Blood disorder or k diseaseblood disorder is disturbancewhich occurs in one or more parts of the blood so thataffectnumber and function. Blood disorders can be acute or chronic.
Blood contains both liquid and solid substances. The liquid part is called blood plasma. More than half of the blood is blood plasma. While the solid part is the blood cells consisting of red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets (platelets).
Blood cells have different functions. Here is the explanation:
- Red blood cells function to transport oxygen to body tissues
- White blood cells function to fight infection
- Platelets help the blood clotting process
- Blood plasma functions to produce antibodies in the body
Any blood disorder will have an impact on the function of that part of the blood.
Symptoms of Blood Disorders
Symptoms that arise due to the occurrence of blood disorders vary, depending on the underlying cause. Some of these symptoms are:
- Easy bruising
- Nosebleed
- Bleeding gums
- Tired quickly
- Recurrent fever
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Heart beat
- Hard to breathe
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if you feel symptoms of blood disorders. Some blood disorders occur for a long time and can recur. Regular check-ups with the doctor need to be done to prevent the condition from recurring or prevent complications.
If there are complications or more serious symptoms, such as the appearance of symptoms of bleeding that can't stop, shortness of breath, or chest pain, go to the emergency room of a hospital immediately for medical attention as soon as possible.
Causes of Blood Disorders
Blood disorders consist of several types, depending on the part of the blood that is disturbed and the underlying cause. The following are some blood disorders that affect red blood cells:
1. Anemia
Anemia occurs when red blood cell levels are very low, either due to excessive bleeding, iron deficiency, or vitamin B12 deficiency. In severe enough anemia, the patient will look pale, tired easily, and often short of breath.
2. Aplastic Anemia
This condition occurs when the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells, including red blood cells. The cause of aplastic anemia is unknown, but it is thought to be triggered by viral infections, autoimmune diseases, side effects of drug use, chemotherapy, and pregnancy.
3. Hemolytic Autoimmune Anemia
In hemolytic autoimmune anemia, the body's immune system becomes overactive and will mistakenly destroy red blood cells, causing anemia. This condition is caused by an autoimmune disorder, which is a condition when the body's immune system attacks itself.
4. Anemia Sel Sabit
This condition makes red blood cells become sticky and stiff, thus blocking blood flow. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease. Patients with this condition can experience organ damage and unbearable pain.
5. Polycythemia
Polycythemia is a type of blood disorder caused by blood disorders. Blood becomes too thick because the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. This condition can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
In addition to interfering with red blood cells, there are several types of blood disorders that affect white blood cells, including:
1. Leukemia
Leukemia is a form of blood cancer, in which white blood cells become malignant and are produced in excess in the bone marrow. Unfortunately, the exact cause of this condition is not known.
2. Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that occurs when white blood cells become malignant. White blood cells will be produced multiply and release abnormal proteins that can damage organs.
3. Syndrome Mielodysplasia
Myelodysplasia syndrome is a blood disorder that affects the bone marrow. This condition occurs when the bone marrow cannot produce healthy blood cells.
4. Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in the lymph system. The white blood cells in people with lymphoma become malignant, spread abnormally, and multiply uncontrollably.
Not only affects red blood cells and white blood cells. Blood disorders can also occur in platelets. Below are the types of blood disorders in platelets and the blood clotting process:
1. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder that lowers the number of platelets or platelets. Patients will bruise easily or may experience excessive bleeding due to the low number of platelets in their body. It is not known exactly what triggers the emergence of this autoimmune disorder.
2. von Willebrand's disease
Von Willebrand disease is a blood clotting disorder caused by a lack of a protein called von Willebrand which is needed in the blood clotting process. If the amount of protein is low, the platelets that are in charge of stopping bleeding cannot work properly and cause prolonged bleeding.
3. Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a blood clotting disorder caused by an inherited genetic disorder. This condition results in low amounts of proteins known as blood clotting factors. The bleeding can occur suddenly inside or outside the body.
4. Essential tthrombocythemia
Essential thrombocythemia occurs when there are too many platelets produced by the bone marrow. As a result, blood clots in the body increase to clot. This condition can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
5. Syndrome aantiphospholipid
Antiphospholipid syndrome is a disorder of the immune system that can increase the risk of blood clots. In this condition, the immune system produces abnormal antibodies called antiphospholipid antibodies. These antibodies attack the protein in the fat and cause the blood to clot more easily.
Diagnosis of Blood Disorders
The doctor will start the diagnosis of blood disorders by asking the symptoms that appear and checking the patient's and family's medical history. Then, the diagnosis will be followed by a physical examination which includes:
- Examination of the skin and mucous membranes for bruising, red or purple spots, rash, and pale skin color.
- Examination of the neck, armpits, and groin for swollen lymph nodes.
- Check the joint if it looks swollen.
- Examination of the abdomen to see any enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- Digital rectal examination to check for blood in the stool.
If necessary, the doctor will also perform further examinations to support the diagnosis. These follow-up examinations include:
- blood testA complete blood count or a complete hematology test will be done to see the amount of each part of the blood. This test can be done quickly using a machine. To support the results, a manual count examination with a microscope can also be performed.
- Bone marrow aspirationBone marrow aspiration is done to see the condition of the bone marrow or 'blood factory'. This examination is done by taking blood and a small portion of bone marrow tissue for examination in the laboratory.
Because it consists of different types, treatment efforts, prevention, and complications of blood disorders are very diverse. Therefore, the treatment of this disease will be adjusted to the underlying cause. With early diagnosis and treatment, complications and recurrence of blood disorders can be avoided.