Your blood consists of two parts, the formed elements- the cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and the platelets, and the other part is plasma- the liquid.
The function of cellular elements can be described as follows:
- Red blood cells- it carries oxygen to various organs of the body.
- White blood cells- help fight against infections.
- Platelets- they clot the blood.
Most blood disorders affect blood cells, but sometimes they can affect plasma too.
If you have any blood disorder, you need to visit the healthcare provider frequently for follow-up visits. To get an expert opinion, you can consult with a Hematologist in Lahore.
What Are Blood Disorders?
A blood disorder is a condition that affects the cells or plasma of blood. It can be of various types.
The type of blood disorders that affect your red blood cells are:
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which your red blood cell level falls below the normal range. Mild anemia does not cause many symptoms, but it becomes severe, it can cause symptoms.
The common symptoms of anemia are breathlessness upon exertion, fatigue, and dizziness.
Anemia can be classified into the following types:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Pernicious anemia
- Anemia due to chronic conditions
- Aplastic anemia
- Pernicious anemia- occurs due to the deficiency of vitamin B12.
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Sickle cell anemia
- Polycythemia vera
- Malaria
Blood disorders that affect the white blood cells are:
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is the cancer of your lymph tissues. In it, your white blood cells become malignant and replicate rapidly, increasing in numbers.
Lymphoma can be classified as Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. To treat it, your healthcare providers administer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The prognosis differs from person to person.
Leukemia
Leukemia is cancer in which your white blood cells become malignant inside the bone marrow and replicate in large amounts there.
Leukemia can be acute/fast replicating or chronic/slow progressing. To cure the condition, your healthcare providers may advise you to get a bone marrow transplant done.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is cancer in which the plasma cells become malignant and multiply in huge amounts. The plasma cells release a substance that damages the organs.
Until now, there is no cure for multiple myeloma. However, stem cell transplants can help in prolonging life.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndrome is a collection of cancers that affect the bone marrow. Often it is slowly progressing. But it can also become progressive rapidly and turn into severe leukemia.
Treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome is blood transfusions, stem cell transplants, and chemotherapy.
Blood disorders that affect the platelet are:
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which your blood lacks platelets. Since platelets help in blood clotting, when its deficiency occurs, the person bleeds.
However, sometimes thrombocytopenia does not cause abnormal bleeding.
Thrombocytopenia can be of the following types:
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Another type of platelet disorder is essential thrombocytosis or primary thrombocythemia- a condition in which your body produces too many platelets.
The Bottom Line
Blood disorders are of various types. Your healthcare provider may perform various tests to confirm the condition you have.
If you have a blood disorder, you must not delay the visit to the healthcare provider and when diagnosed, make sure to visit the healthcare provider frequently. To get an expert opinion, you can consult with a Hematologist in Karachi.
