Health Focus - Aon South Africa...cause weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness. If a woman has endometriosis she may have heavy blood loss that she cannot see because it …

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In this IssueWhat is bleeding disorder?

A bleeding disorder is a condition that affects the way your blood normally clots. The clotting process, also known as coagulation, changes blood from a liquid to a solid. When you’re injured, your blood normally begins to clot to prevent a massive loss of blood. Sometimes, certain conditions prevent blood from clotting properly, which can result in heavy or prolonged bleeding.

Bleeding disorders can cause abnormal bleeding both outside and inside the body. Some disorders can drastically increase the amount of blood leaving your body. Others cause bleeding to occur under the skin or in vital organs, such as the brain.

What causes a bleeding disorder?

Bleeding disorders often develop when the blood can’t clot properly. For blood to clot, your body needs blood proteins called clotting factors and blood cells called platelets. Normally, platelets clump together to form a plug at the site of a damaged or injured blood vessel. The clotting factors then come together to form a fibrin clot. This keeps the platelets in place and prevents blood from flowing out of the blood vessel.

In people with bleeding disorders, however, the clotting factors or platelets don’t work the way they should or are in short supply. When the blood doesn’t clot, excessive or prolonged bleeding can occur. It can also lead to spontaneous or sudden bleeding in the muscles, joints, or other parts of the body.

The majority of bleeding disorders are inherited, which means they’re passed from a parent to their child. However, some disorders may develop as a result of other medical conditions, such as liver disease.

Bleeding disorders may also be caused by:

• a low red blood cell count

• a vitamin K deficiency

• side effects from certain medications

Medications that can interfere with the clotting of the blood are called anticoagulants.

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March is Bleeding Disorder month

• What is bleeding disorder?

• Types of bleeding disorders

• What are the symptoms of a bleeding disorder?

• How is a bleeding disorder diagnosed?

• How are bleeding disorders treated?

• What are the possible complications of bleeding disorders?

Other topics:

• Poison Prevention Week March 17 - 24

• Epilepsy

Bleeding Disorder Month

Health Focus

Health Focus | Aon Employee Benefits - Healthcare | Feb-Mar 2019 2

Types of bleeding disorders

Bleeding disorders can be inherited or acquired. Inherited disorders are passed down through genetics. Acquired disorders can develop or spontaneously occur later in life. Some bleeding disorders can result in severe bleeding following an accident or injury. In other disorders, heavy bleeding can happen suddenly and for no reason.

There are numerous different bleeding disorders, but the following are the most common ones:

• Hemophilia A and B are conditions that occur when there are low levels of clotting factors in your blood. It causes heavy or unusual bleeding into the joints. Though hemophilia is rare, it can have life-threatening complications.

• Factor II, V, VII, X, or XII deficiencies are bleeding disorders related to blood clotting problems or abnormal bleeding problems.

• Von Willebrand’s disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. It develops when the blood lacks von Willebrand factor, which helps the blood to clot.

The symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of bleeding disorder. However, the main signs include:

• unexplained and easy bruising

• heavy menstrual bleeding

• frequent nosebleeds

• excessive bleeding from small cuts or an injury (Unusual or excessive bleeding may be indicated by several different signs and symptoms. Patients may present with unexplained nosebleeds (epistaxis), excessive or prolonged menstrual blood flow (menorrhagia), or prolonged bleeding after minor cuts, tooth brushing or flossing, or trauma.)

• bleeding into joints (Hemarthrosis, or articular bleeding, means bleeding into the joints. It can occur after an injury, but is also a complication of a genetic bleeding disorder known as hemophilia. ... Joints allow you to move. Hemarthrosis causes pain and swelling of the joint.)

Schedule an appointment with your doctor right away if you have one or more of these symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose your condition and help to prevent complications associated with certain blood disorders.

What are the symptoms of a bleeding disorder?


How is a bleeding disorder diagnosed?To diagnose a bleeding disorder, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical examination. During your appointment, make sure to mention:

• any medical conditions you currently have

• any medications or supplements you may be taking

• any recent falls or trauma

• how often you experience the bleeding

• how long the bleeding lasts

• what you were doing before the bleeding began

• After gathering this information, your doctor will run blood tests to make a proper diagnosis. These tests may include:

• a complete blood count (CBC), which measures the amount of red and white blood cells in your body

• a platelet aggregation test, which checks how well your platelets clump together

• a bleeding time test, which determines how quickly your blood clots to prevent bleeding

Treatment options vary depending on the type of bleeding disorder and its severity. Though treatments can’t cure bleeding disorders, they can help relieve the symptoms associated with certain disorders.

