Blood performs various essential functions as it circulates through the body. It delivers oxygen and essential nutrients (such as fats, sugars, minerals, and vitamins) to the body's tissues. It carries carbon dioxide to the lungs and other waste products to the kidneys for elimination from the body. It transports hormones (chemical messengers) to allow various parts of the body to communicate with each other. Also, it carries components that fight infection and stop bleeding.
Blood Disorders Sections (A-Z)
ANEMIA
Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in them) is low.
BIOLOGY OF BLOOD
Blood is a complex mixture of
BLEEDING DUE TO ABNORMAL BLOOD VESSELS
Autoerythrocyte sensitization causes painful bruises, usually on the arms or legs.
BLOOD CLOTTING PROCESS
Hemostasis is the body's way of stopping injured blood vessels from bleeding. Hemostasis includes clotting of the blood.
How Blood Clots
Bruising and Bleeding
BLOOD TRANSFUSION
A blood transfusion is the transfer of blood or a blood component from one healthy person (a donor) to another sick person (a recipient).
Overview of Blood Transfusion
Blood Donation Process
Blood Products
Special Blood Donation Procedures
Precautions and Adverse Reactions During Blood Transfusion
EXCESSIVE CLOTTING
(See also How Blood Clots)
Excessive Clotting
IRON OVERLOAD
Iron is essential for life, so the body usually tightly controls iron absorption from food and recycles the iron from red blood cells. People lose small amounts of iron every day, and even a healthy diet contains only a small amount of iron. Thus, people rarely have too much iron in their body. Causes of excess iron in the body (iron overload) include the following:
Overview of Iron Overload
Hemosiderosis
Hemochromatosis
Secondary Iron Overload
LEUKEMIAS
Leukemias are cancers of white blood cells or of cells that develop into white blood cells.
Overview of Leukemia
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
LYMPHOMAS
Lymphomas are cancers of lymphocytes, which reside in the lymphatic system and in blood-forming organs.
Overview of Lymphoma
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas
Burkitt Lymphoma
Mycosis Fungoides
MYELOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS
In myeloproliferative disorders (myelo = bone marrow, proliferative = rapid multiplication), the blood-producing cells in the bone marrow (precursor cells, also called stem cells) develop and reproduce excessively or are crowded out by an overgrowth of fibrous tissue. Typically, these disorders are acquired and not inherited, although rarely there are families in which several members have these disorders.
Overview of Myeloproliferative Disorders
Erythrocytosis
Polycythemia Vera
Myelofibrosis
Primary Thrombocythemia
Secondary Thrombocythemia
PLASMA CELL DISORDERS
Plasma cell disorders are uncommon. They begin when a single plasma cell multiplies excessively. The resulting group of genetically identical cells (called a clone) produces a large quantity of a single type of antibody (immunoglobulin). Plasma cells develop from B cells (B lymphocytes), a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies. These proteins help the body fight infection.
Overview of Plasma Cell Disorders
Heavy Chain Diseases
Macroglobulinemia
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
Multiple Myeloma
PLATELET DISORDERS
Platelets (sometimes called thrombocytes) are cell fragments that circulate in the bloodstream and help blood clot. Thrombopoietin, primarily produced in the liver, stimulates the bone marrow to make large cells (megakaryocytes), which in turn make platelets from their cytoplasm. Platelets that are not used in clots circulate for 7 to 10 days and are then destroyed. About one third are always stored in the spleen.
Overview of Platelet Disorders
Overview of Thrombocytopenia
Immune Thrombocytopenia
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) and Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
Platelet Dysfunction
Von Willebrand Disease
SPLEEN DISORDERS
The spleen, a spongy, soft organ about as big as a person’s fist, is located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just under the rib cage. The splenic artery brings blood to the spleen from the heart. Blood leaves the spleen through the splenic vein, which drains into a larger vein (the portal vein) that carries the blood to the liver. The spleen has a covering of fibrous tissue (the splenic capsule) that supports its blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
Overview of the Spleen
Enlarged Spleen
SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS OF BLOOD DISORDERS
Disorders that affect the blood are called blood disorders or hematologic disorders. There are many blood disorders, and they can affect the quantity as well as the functionality of the cells in the blood (blood cells) or proteins in the blood clotting system or immune system.
Overview of Blood Disorders
Symptoms of Blood Disorders
Medical History and Physical Examination for Blood Disorders
Laboratory Tests for Blood Disorders
Bone Marrow Examination
WHITE BLOOD CELL DISORDERS
White blood cells (leukocytes) are an important part of the body’s defense against infectious organisms and foreign substances (the immune system). To defend the body adequately, a sufficient number of white blood cells must receive a message that an infectious organism or foreign substance has invaded the body, get to where they are needed, and then kill and digest the harmful organism or substance (see Figure: Lymphatic System: Helping Defend Against Infection).
Overview of White Blood Cell Disorders
High White Blood Cell Count
Basophilic Disorders
Eosinophilic Disorders
Lymphocytic Leukocytosis
Lymphocytopenia
Monocyte Disorders
Neutropenia
Neutrophilic Leukocytosis.
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