BLOOD DISEASES

COMPONENTS OF BLOOD THAT CAN BE DAMAGED

• Plasma• Red blood cells (erythrocytes)

• Carries oxygen

• White blood cells (leukocytes)• Fights infections

• Platelets • Blood clot

BLOOD DISORDERS

1. Disorders associated with red blood cells (RBC)• Anemia – low RBC count = low oxygen

• People will get tired and lack the energy to perform regular tasks• Dizziness, lightheadedness, and a

fast heart rate• Easy to catch other illnesses

• What causes anemia at the cellular level?• Excessive destruction of RBCs • Blood loss • Inadequate production of RBCs

WAYS OF CAUSING ANEMIA• 1. Excessive destruction of RBCs

• Hemolytic (hemo – blood, lytic – breakdown)• Red blood cells are destroyed prematurely• Production in the bone marrow cannot keep up

or maintain ‘homeostasis’• Homeostasis - State of balance between the

inside of the body and the external environment • Causes

• Infections, medications, inherited• Blood loss • Inadequate production of RBCs

• Treatments• Bone marrow transplant

MECHANISMS OF ANEMIA• 2. Sickle-cell anemia

• Genetic disease • Sickle shaped

(crescent moon)• Low surface area• Abnormal form of

hemoglobin• Can clog blood

vessels• Cure?

• None• But treatments for the

pain• Blood transfusion

MECHANISMS OF ANEMIA• 3. Blood loss

• Excessive bleeding, or injury• Internal bleeding• Heavy menstrual periods

• When large amounts of blood are excreted, what else are you losing?• What does your body need to replenish?• Caused by lack of iron (hemoglobin?)

• Treatments• Iron diet• Birth control pill to control the menstrual

cycle

MECHANISMS OF ANEMIA

• 4. Inadequate production of RBCs• Caused by infections, exposure to toxic

chemicals, and or medication• Iron deficiency can also cause the lack

of RBC production.• Treatments• Bone marrow transplant for serious

cases• Iron diet

MECHANISMS OF ANEMIA• 5. Faulty synthesis of hemoglobin –

Called Thalassemia • Genetic disorder involving faulty hemoglobin synthesis. • Common in Asian and African population. • Caused by a mutation in the DNA that makes

hemoglobin.

Symptoms: • Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, slow growth, and swelling in

abdomen.

Treatment: • Blood transfusion to remove excess iron.

AFFECTING THE WHITE BLOOD CELLS

• Increase the amount of WBC• Leukemia

• Blood cancer • Cancer = uncontrolled growth of our cells,

and in leukemia’s case, white blood cells. • Lots of WBC and not many RBC• As the disease progresses – mature WBC

decreases and large numbers of immature white WBC increases

• Can’t fight infections• Also affects blood clotting

• Treatments of Leukemia• Radiation/chemotherapy• Bone marrow transplant

AFFECTING THE PLATELETS

• Take away the clotting abilities• Hemophilia

• Inherited disorder (genetic) that prevents normal blood clotting.

• Lack the proteins needed for normal blood clotting

• When you have it, you bleed for a long time

• Treatments• Give or replace the protein required for blood

clotting to occur (Replacement therapy)• Hormone therapy – stimulates the body to

produce more of the blood clotting protein

HEMOPHILIA

THROMBOSIS• Formation of a blood clot inside a

blood vessel causing obstruction of blood flow.

• Can be found in both arteries and veins

• Common is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

THROMBOSIS• Formation of a blood clot inside a

blood vessel causing obstruction of blood flow.

• Can be found in both arteries and veins

• Common is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

THROMBOSIS• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

• Symptoms:• Swelling in affected leg, pain,

cramping. • Severe symptoms is when the clot

can travel and block the arteries of your lungs called (Pulmonary Embolism)

• Treatments:• Blood thinners, clot dissolvers, and

surgery if serious.