Iron supplementation

Your doctor may prescribe iron supplements to replenish the amount of iron in your body if you have significant blood loss. A low iron level can result in iron deficiency anemia. This condition can make you feel weak, tired, and dizzy. You may need a blood transfusion if symptoms don’t improve with iron supplementation.

Blood transfusion

A blood transfusion replaces any lost blood with blood taken from a donor. The donor blood has to match your blood type to prevent complications. This procedure can only be done in the hospital.

Other treatments

Some bleeding disorders may be treated with topical products or nasal sprays. Other disorders, including hemophilia, can be treated with factor replacement therapy. This involves injecting clotting factor concentrates into your bloodstream. These injections can prevent or control excessive bleeding.

You can also get fresh frozen plasma transfusions if you lack certain clotting factors. Fresh frozen plasma contains factors V and VIII, which are two important proteins that help with blood clotting. These transfusions must be done in a hospital.

How are bleeding disorders treated?

Most complications associated with bleeding disorders can be prevented or controlled with treatment. However, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Complications often occur when bleeding disorders are treated too late.

Common complications of bleeding disorders include:

• bleeding in the intestines

• bleeding into the brain

• bleeding into the joints

• joint pain

Complications can also arise if the disorder is severe or causes excessive blood loss.

Bleeding disorders can be particularly dangerous for women, especially if they’re not treated quickly. Untreated bleeding disorders increase the risk of excessive bleeding during childbirth,

a miscarriage, or an abortion. Women with bleeding disorders may also experience very heavy menstrual bleeding. This can lead to anemia, a condition that occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues. Anemia can cause weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

If a woman has endometriosis she may have heavy blood loss that she cannot see because it is hidden in the abdominal or pelvic area.

What are the possible complications of bleeding disorders?

It’s important to call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a bleeding disorder. Getting prompt treatment will help prevent any potential complications.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/bleeding-disorders#complications

Poison Prevention Each year, approximately 3 million people— many under age 5— swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance.

To Prevent Poisoning in Your Home:

Most poisonings occur when parents or

caregivers are home but not paying

attention. The most dangerous potential

poisons are medicines, cleaning products,

liquid nicotine, antifreeze, windshield wiper

fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline,

kerosene and lamp oil. Be especially vigilant

when there is a change in routine. Holidays,

visits to family or friends, and other special

events may bring greater risk of poisoning if

the usual safeguards are defeated or not in

place.

• Store medicine, cleaning and laundry

products, (including detergent

packets) paints/varnishes and

pesticides in their original packaging

in locked cabinets or containers, out of

sight and reach of children. It is best to

use traditional liquid or powder

laundry detergents instead of

detergent packets until all children

who live in or visit your home are at

least 6 years old.

• Safety latches that automatically lock

when you close a cabinet door can

help to keep children away from

dangerous products, but there is

always a chance the device will

malfunction or the child will defeat it.

The safest place to store poisonous

products is somewhere a child can’t

see or reach it.

• Purchase and keep all medicines in

containers with safety caps. Discard

unused medication. Note that safety

caps are designed to be child resistant

but are not fully child proof.

• Never refer to medicine as “candy” or

another appealing name.

• Check the label each time you give a

child medicine to ensure proper

dosage. For liquid medicines, use the

dosing device that came with the

medicine. Never use a kitchen spoon.

Watch the video, The Healthy Children

Show: Giving Liquid Medicine Safely,

for more information.

• If you use an e-cigarette, keep the liquid nicotine refills locked up out of children’s reach and only buy refills that use child-resistant packaging. A small amount of liquid nicotine spilled on the skin or swallowed can be fatal to a child. See Liquid Nicotine Used in E-Cigarettes Can Kill Children.

• Never place poisonous products in food or drink containers.

• Keep natural gas-powered appliances, furnaces, and coal, wood or kerosene stoves in safe working order.

• Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Secure remote controls, key fobs, greeting cards, and musical children’s

books. These and other devices may contain small button-cell batteries that can cause injury if ingested.

