Kristin Prior was a little girl when she began to see what other people might have considered unusual as normal. The slightest bump or tap would cause a severe bruise. Nosebleeds were frequent and often unavoidable. Kristin’s heavy, lengthy, and burdensome menstrual periods became a problem as she grew up and continued to experience them into adulthood. These symptoms often prevented Kristin from participating in activities with her friends or made her anxious about what she would encounter.

Kristin was silently suffering from Von Willebrand disease (VWD), which is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), VWD is a condition that affects approximately 1% of Americans. There are many cases that have been misdiagnosed as well as undiagnosed. VWD is caused when von Willebrand factors, a protein required for clotting, are either absent or not functioning properly.

Easy bruising, frequent or prolonged nosebleeds, heavy or prolonged periods, heavy bleeding, prolonged menstruation, bleeding after injury, childbirth, or surgery, and bleeding during dental procedures are the most common symptoms of von Willebrand Disease.

“Although I was experiencing many of the five signs and symptoms of von Willebrand disease my entire life, I didn’t attribute them to an underlying condition,”Kristin. “I was 32 years old when I was diagnosed with VWD. Having a name for what I had dealt with all those years and now being on an appropriate treatment has changed my life for the better.”

Kristin’s story appears on HealthyWomen.org. This award-winning website is the nation’s most trusted nonprofit source of health information for women. HealthyWomen created educational materials on the topic for women. The educational grant provided funding for the development of these resources. CSL Behring. VWD can cause serious health problems, especially for women. VWD, if left undiagnosed in women can lead to life-threatening bleeding and needless hysterectomies.

“Kristin’s story is representative of so many women who are unaware of bleeding disorders like VWD, yet have been negatively impacted by the symptoms for years,”Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill RN Executive Director of HealthyWomen “Our materials are designed to give women easy-to-understand information about VWD. Ultimately, we want to encourage women to listen to their bodies. Unexplained bleeding or bruising are not normal. If they are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, women should speak to their healthcare provider.”

Learn more about von Willebrand Disease. www.HealthyWomen.org.

The pace of life today is rapid. The rise of digital technology has allowed people to communicate with each other via the internet and simultaneously check their children’s soccer scores. With the advent of the Internet, consumers can expect the same conveniences from all services and businesses except their insurance companies. For many people struggling to pay their medical bills, this can seem like a long wait, even though 98 percent of claims for health insurance are processed in 30 days.

It is no longer enough to be insured, as nearly two-thirds of American households have less income than 2002. It is vital to understand how quickly and efficiently your insurance carrier pays claims. This is critical for both financial recovery and physical recovery.

Recent research found that 66% would not be able to adjust to the high financial cost of serious illnesses or injuries. Only 49% have enough money to cover out-of pocket expenses. Additionally, rising healthcare costs have forced employers to take cost-saving measures that are putting employees under greater financial pressure.

* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.

* Increasing employees’ share of premium.

* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.

Some people might have to wait as long as a month to receive their insurance payments. Many insurance companies are able to offer fast service because they have better technology and an understanding of today’s consumer needs. This is one example. AflacIt is almost rare for insurance companies to offer policies that include claims processing, approval, and payment in a single day.

In the past, fast payment policies were a luxury. It’s a necessity. It is more important than ever that you have money available immediately for serious injuries or illnesses. Your insurance company should be able to respond quickly.

Aflac’s One Day Pay guarantee can be found on aflac.com/onedaypay.