Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a blood disorder. If someone has an ITP blood disorder then they have a low platelet count in their blood, and the reason for it is unknown.

A low platelet count can be a bad thing. It can result in bruising and hemorrhaging. Bleeding can occur all over the body. You can bleed from the gums, the nose, and other places. Internal bleeding is possible as well.

The ITP blood disorder can be fatal, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if a patient even has it. A slight case of the ITP blood disorder will not make a person’s life too uncomfortable. In fact, they might go through their whole life without even knowing they had an ITP blood disorder. Other cases are very noticeable.

A case of ITP might need to be treated. This will depend on how bad of a case it is. If a person’s platelet count is high enough then they will not need treatment. If their platelet count is low enough to warrant treatment then they will go through one of the ITP treatment options.

Even though ITP is a mysterious blood disorder, there are treatments for it. One of the treatments is using steroids. Steroids help with the platelet problem. There are dangers in using steroids, but patients usually wish to risk those dangers rather than die. Still, many people with ITP never even have to make this choice.

Because ITP is a blood disorder it takes place inside of the human body. Blood is used to transfer oxygen throughout the body. The body needs blood. If platelet levels are low then the blood has trouble working correctly. If the blood can’t work correctly then the human body can’t work correctly.

Still, many people with even serious cases of ITP are able to live ordinary lives. While there are risks involved with their day to day activities, they choose to take those risks rather than seclude themselves from the outside world. Sometimes they are thought highly of for their bravery. Most of the time people don’t even know they have ITP.

An ITP blood disorder is a mysterious thing. Because it can’t be decided what is causing it, some people think there is no hope in treating it. This is not true. As we’ve discussed, there are options for treating ITP. People who have this blood disorder need to realize that there are treatments. If they have a serious case they should meet with a doctor and talk about treatments. Just because it is a mysterious disorder doesn’t mean that science is incapable of helping.

Hopefully now you know a little more about ITP. It’s a mysterious disorder that can be treated. If you think you have ITP you should meet with a doctor to be tested. Even if it is not ITP you may have another blood disorder that could be dangerous. Blood disorders are no joking matter. ITP is just one example of how blood disorders can change your life.

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Who is at risk for developing hemophilia?

The blood disorder, hemophilia is an inherited disorder affecting mainly males. The disorder is not contagious, so you can’t get it by being around someone who has it.

A daughter can carry the hemophilia gene if the father has hemophilia but the mother does not but any brothers will not have hemophilia. Those with a family history of hemophilia are at risk for genetically being disposed for the disease too, depending on whether or not one or both of the biological parents have the hemophilia gene.

The signs that hemophilia may be present are when the individual presents with large bruises, bleeds into joints or muscles, especially the ankles, elbows, or knees, have sudden bleeding internally without suffering trauma to explain the bleeding, and when they do suffer a cut, tooth removal or surgery, or have a traumatic event they have prolonged bleeding.

Believe it not, there are effective treatments for hemophilia, but there is no cure yet. One treatment is to replace the missing clotting factor by injecting a product that contains the factor. When enough clotting factor reaches the affected area, the bleeding will stop.

Those with hemophilia can lead normal lives as long as they receive proper treatment. Children with severe cases of hemophilia and do not receive proper treatment usually die young. Approximately only 25% of the approximately 400,000 individuals worldwide with hemophilia receive adequate treatment.

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What is clotting? The medical term for blood clotting is called “hemostasis”. Hemostasis is the way the body reacts when it is injured. Or, to put it in another way, if you are injured, hemostasis will stop the blood vessels from bleeding. The blood will clot and the bleeding will stop. In a normal healthy person, this function is quite simple and will help the body heal faster. However, clotting disorders are quite common. A body can either clot too much or not enough. Abnormal clotting can cause lots of medical problems.

Blood Clotting Problems: It is critical that you have good clotting function in your body. When clotting in the blood vessels is poor, then your blood vessels can become clogged. Imagine a small piece of ice getting stuck in a straw. The straw is the blood vessel and the ice is your blood clot. Clogged vessels in any part of your body can led to strokes, heart attacks and vein problems associated with the veins in your legs, abdomen and other parts of the body. These clots can dislodge and travel to the heart, lungs or brain and may cause immediate death. There are many people that survive strokes, but many times, these people have impaired vision, brain function and body movement. If you see your doctor on a regular basis, or have a history of blood clotting disorders, a doctor may prescribe a blood thinner to help reduce the clotting, thus reducing your chance of developing deadly blood clots in your body.