Know the names of all plants in your home and yard. If you have young children or pets, consider removing those that are poisonous.

Different types and methods of poisoning require different, immediate treatment.

Swallowed poison. Take the item away from the child, and have the child spit out any remaining substance. Do not make your child vomit. Do not use syrup of ipecac.

• Swallowed battery. If your child has

swallowed a button-cell battery or a

battery is lodged in his or her nose,

ear, or throat, seek treatment in a

hospital emergency department

immediately. Serious tissue damage

can occur in as little as 2 hours.

• Skin poison. Remove the child’s clothes

and rinse the skin with lukewarm water

for at least 15 minutes.

• Eye poison. Flush the child’s eye by

holding the eyelid open and pouring a

steady stream of room temperature

water into the inner corner for 15

minutes.

• Poisonous fumes. Take the child

outside or into fresh air immediately. If

the child has stopped breathing, start

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

and do not stop until the child

breathes on his or her own, or until

someone can take over.

• Source: https://www.healthychildren.

org/English/safety-prevention/all-

around/Pages/Poison-Prevention.aspx

Poison Information Centres:

In case of poisoning, contact the poison

control centre immediately as emergency

steps need to be taken before leaving for

the hospital.

Gauteng - Unitas (toll free) 0800 111 229

Western Cape - AfriTox Poison Information

Helpline: 0860 555 777

Kwazulu-Natal - Saint Augustine’s Hospital

Durban (toll free): 0800 333 444

Free State- Universities (Poison Centre): 051

401 3111

Source: https://www.parent24.com/Family/

Health/

Emergency-numbers-20150826


EpilepsyEpilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.

Anyone can develop epilepsy. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages.

Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn’t mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.

Treatment with medications or sometimes surgery can control seizures for the majority of people with epilepsy. Some people require lifelong treatment to control seizures, but for others, the seizures eventually go away. Some children with epilepsy may outgrow the condition with age.

Symptoms

Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include:

• Temporary confusion

• A staring spell

• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

• Loss of consciousness or awareness

• Psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu

Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.

Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalised, based on how the abnormal brain activity begins.

Focal seizures

When seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one area of your brain, they’re called focal (partial) seizures. These seizures fall into two categories:

• Focal seizures without loss of consciousness. Once called simple partial seizures, these seizures don’t cause a loss of consciousness. They may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound. They may also result in involuntary jerking of a body part, such as an arm or leg, and spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness and flashing lights.

• Focal seizures with impaired awareness. Once

called complex partial seizures, these seizures

involve a change or loss of consciousness or

awareness. During a complex partial seizure, you

may stare into space and not respond normally

to your environment or perform repetitive

movements, such as hand rubbing, chewing,

swallowing or walking in circles.

Symptoms of focal seizures may be confused with

other neurological disorders, such as migraine,

narcolepsy or mental illness. A thorough examination

and testing are needed to distinguish epilepsy from

other disorders.

Generalized seizures

Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain

are called generalized seizures. Six types of

generalized seizures exist.

• Absence seizures. Absence seizures, previously

known as petit mal seizures, often occur in

children and are characterized by staring into

space or subtle body movements such as eye

blinking or lip smacking. These seizures may

occur in clusters and cause a brief loss of

awareness.

• Tonic seizures. Tonic seizures cause stiffening of

your muscles. These seizures usually affect

muscles in your back, arms and legs and may

cause you to fall to the ground.

• Atonic seizures. Atonic seizures, also known as

drop seizures, cause a loss of muscle control,

which may cause you to suddenly collapse or fall

down.

• Clonic seizures. Clonic seizures are associated

with repeated or rhythmic, jerking muscle

movements. These seizures usually affect the

neck, face and arms.

• Myoclonic seizures. Myoclonic seizures usually

appear as sudden brief jerks or twitches of your

arms and legs.

• Tonic-clonic seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures,

previously known as grand mal seizures, are the

most dramatic type of epileptic seizure and can

cause an abrupt loss of consciousness, body

stiffening and shaking, and sometimes loss of

bladder control or biting your tongue.



Epilepsy - Continued

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical help if any of the following occurs:

• The seizure lasts more than five minutes.

• Breathing or consciousness doesn’t return after the seizure stops.

• A second seizure follows immediately.

• You have a high fever.

• You’re experiencing heat exhaustion.

• You’re pregnant.

• You have diabetes.

