vulnerary for burns, snakebites, arrow and other wounds. It was considered something of a panacea. “Vulnerary” comes from the Latin “vulnus” meaning “wound.” […]
- Vulva
The female external genital organs, including the labia, clitoris, and entrance to the vagina.
- Vulvar
Pertaining to the vulva, the female external genitalia including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, the tiny glands called Bartolin’s glands, and the entrance to the vagina (the vestibule of the vagina).