Blood Disorders
Blood disorders refer to the malfunctioning of the blood or blood cells causing it to fail in certain functions. Blood disorders may be caused by a variety of reasons, such as heredity, birth defects and illnesses. Due to the vast complexity of blood, with many cells and other minerals circulating within it, there are many disorders especially when each every matter in our blood is essential for survival.
- Red blood cell disorders
- White blood cell diseases
- Clotting disorders
- Platelet disorders
- Others
Red Blood Cell Disorders
Anemia
Anemia is one of the most common blood diseases.
The most common type of anemia is iron-deficiency anemia, which occurs because the marrow fails to produce sufficient red blood cells. The production of haemoglobin and red blood cells are slowed down when insufficient iron is available to the bone marrow. Common causes of iron-deficiency anemia are poor nutrition, certain infections that result in gastrointestinal blood loss and the consequent chronic loss of iron.
Sickle-cell anemia is usually a hereditary disease. It causes abnormalities in the shape of the red blood cells and the haemoglobin; the infected red blood cells shaped like crescent and seem wilted, hence the name. Due to its decreased surface area, oxygen cannot be transported efficiently to the tissues and organs. Prolonged condition without treatment may result in pain and organ damage.
White Blood Cell Disorders
Lymphocytopenia
Lymphocytopenia is an abnormally low blood count in the bloodstream. Lymphocytes are responsible for the secretion of antibodies against foreign particles and micro-organisms. These antibodies may either destroy the particles or cause them to coagulate forming a larger mass that can be easily recognized and eliminated via phagocytosis, or the engulfing and ingestion of foreign matter by our white blood cells. A lack of lymphocytes in our body would therefore directly correspond to a decrease in the efficiency of the immune system and coagulation of foreign particles. This leaves our body susceptible to infections and diseases.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a disease in which excess white blood cells are produced, particularly immature white blood cells. It is a type of cancer that infects the bone marrow and other blood-forming tissues all over the body. It seems to be related to a failure of the developing leukocytes to mature. The regular mature leukocytes can not reproduce and are replaced at the end of their lives. However, leukemic cells have the ability to reproduce but they don't have the ability to develop sufficiently to act like the normal leukocytes against infection. With the progress of Leukemia, the leukemic cells replace the regular leukocytes, leaving the patient completely vulnerable to infection.
Clotting Disorders
Haemophilia
Haemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder in which one of the plasma clotting factors is produced in abnormally low quantities, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding from minor injuries. It tends to only affect males. Individuals with haemophilia are able to form a good initial platelet plug when blood vessels are damaged, but they are not easily able to form the meshwork that holds the clot firmly intact, resulting in bleeding.
Platelet Disorders
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
The immune thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP, is related to a disorder in the immune system. The normal proteins that are found on the blood platelets are recognized by the immune system as antigens or foreign particles to the body. This signals the white blood cells to produce an antibody against the platelets. The antibodies bind to the platelets and eventually the platelets are mistakenly destroyed by through phagocytosis and blood platelet count decreases. Platelet productions in ITP patients are significantly lesser as compared to the average human being. Autoantibody production by either the spleen or the bone marrow itself can trigger of ITP. Obvious symptoms include the formation of purplish patches or tiny red dots on the skin.
Others
Blood Poisoning
Blood poisoning is usually a complication of an infection where the foreign particle involved escapes into the bloodstream. The antibodies secrete toxins that impede the foreign particle in the blood resulting in slower blood flow to the tissues. Blood poisoning occurs most frequently amongst people who have just undergone invasive treatment or in people with weakened immune systems, with symptoms of chills and fever.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma results from malignant plasma cells in the bloodstream and can be considered as a form of cancer. The disease affects the reproductive rate of the cells, causing them to reproduce indefinitely. Out of control, the cells form tumors which usually grow near the bone marrow. The large growth of tumors around the bone marrow will interfere with the cell-production function of the marrow causing it to malfunction. There would be a shortage of cells produced by the marrow and this might lead to further complications. Insufficient red blood cells will cause anemia and lack of oxygen to tissues and organs. Insufficient blood platelets will lead to excessive bleeding from a cut or wound. A deficiency in the white blood cell count would cause a weaker immune system, leaving the body highly susceptible to diseases and foreign invasive particles.