• You’ve injured yourself during the seizure.

If you experience a seizure for the first time, seek medical advice.

Causes

Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including:

• Genetic influence. Some types of epilepsy, which are categorized by the type of seizure you experience or the part of the brain that is affected, run in families. In these cases, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence.

Researchers have linked some types of epilepsy to specific genes, but for most people, genes are only part of the cause of epilepsy. Certain genes may make a person more sensitive to environmental conditions that trigger seizures.

• Head trauma. Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy.

• Brain conditions. Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35.

• Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.

• Prenatal injury. Before birth, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors, such as an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy.

• Developmental disorders. Epilepsy can sometimes be associated with developmental disorders, such as autism and neurofibromatosis.

Risk factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of epilepsy:

• Age. The onset of epilepsy is most common in children and older adults, but the condition can occur at any age.

• Family history. If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder.

• Head injuries. Head injuries are responsible for some cases of epilepsy. You can reduce your risk by wearing a seat belt while riding in a car and by wearing a helmet while bicycling, skiing, riding a motorcycle or engaging in other activities with a high risk of head injury.

• Stroke and other vascular diseases. Stroke and other blood vessel (vascular) diseases can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy. You can take a number of steps to reduce your risk of these diseases, including limiting your intake of alcohol and avoiding cigarettes, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

• Dementia. Dementia can increase the risk of epilepsy in older adults.

• Brain infections. Infections such as meningitis, which causes inflammation in your brain or spinal cord, can increase your risk.

• Seizures in childhood. High fevers in childhood can sometimes be associated with seizures. Children who have seizures due to high fevers generally won’t develop epilepsy. The risk of epilepsy increases if a child has a long seizure, another nervous system condition or a family history of epilepsy.

Complications

Having a seizure at certain times can lead to circumstances that are dangerous to yourself or others.

• Falling. If you fall during a seizure, you can injure your head or break a bone.

• Drowning. If you have epilepsy, you’re 15 to 19 times more likely to drown while swimming or bathing than the rest of the population because of the possibility of having a seizure while in the water.

• Car accidents. A seizure that causes either loss of awareness or control can be dangerous if you’re driving a car or operating other equipment.

Many states have driver’s license restrictions related to a driver’s ability to control seizures and impose a minimum amount of time that a driver be seizure-free, ranging from months to years, before being allowed to drive.

• Pregnancy complications. Seizures during pregnancy pose dangers to both mother and baby, and certain anti-epileptic medications increase the risk of birth defects. If you have epilepsy and you’re considering becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor as you plan your pregnancy.

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For more information from Aon Employee Benefits on healthcare, retirement benefits and a wide range of topics feel free to go to www.aon.co.za.

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Most women with epilepsy can become pregnant and have healthy babies. You’ll need to be carefully monitored throughout pregnancy, and medications may need to be adjusted. It’s very important that you work with your doctor to plan your pregnancy.

• Emotional health issues. People with epilepsy are more likely to have psychological problems, especially depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Problems may be a result of difficulties dealing with the condition itself as well as medication side effects.

Other life-threatening complications of epilepsy are uncommon, but may happen, such as:

• Status epilepticus. This condition occurs if you’re in a state of continuous seizure activity lasting more than five minutes or if you have frequent recurrent seizures without regaining full consciousness in between them. People with status epilepticus have an increased risk of permanent brain damage and death.

• Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). People with epilepsy also have a small risk of sudden unexpected death. The cause is unknown, but some research shows it may occur due to heart or respiratory conditions.

People with frequent tonic-clonic seizures or people whose seizures aren’t controlled by medications may be at higher risk of SUDEP. Overall, about 1 percent of people with epilepsy die of SUDEP.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093

Epilepsy - Continued

Epilepsy South Africa

National Office: 021 595 4900

Western Cape: 021 703 9420

Mpumalanga & Limpopo: 013 254 0161

Gauteng: 011 816 2040

Free State & North West: 056 811 5959

Source: https://www.parent24.com/Family/Health/Helplines-support-groups-20150826

Websites:

https://epilepsy.org.za/new/

https://epilepsyawarenesssa.wixsite.com/supportgroups

https://search.info4africa.org.za/Organisation?Id=82473


Health Focus - Aon South Africa...cause weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness. If a woman has endometriosis she may have heavy blood loss that she cannot see because it …

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