Lack of Clotting: Besides having the problem of clotting too much, you can also suffer from thin blood, or lack of clotting. This is another problem that many people deal with and needs to be supervised by a health care professional. Those that do not have enough clotting can lead to excessive bleeding. There are numerous factors that can cause thinned blood. Taking certain medications can cause your blood to thin. Anemia can also cause excessive bleeding, as can hemophilia. Symptoms of excessive bleeding caused by these bleeding disorders include bruising easily, headaches, dizziness and a pale complexion. These disorders can be caused by problems associated with problems with the blood vessels or the blood itself.

Risks of untreated blood disorders due to clotting may include vision loss from bleeding into the eyes, chronic nose bleeds, psychiatric problems such as depression, scarring of the joints and various forms of joint diseases, and even death. It is critical that any problems associated with blood clotting undergo medical treatment. Some people may inherit blood disorders while others may develop blood disorders caused by prolonged use of certain prescriptions and drugs.

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Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome is typically diagnosed within the first year of life and what usually tips the doctor off that there may be something wrong is short stature and on x-rays problems with the bones known as metaphyseal dysostosis is seen. Both male and female babies can be diagnosed with this syndrome and they are usually diagnosed within the first 12 months of life. Babies with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome have malabsorption, which is poor food absorption.

A condition known as aplastic anemia is diagnosed when all three blood cell types as described above happens as a result of bone marrow failure. There are other bone marrow failure syndromes and blood conditions and some are rare. Shwachman-Diamon syndrome is specific in that there is also a reduction in the digestive enzyme production by the pancreas, a low serum trypsinogen and isoamylase (which are digestive enzymes), low pancreatic enzymes after being stimulated by the pancreas and also the pancreas is small or fatty as seen on CT scan imaging or by ultrasound images. The bone marrow failure is discovered through low neutrophils in at least 3 separate blood testing and also low hemoglobin or platelet counts during blood testing.

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome is an autosomal recessive inherited disease in which a person has two abnormal or mutant copies of the SDS gene. Laboratory tests cannot identify this genetic mutation in some individuals with the syndrome. The mutant gene is called SBDS or Shwachman Bodian Diamond Syndrome.

As with most blood disorders that involve the bone marrow there is the possibility of developing cancer and with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome the cancer that is leukemia. Leukemia is a blood and bone marrow cancer.

Doctors use different tests to help them diagnose Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome including a low serum trypsinogen and isoamylase test and a test that will determin the amout of fat in the stool as well as a CT scan and ultrasound that will distinguish the pancreas to see if it is small or has fatty deposits. Blood tests can determine if the while blood cell or red blood cell counts are low and what the platelet count is to see if that is normal or not. Genetic testing may be done to help isolate the SDS gene to see if it is mutated. A mutated gene that has the SBDS mutated gene stands for the Shwachman Bodian Diamond Syndrome.

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The disorder is rarely seen in individuals younger than 20 and is more prevalent in males over 60.

The disorder’s main characteristic is a slower than normal flow of blood because of too many blood cells and so the symptoms of the disorder correspond with the slowed blood flow and include organs not getting enough oxygen, angina, congestive heart failure, and gout. With the lack of oxygen organs such as arms, legs, lungs and eyes cannot perform as they would normally do which can lead to other symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, itching, vision problems such as blurred vision or double vision and stomach ulcers or kidney stones.

Individuals with PV can develop myelogenous leukemia (AML). PV is a serious disorder that can lead to death if treatment is not followed. There is no current cure for PV. Treatment can decrease the risk for blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.

Those with PV may experience headaches, dizziness, general weakness, and shortness of breath with difficult breathing when lying down. They may feel a pressure or fullness in the abdomen on the left side if they have an enlarged spleen. They may experience blurred or double vision, blind spots, and when they take a warm bath they may feel itchy all over. They may notice that their face becomes easily reddened, and they may feel a burning sensation in the skin of their hands and feet. Their gums may bleed easily and if they get a cut or wound there may be more bleeding than normal. Those with PV may also on rare occasions feel pain in their bones.

A routine blood test may show higher than normal levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit. The doctor may do a physical examination, check your medical history, and look for signs of an enlarged spleen, reddened skin on the face, bleeding gums and ask you about other symptoms you may have noticed. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist called a hematologist. A hematologist is a specialist in the diagnosing and treatment of those with blood disorders.

