7 effective ways to manage bleeding disorders

Bleeding disorders entail the body’s inability to clot blood as part of a biological process called hemostasis. In most cases, the person with the disorder bleeds spontaneously, without any known reason. At other times, there could be prolonged bleeding after surgery, a trauma, injury, or during menstruation. Besides treatment that the doctor suggests, there are ways to take care to prevent bleeding. These are the five ways to prevent the disorder effectively:

Subcutaneous injection instead of intramuscular vaccination and immunization shots
In general, immunizations and vaccinations are given into a muscle or intramuscularly. In this case, whether it is an adult or a child who needs to take the vaccine, the nurse and the doctor should be aware that the person has a clotting-related disorder. In such cases, nurses take precautions to apply the vaccine under the skin or subcutaneously. Also, the typical needle is never used. Instead, a smaller needle is used for vaccination. Once the injection has been applied, ice is applied to the spot with pressure for 5 – 10 minutes to prevent bleeding.

Children with a bleeding disorder should take necessary precautions
If a child suffers from hemophilia type A, they must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle to prevent head injuries in case of an accident. Also, parents must ensure that the child stays away from playing sports like football or hockey. In most cases, the sports that should be avoided are contact sports. Wrestling and boxing are also not recommended. If the child is keen to play any sports, parents should first speak with the child’s healthcare expert.

Regular check-ups
To stay away from any bleeding problems due to the bleeding disorder, it is pertinent to go in for regular check-ups as and when advised by the doctor. Procrastination will only make matters worse. The typical check-ups involve:

Yearly physical examination.
Yearly physical therapy check-ups.
Check-up of bones, joints, and muscles annually.
One to two visits to the dentist for dental hygiene.
X-ray of joints as advised by the doctor.
Take the shots as advised by the doctor as required.

Blood tests as advised by the doctor
Blood tests are an important part of a person’s life suffering from bleeding disorders. Ensure you follow what the doctor says to avoid missing out on the crucial tests each year. These are:

Inhibitor tests at least once a year
Inhibitors can prevent the blood system from accepting treatment for the disorder, thereby complicating matters. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the development of inhibitors in the system.

Factor level check
Complete blood count
Liver tests
Immune system tests.
Checks for Hepatitis A, B, & C.

Never miss taking the right treatment
The blood clotting factor missing in the bloodstream must be injected into patients so that clotting happens normally. Clotting factor concentrates are injected into the veins to stop bleeding episodes. This is the treatment that the doctor advises as preventive care for people with hemophilia specifically. The treatment can also be continued at home. It is essential that the patient never stops, delays, or postpones the treatment on their own without consulting with the doctor.

A person should take the treatment immediately to treat a bleeding episode at home. Also, before doing any activity, it is advised that the person takes the factor treatment to prevent a bleed. It is also recommended that patients maintain a treatment calendar with details like the lot number of the factor concentrate, the days of treatment, etc.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Lifestyle preferences can influence the health of a person in many ways. This, in turn, can go a long way in preventing spontaneous bleeding in the patient. Some of the lifestyle choices for a disorder related to bleeding include:

Physical fitness is of crucial importance. Ensure exercising at least thrice a week. The orthopedist and physical therapist will keep advising you on the same.
Consuming healthy meals is advised.
Ensure that the body weight is maintained close to the ideal weight.
Sleeping on time and getting enough sleep is advised.
Brushing teeth and flossing once a day is recommended.

Prevent bleeding by following rules and staying organized
Small things can make a difference and prevent unnecessary loss of blood. Some of the things to take care of include:

Wearing the seat belt when driving a car.
Ensure you do not run out of factor concentrate and reorder the same on time.
Stay in touch with the Hemophilia Treatment Center, and before starting any new remedy, consult with your doctor or the center.
Wearing the MedicAlert tag is advised at all times, especially when outdoors.
Use ice on the spot if it starts to bleed.
For a joint, use an elastic wrap for support.
Avoid having hot food immediately after an episode of bleeding.

Conclusion
While minor issues can be resolved and taken care of at home and by following the tips mentioned here, in case of any serious problem, it is best to consult with the doctor and take the patient to the nearest Hemophilia Treatment Center. At all costs, prolonged bleeding should be avoided because in such cases, the bleeding can become severe, and the extent of damage can be multifold.