Blood & Lymphatic System

Blood is one of the most important tissues in our body. It consists of red blood cells (carrying gases and giving it the red color), white blood cells (leukocytes that fight disease) and platelets (clotting agents), which are all suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood has many functions: carrying of oxygen to tissues, supplying nutrients to cells, waste removal, immunological functions, coagulation, messenger functions, pH regulation, body temperature regulation, and hydraulic functions. Problems with the composition or circulation of the blood can lead to tissue dysfunction and death, as well as a host of other problems in every cell and tissue throughout the body. The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymph nodes, ducts, and vessels that produce and transport lymph fluid from the tissues to the circulatory system. It has three major functions: removal of excess tissue fluid, absorption and transport of fat to the circulatory system, and production of immune cells. Lymph originates as blood plasma from the capillaries and becomes the fluid that fills the spaces between cells and tissues. The thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, appendix and bone marrow are part of the system and their proper function depends on the lymphatic system.

Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells. This condition also can occur if your red blood cells don’t contain enough hemoglobin. This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. There are many different types of anemia, each with unique causes and symptoms. Hemolytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia and pernicious anemia are examples of various types. Some potential causes are blood loss, nutritional deficiencies, diseases, reactions to medication and various problems with the bone marrow. Women with heavy menstrual periods typically experience iron deficiency anemia and other risk factors include pregnancy, older age and diseases that cause anemia.

Blood Substitutes

Blood substitutes, often called artificial blood, are used to fill fluid volume and/or carry oxygen and other blood gases in the cardiovascular system. Although commonly used, the term is not accurate since human blood performs many important functions. Red blood cells transport oxygen, white blood cells defend against disease, platelets promote clotting, and plasma proteins perform various functions. The preferred and more accurate terms are volume expanders for inert products, and oxygen therapeutics for oxygen-carrying products.

Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is a disruption of the amount of lipids (fats) in the blood due to a disorder of lipoprotein metabolism. In western societies, this is usually due to an increased concentration of lipids and hyperlypidemia due to diet and lifestyle. Dyslipidemias are detected by elevated levels of cholesterols and lipoproteins in the blood. Diabetes is often associated with this disease.

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a bleeding illness in which it takes a long time for blood to clot and abnormal bleeding occurs. Hemophilia A is due to a deficiency in the blood clotting factor VIII. Symptoms include excessive bleeding and are usually diagnosed during infant circumcision. Hemophilia B is a hereditary blood coagulation disorder caused by a deficiency of the blood plasma protein called factor IX that affects the clotting property of blood. Males are generally affected by this disorder. About 18,000 people in the United States have hemophilia. Each year, about 400 babies are born with the disorder. Hemophilia usually occurs only in males (with very rare exceptions).

Hemorrhage

A hemorrhage is bleeding or the abnormal flow of blood. The patient may have an internal hemorrhage that is invisible or an external hemorrhage that is visible on the outside of the body. Bleeding into the spleen or liver is internal hemorrhage. Bleeding from a cut on the body is an external hemorrhage. Stopping a hemorrhage is key to surgery and injuries.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy is brain and nervous system damage that occurs as a complication of liver disorders. It causes different nervous system symptoms including changes in reflexes, changes in consciousness, and behavior changes that can range from mild to severe.

Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia refers to the condition in which the concentration of potassium in the blood is low. Mild hypokalemia is often without symptoms, although it may cause a small elevation of blood pressure and can occasionally provoke cardiac arrhythmias. Moderate hypokalemia may cause muscular weakness, myalgia, muscle cramps (owing to disturbed function of the skeletal muscles) and constipation (from disturbed function of smooth muscles). With more severe hypokalemia, flaccid paralysis, hyporeflexia and tetany may result.

Hypovolemia

Hypovolemia is a condition in which there is a significant decrease in the volume of blood plasma in the body. This can be caused by dehydration, bleeding, severe burns and drugs such as diuretics or others used to treat hypertensive individuals. Sometimes, this occurs due to blood donation. The low volume of blood can lead to multiple organ failure, damage of the kidneys or brain and eventually, death.

Kidney Disease

The kidneys perform a very important life-sustaining role. They cleanse the blood by removing waste and excess fluids, maintain a healthful balance of various body chemicals and help regulate blood pressure. When the kidneys become diseased or damaged, they can suddenly or gradually lose their ability to perform these vital functions. Waste products and excess fluid then build up inside the body, causing a variety of symptoms, particularly swelling of the hands and feet, shortness of breath and a frequent urge to urinate. If left untreated, diseased kidneys may eventually stop functioning. Loss of kidney function is a very serious and potentially fatal condition. An estimated 7.69 percent of adults aged 20 or older (15.5 million adults) have physiological evidence of chronic kidney disease.

Liver Failure

Liver failure occurs when large parts of the liver become damaged beyond repair and the liver is no longer able to function. Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent medical care. Most often liver failure occurs gradually and over many years. However, a more rare condition known as acute liver failure occurs rapidly (in as little as 48 hours) and can be difficult to detect initially.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of disorders characterized by one or more peripheral blood cytopenias secondary to bone marrow dysfunction. The syndromes may arise de novo, or secondarily after treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for other diseases. Secondary myelodysplasia usually has a poorer prognosis than does de novo myelodysplasia. Symptoms include anemia, neutropenia (low white blood cell count) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

Neutropenia

Neutropenia is a hematological disorder characterized by an abnormally low number of neutrophil granulocytes (a type of white blood cell) and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria in the blood. Patients with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections and without prompt medical attention, the condition may become life-threatening. Neutropenia can be acute or chronic depending on the duration of the illness

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, resulting in the potential for increased bleeding and decreased ability for clotting.