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Cytopenia is a deficiency of the cellular element of the blood. There are many forms of cytopenia including anemia which is low red blood cells, leukopenia or neutropenia which is low white blood cell count and thrombocytopenia which is low platelet count, granulocytopenia which is low granulocyte count, and pancytopenia which is a low red blood cell count, low white blood cell count and low platelet counts.

Acidemia is a blood disorder that is characterized by an increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood. There is an abnormal acidity of the blood. Acidemia relates to the state of low blood pH.

Blood dyscrasia is any abnormal condition of the blood and can involve diseases of the blood-forming organs such as the bone marrow, spleen and liver. It is a pathological condition involving disorders on the cellular level within the blood. The patient experiences bleeding due to poor platelet formation or a decrease in amount of platelets, and also frequent infections.

Bleeding disorders involve problems with the clotting mechanisms of the blood. Clotting protects against excessive bleeding that may follow surgery, injury or trauma. Many blood-clotting factors (proteins) are involved in the complex process of blood coagulation. Bleeding problems can be mild or they can be severe. These factors, platelets and other substances must work together well in order for bleeding to stop. Fibrin, is a material that is formed when a clot is needed. Clotting blood disorders occur when there are defects in the coagulation system as a result of deficiencies in clotting factors, missing clotting factors, or a change in the platelet functionality. Defects in platelets can lead to bleeding after injury.

Other issues with blood disorders include blockage of vessels, blockage of lung arteries, blockage of renal vein, blood clots in the brain or legs, blood clots in the lungs.

Hypovolaemia is a blood disorder consisting of a decrease in circulating blood volume.

Leucocytosis is an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells (WBCs) as a result of an infection.

Microcytosis is another blood disorder in which there is a presence of microcytes which are abnormally small red blood cells which can be associated with anemia.

As you can see there are lots of blood disorders and diseases. The above list is just barely scratching the surface. You can find more blood disorders and diseases in books, and Websites online. The more we understand about blood disorders and diseases the better we connect to the flow of blood that courses through our veins serving a very important role in all of our lives.

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When an individual has aplastic anemia the body is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood that it needs to all the organs of the body. Red blood cells also have the function of removing carbon dioxide from the cells. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that is taken from the blood and carried to the lungs where it is then exhaled out of the body. Individuals with aplastic anemia feel tired all the time, have a heart that has to work harder to pump the blood to all the body’s organs and tissues and this causes a stress over time and can then cause the heart to beat irregularly or too fast; which may result in an enlarged heart, or may cause heart failure. If the body has too few white blood cells, the body is unable to fight off infection properly and the individual will contract illnesses and infections. The platelets are needed to form blood clots that help stop bleeding within the blood vessels. Without properly formed blood clots the individual can bleed to death.

Thankfully aplastic anemia is a rare blood disorder. Approximately only 500 to 1,000 individuals in the U.S. develop aplastic anemia each year. In the Asian countries this number doubles or triples.

There are two types of aplastic anemia: acquired and hereditary. Aplastic anemia can be acquired or triggered by toxic chemicals, chemotherapy medications, radiation, or viral infections. The direct cause of aplastic anemia is still not known.

An individual can develop aplastic anemia slowly or it can develop suddenly. It often gets worse over time. You can get mild, moderate or severe aplastic anemia. A doctor treating the individual for aplastic anemia will check the blood count frequently and adjust treatment accordingly. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, and medications to suppress the immune system, stimulate the production of stem cells, and to treat infections.

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There is several blood clotting disorders including thrombotic disorders, and bleeding disorders. Clotting and bleeding disorders of the blood occur when the normal processes are abnormal. Platelet aggregation and coagulation are needed in order for clotting mechanisms to work properly. When there is a shift or abnormality in a single protein on either side of this balance, the blood can shift to either clotting too easily or not clotting at all and having excessive bleeding. When the blood clots too easily we have thrombotic disorders and when it does not clot but bleeds too easily we have bleeding disorders.

Thrombotic disorders are when the blood too easily clots even when clotting is not required. Genetic defects can cause such disorders including deficiency in antithrombin, protein C, and protein S. These deficiencies can lead to easy clotting because these proteins are not present when inactive clotting factors are present. Two gene mutations can create teh hypercoagulable scenario. One such mutation is the Factor V Leiden in which it is hard for factor V to be broken down, resulting in clots being easily formed because the factor V stays in the blood too long. A mutation in prothrombin is called “prothrombin 20210″ and creates an higher than normal level of the clot-forming prothrombin.

The ability to clot easily can also happen because of environmental situations because of deficiencies in folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin B6.

