Blood Disorders

Before we study about blood disorders,

we must know the composition of blood

in a healthy individual.

Blood is a body fluid in humans and other animals

that delivers necessary substances

such as nutrients and oxygen

to the cells.

In vertebrates,

it is composed of blood cells

suspended in blood plasma.

The blood cells are mainly

Red Blood Cells

also called RBCs or Erythrocytes,

White Blood Cells

also called WBCs or leukocytes,

and Platelets.

Plasma which constitutes 55% of blood fluid

is mostly water,

92% by volume

and contains dissipated proteins,

glucose, mineral ions,

hormones and carbon dioxide.

All the blood cells families

work together

and maintain your body

so that you are healthy and strong.

Red blood cells transport oxygen

to your body's organs and tissues.

White blood cells help your body

fight infections.

Platelets are tiny molecules

that stick up together

and build a clot

on bleeding wounds.

All three cell types

formed in the bone marrow,

which is the soft tissue

inside your bones.

Your body needs millions of blood cells

produced by bone marrow

to carry out vital functions.

But sometimes

bone marrow cannot work properly

due to certain factors

and results in blood cell disorders.

A blood cell disorder

is a condition in which there's a problem

with your red blood cells,

white blood cells,

or the smaller circulating cells

called platelets.

Blood cell disorders impair the formation

and function of one or more

of these types of blood cells.

Thalassemia is a group

of inherited blood disorders.

These disorders are caused by genetic mutations

that prevent the normal production of hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin is the carrier molecule

which carries the oxygen

obtained during the process of respiration.

When red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin,

oxygen doesn't get to all parts of the body.

Organs then do not function properly.

These disorders can result in:

bone deformities,

enlarged spleen,

heart problems,

growth and developmental delays in children.

People who suffer from thalassemia

need to undergo regular blood transfusions

to maintain healthy RBCs

and hemoglobin levels in the body.

Leukemia

Leukemia is blood cancer

in which malignant white blood cells multiply

inside your body's bone marrow.

Usually,

leukemia involves the production

of abnormal white blood cells,

the cells responsible for fighting infection.

However,

the abnormal cells in leukemia

do not function in the same way

as normal white blood cells.

The leukemia cells

continue to grow and divide,

eventually crowding out

the normal blood cells.

The end result

is that it becomes difficult for the body

to fight infections,

control bleeding,

and transport oxygen.

What causes leukemia?

Is leukemia hereditary?

The exact cause of leukemia is not known,

but it is thought to involve

a combination of genetic

and environmental factors.

Leukemia cells have acquired mutations

in their DNA

that cause them to grow abnormally

and lose functions

of typical white blood cells.

It is not clear

what causes these mutations to occur.

One type of change

in the cells' DNA

that is common in leukemia

is known as a chromosome translocation.

In this process,

a portion of one chromosome breaks off

and attaches to a different chromosome.

Most cases of leukemia

are not believed to be hereditary,

but certain genetic mutations and conditions

can be passed along to offspring

that increase the chances

of developing leukemia.

Treatments

Treatment for your leukemia

depends on many factors.

Your doctor determines

your leukemia treatment

based on your age

and overall health,

the type of leukemia you have,

and whether it has spread

to other parts of your body,

including the central nervous system.

Common treatments used to fight leukemia

include stem cell transplant,

chemotherapy,

and radiation therapy.

Blood Groups and Blood Transfusion Disorders of Blood

What is Blood?

There are various definitions

which defines blood.

In simple words

it is a red liquid

which circulates in arteries and veins.

humans and other vertebrate animals

carrying oxygen too

and carbon dioxide

from the tissues of the body.

Other defines blood as vital principle of life.

It is the mechanism of blood

in bodies of living organism

which can differentiate

one individual from the other

based on the presence or absence

of specific antigens in blood.

This system is called Blood Group.

There are four blood groups:

A, B, AB and O blood groups.

While blood types are 100% genetically inherited,

the environment can potentially determine

which blood types in a population

will be passed on more frequently

to the next generation.

Blood Type A:

If the red blood cell has only "A" molecules on it.

Blood Type B:

If the red blood cell has only "B" molecules on it.

Blood Type AB:

If the red blood cell has a mixture

of both "A" & "B" molecules.

Blood Type O:

If the red blood cell has neither "A" or "B" molecule.

Blood Group Facts

There are eight different common blood types,

which are determined

by the presence or absence of certain antigens,

which are substances

that can trigger an immune response

if they are foreign to the human body.

Since some antigens

can trigger a patient's immune system

to attack the transfused blood,

safe blood transfusions

depend on careful blood typing

and cross-matching.

Now the next turn is to know

about an interesting factor

known as Rh-factor,

which can be either present (+)

or absent (-).

In general,

Rh-negative blood

is given to Rh-negative patients

and Rh-positive blood

or Rh-negative blood

may be given to Rh-positive patients.

Are you a universal donor?

Or a universal recipient?

The universal red cell donor

has Type O negative blood type.

The universal plasma donor

has Type AB positive blood type.

Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is a medical term.

It means a procedure used to transfer blood,

or some products based on blood,

from the circulatory system of one human

to that of another human.

Blood types are very important

when a blood transfusion is necessary.

In a blood transfusion,

a patient must receive a blood type

compatible with his or her own blood type.

If the blood types are not compatible,

red blood cells will clump together,

making clots that can block blood vessels

causing a potentially fatal situation.

Therefore,

it is important that blood types can be matched

before blood transfusions take place.

In an emergency,

type O blood can be given

because it is most likely to be accepted

by all blood types.

However,

there is still a risk involved.

Why Blood Transfusions Are Performed?

Loss of blood during surgery

or from an injury or an illness,

An inability to make enough blood,

Some illnesses and treatments

can harm the bone marrow's ability to make blood

e.g., chemotherapy decreases production

of new blood cells.,

To prevent complications

from an existing blood or bleeding disorder,

such as sickle cell disease,

thalassemia,

or anaemia caused by kidney disease,

haemophilia, or von Willebrand disease.

Preparing for a blood donation

If your child needs a blood transfusion,

the doctor will speak to you

about the procedure.

If you have questions,

be sure to ask.

When you feel comfortable with the information

and your questions have been fully answered,

you will be asked

to sign an informed consent form.

This form states that you understand

the procedure and its risks,

and you give permission

for your child to have the blood transfusion.

If the situation is not a life-threatening emergency,

two tests will be done

before the transfusion:

Blood typing and Cross-matching.

Common Myth About Blood Donation

"I can't donate because I have low iron"

Your red blood cell count

doesn't stay low forever.

Come in and see if it's improved.

Iron-rich food helps promote blood production.

Citrus fruit helps your body absorb iron.

Dark, leafy-green vegetables

are good source of iron.

Lean red meat as well as salmon and tuna

are good sources of iron.

"I can't donate because I am Diabetic."

Diabetics may donate blood

even if they take medication.

Oral medication is acceptable.

Insulin-dependent diabetics

may donate

provided they have not use beef-sourced insulin

since the 1st of January, 1980.

"I can't donate because I have high blood pressure."

As long as your blood pressure

is below 180 systolic

and 100 diastolic,

you may donate.

Medications taken for high blood pressure

do not disqualify you from donating.

"I can't donate because I take medication."

Most medication

will not disqualify you as a blood donor.

You may donate

if you take aspirin,

birth control pills

or high blood pressure medications.

You may donate

24 hrs following your last dose of antibiotics

and are symptom-free.

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