Blood contains a number of proteins called coagulation factors, and blood cell fragments called platelets, that work together to form clots in the blood and prevent excessive or abnormal bleeding. When one of these factors is missing from the blood, it can result in excessive bleeding from minor cuts, or spontaneous bleeding such as frequent nosebleeds.
Thrombocytopenia
Blood platelets, or thrombocytes, are red blood cell fragments that form clumps to plug up holes in the blood vessels to stop bleeding. According to MayoClinic.com, the body normally contains between 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Thrombocytopenia occurs when the blood platelet count is abnormally low. When blood platelet count is low, the blood cannot clot properly, which may result in prolonged bleeding from cuts, easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, blood in urine, heavy periods and severe bleeding after surgery. Thrombocytopenia can occur when platelets become trapped in an enlarged spleen, when platelet production is reduced due to bone marrow disease, or due to other conditions such as pregnancy, bacteria in the blood and certain medications. Mild cases of thrombocytopenia do not usually require treatment. Moderate to severe cases may require medications and blood transfusions.
Factor V Deficiency
There are approximately 20 proteins in the blood plasma that play a role in proper blood clotting, according to Medline Plus. If any of these proteins, called a coagulation factor, is missing from the blood, the blood cannot clot properly. One of these proteins is called factor V. Those with a factor V deficiency do not have adequate amounts of factor V in the blood plasma. The condition is usually inherited, but can also be acquired later in life during childbirth, after surgery or because of an autoimmune disease. This can cause frequent nosebleeds, bleeding into the skin, bleeding gums, excessive bruising, heavy periods and prolonged bleeding from a cut or after surgery. There is no cure for factor V deficiency, but Medline Plus notes that blood plasma infusions can be used to temporarily correct the condition.
Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand disease is a blood disorder in which the blood protein called the von Willebrand factor is missing from the blood plasma or does not function properly. Those with von Willebrand disease experience frequent nosebleeds, excessive bruising, bleeding gums, heavy periods, blood in the stool, blood in urine, prolonged bleeding after a cut and excessive bleeding after surgery. The majority of cases of von Willebrand disease are inherited, but a small number are acquired later in life, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Treatment for von Willebrand disease is based on severity. Mild cases may only require treatment during episodes of bleeding. More serious cases may require infusions of von Willebrand factor or synthetic hormones that trigger the production and release of the blood protein.