Treatment includes the use of blood-thinning medications like heparin and warfarin.

Bleeding disorders are the result of deficiencies of clotting factors, which lead to the tendency to bleed excessively. Hemophilia A which is a deficiency in factor VIII is an example, so is hemophilia B, a deficiency in factor IX. Clotting deficiencies can also be acquired such as having too much of the drug warfarin in your system which can result in critical loss of blood.

Individuals with low platelet counts can also have bleeding issues.

Those with bleeding disorders can have the bleeding occur in different locations within the body such as joints, blood vessels, tissues and muscles. The treatment depends on the location of the bleeding and the type of deficiency. One treatment is to use transfusion of platelets or to use fresh frozen plasma. Injections of individual clotting factors are also something that can be included in the treatment plan.

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Fatigue or Feeling Tired: This is a common symptom of blood disorders, especially anemia. That is because your blood carries protein and when you are suffering with blood disorders, then you feel tired much of the time. As with anemia and other blood disorders, if you have a reduction of red blood cells, then you will have fatigue. One way to help with this symptom is to take iron supplements on a regular basis. While it will not cure all problems associated with blood disorders, it will help with mild cases of anemia.

Bruising: There are also several types of blood disorders that cause a patient to bruise easily. This symptom is most commonly associated with clotting disorders, or people who do not clot fast enough. A person with hemophilia often has this problem. Their blood lacks a certain type of factor that allows the blood to clot and stop the bleeding when injured. If the factor is not sufficient in their body, then even a small bump or injury can cause large bruises. If you have clotting disorders with your blood, then you will most certainly notice that you are bruising much easier that most people.

Problems with blood clots: People who have problems with blood clots essentially have blood that clots too fast. This can cause major problems and sometimes even immediate death. You have heard of people dying of strokes or have blood clots that travel from to their heart or lungs. This is because their blood has formed clots in the veins. At some point, the clots become dislodged and travels to a vital organ. If you have a history of blood disorders or blood clotting, then your doctor can often give you medication to help thin your blood. This will help reduce your chances of forming deadly blood clots in your body.

Joint pain and swelling: Another common symptom among those with blood disorders are joint pain and swelling. This is also associated with hemophilia and other blood disorders. This can be due to pain in the joints from bumps and falls. If you are having joint pain and have a history of blood disorders, then you should see your doctor.

As you can see, this list only scratches the surface of symptoms associated with blood disorders. Each blood disorder may have its own unique set of symptoms. If you are not feeling well and find that you have two more of these symptoms, then it may be time to see your health care provider.

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This lack of normal blood cells causes the symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath because of a lack of normal red blood cells (RBCs), and frequent infections due to a lack of normal white blood cells (WBCs). The lack of normal platelet cells will lead to excessive bleeding and bruising.

Like most blood disorders, individuals can have a mild, moderate or severe case of myelodysplastic syndrome.

A person may seek a diagnosis after experiencing symptoms especially if those symptoms affect the quality of life. Fatigue and shortness of breath and frequent infections can have an impact on your ability to function at work or at home.

The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome is usually arrived at by performing a complete blood count and also a blood smear, a laboratory test to examine the types of blood cells in the sample and the number of cells.

The blood sample should show a cross section of all the blood cells including white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. If it is desired to look at the chromosomes a special test called cytogenetics is conducted.

You can classify myelodysplastic syndrome in two ways, the FAB (French American British) system and the World Health Organization (WHO) which has developed two main subgroups called chronic and nonprogressive anemia, and progressive and symptomatic blood cell deficiencies.

If after conducting tests the individual is discovered to have 20% or more of bone marrow is made up of leukemic blast cells, the individual has acute myelogenous leukemia, which is a blood cancer.

Treatment options are many and will depend on the symptoms, the severity of the disease and the presense of other medical conditions.

The patient must be stable before treatment can begin. If the patient is suffering from anemia, blood transfusions may be necessary. Drugs can be given to stimulate blood cell development. Common drugs used are epogen or procrit. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) can also be given along with erythropoietin. Other medications that are sometimes given to treat MDS include Dacogen, Vidaza, and Revlimid. Chemotherapy may be necessary if severe myelodysplastic develops.

If someone has severe myelodysplastic syndrome, a stem cell transplant may be considered. This stem cell transplant will put in healthy bone marrow cells that can then produce more normal blood cells within the marrow. Stem cell transplant is not without risks and must be carefully considered risks against benefits. Your doctor can explain these risks and benefits when discussing your treatment plan.

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