Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid that carries blood cells. Not only blood cells, blood plasma also plays a role in carrying various important nutrients that support body health.
Blood plasma is a part of blood that tends to be forgotten. In fact, the role of blood plasma in the body is no less important than red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Various Functions of Blood Plasma
Blood plasma is the largest part of the blood itself, which is 55% of the total blood volume. Blood plasma itself consists of 92% water, while the other 8% consists of important materials such as protein, glucose, immunoglobulins, and electrolytes.
Blood plasma has many important functions in the body, including:
1. Transporting waste
Blood plasma is responsible for helping body cells get rid of metabolic waste products. After that, this waste will be carried by blood plasma to other areas of the body, such as the kidneys or liver, for disposal.
2. Maintain body fluid balance
Blood plasma contains many proteins, but the most important are albumin and fibrinogen. nowAlbumin in the blood has an important role in maintaining the balance of body fluids. This protein is in charge of maintaining fluid in the blood vessels from seeping into the tissues.
3. Helps the blood clotting process
In addition to fibrinogen, blood plasma also contains various blood clotting factors. Fibrinogen and these factors play a role in the process of blood clotting. If their levels in blood plasma are low, it will be difficult for blood to stop flowing when bleeding occurs. This can cause the body to lose a lot of blood.
4. Maintain body temperature
Blood plasma also plays a role in maintaining body temperature by absorbing or releasing heat according to the body's needs.
5. Helps fight infection
Immunoglobulins contained in blood plasma play a role in the immune system. Its presence is able to help the body fight infections caused by bacteria and viruses.
6. Maintain acid and alkaline balance
Potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and bicarbonate are electrolytes found in blood plasma. These electrolytes play a role in maintaining the acid and alkaline balance in the body. Not only that, they also play a role in regulating nerve and muscle function.
Blood Plasma and Body Health
Several health conditions may cause a person to need a donor or blood plasma transfusion. For that, a healthy person can donate blood plasma through blood donation.
From the blood that has been donated, the donor officer will separate the blood plasma from the cells in it with the help of a machine. After that, blood plasma can be donated to patients in need.
Blood plasma is usually required in rare chronic diseases such as hemophilia and autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. Giving this therapy can help patients live longer and be more productive in carrying out daily activities.
Even in patients with COVID-19, protein and antibody donors found in the blood plasma of patients who have been declared cured can help other COVID-19 positive patients recover. This therapy is called convalescent plasma therapy. However, to ensure its safety, it is necessary to carry out several tests before blood plasma donation is carried out.
Blood plasma contains many components, each of which has an important role in the body. Therefore, disturbances in blood plasma can cause various symptoms, depending on what components are disturbed.
Some of the symptoms that indicate a disturbance in blood plasma components include easy bruising, fatigue, brittle nails, frequent tingling in the hands and feet, decreased appetite, bone pain, and frequent infections.
If you frequently experience one or more of these symptoms, consult a doctor. If deemed necessary, the doctor may advise you to do a blood plasma test to determine the condition that causes these symptoms.