Blood All About

Picture of Blood
Blood is a constantly circulating fluid providing the body with nutrition, oxygen,
and waste removal. Blood is mostly liquid, with numerous cells and proteins
suspended in it, making blood "thicker" than pure water. The average person
has about 5 liters (more than a gallon) of blood.
blood cells:
• Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues

• White blood cells, which fight infections
• Platelets, smaller cells that help blood to clot
Blood is conducted through blood vessels (arteries and veins). Blood is

prevented from clotting in the blood vessels by their smoothness, and the finely
tuned balance of clotting factors.
Blood Conditions
 Hemorrhage (bleeding): Blood leaking out of blood vessels may be obvious,

as from a wound penetrating the skin. Internal bleeding (such as into the
intestines, or after a car accident) may not be immediately apparent.
 Hematoma: A collection of blood inside the body tissues. Internal bleeding
often causes a hematoma.
 Leukemia: A form of blood cancer, in which white blood cells multiply
abnormally and circulate through the blood. The abnormal white blood
cells make getting sick from infections easier than normal.
 Multiple myeloma: A form of blood cancer of plasma cells similar to
leukemia. Anemia, kidney failure and high blood calcium levels are
common in multiple myeloma.
 Lymphoma: A form of blood cancer, in which white blood cells multiply
abnormally inside lymph nodes and other tissues. The enlarging tissues,
and disruption of blood's functions, can eventually cause organ failure.
 Anemia: An abnormally low number of red blood cells in the blood. Fatigue
and breathlessness can result, although anemia often causes no
noticeable symptoms.
 Hemolytic anemia: Anemia caused by rapid bursting of large numbers of red
blood cells (hemolysis). An immune system malfunction is one cause.
 Hemochromatosis: A disorder causing excessive levels of iron in the blood.
The iron deposits in the liver, pancreas and other organs, causing liver
problems and diabetes.
 Sickle cell disease: A genetic condition in which red blood cells periodically
lose their proper shape (appearing like sickles, rather than discs). The
deformed blood cells deposit in tissues, causing pain and organ damage.
 Bacteremia: Bacterial infection of the blood. Blood infections are serious,
and often require hospitalization and continuous antibiotic infusion into
the veins.
 Malaria: Infection of red blood cells by Plasmodium, a parasite transmitted
by mosquitos. Malaria causes episodic fevers, chills, and potentially organ
damage.
 Thrombocytopenia: Abnormally low numbers of platelets in the blood.
Severe thrombocytopenia may lead to bleeding.
 Leukopenia: Abnormally low numbers of white blood cells in the blood.
Leukopenia can result in difficulty fighting infections.
 Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): An uncontrolled process of
simultaneous bleeding and clotting in very small blood vessels. DIC
usually results from severe infections or cancer.
 Hemophilia: An inherited (genetic) deficiency of certain blood clotting
proteins. Frequent or uncontrolled bleeding can result from hemophilia.
 Hypercoaguable state: Numerous conditions can result in the blood being
prone to clotting. A heart attack, stroke, or blood clots in the legs or lungs
can result.
 Polycythemia: Abnormally high numbers of red blood cells in the blood.
Polycythemia can result from low blood oxygen levels, or may occur as a
cancer-like condition.
 Deep venous thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the
leg. DVTs are dangerous because they may become dislodged and travel to
the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE).
 Myocardial infarction (MI): Commonly called a heart attack, a myocardial
infarction occurs when a sudden blood clot develops in one of the
coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
Blood Tests
 Complete blood count: An analysis of the concentration of red blood cells,

white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. Automated cell counters
perform this test.
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/complete-blood-count-cbc
 Blood smear: Drops of blood are smeared across a microscope slide, to be
examined by an expert in a lab. Leukemia, anemia, malaria, and
numerous other blood conditions can be identified with a blood smear.
 Blood type: A test for compatibility before receiving a blood transfusion.
The major blood types (A, B, AB, and O) are determined by the protein
markers (antigens) present on the surface of red blood cells.
 Coombs test: A blood test looking for antibodies that could bind to and
destroy red blood cells. Pregnant women and people with anemia may
undergo Coombs testing.
 Blood culture: A blood test looking for infection present in the bloodstream.
If bacteria or other organisms are present, they may multiply in the tested
blood, allowing their identification.
 Mixing study: A blood test to identify the reason for blood being "too thin"
(abnormally resistant to clotting). The patient's blood is mixed in a tube
with normal blood, and the mixed blood's properties may provide a
diagnosis.
 Bone marrow biopsy: A thick needle is inserted into a large bone (usually in
the hip), and bone marrow is drawn out for tests. Bone marrow biopsy can
identify blood conditions that simple blood tests cannot.
Blood Treatments
 Chemotherapy: Medicines that kill cancer cells. Leukemias and lymphomas

are usually treated with chemotherapy.
 Blood transfusion: A blood donor's red blood cells are separated from their
plasma and packed into a small bag. Transfusing the concentrated red
blood cells into a recipient replaces blood loss.
 Platelet transfusion: A blood donor's platelets are separated from the rest of
blood and concentrated into a plastic bag. Platelet transfusion is generally
only performed when platelet counts fall to very low levels.
 Fresh frozen plasma: A blood donor's plasma (liquid blood) is separated
from the blood cells, and frozen for storage. Plasma transfusion can
improve blood clotting and prevent or stop bleeding that's due to clotting
problems.
 Cryoprecipitate: Specific proteins are separated from blood and frozen in a
small volume of liquid. Cryoprecipitate transfusion can replace specific
blood clotting proteins when their levels are low, such as in people with
hemophilia.
 Anticoagulation: Medicines to "thin" the blood and prevent clotting in
people at high risk from blood clots. Heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox) and
warfarin (Coumadin) are the medicines most often used.
 Antiplatelet drugs: Aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) interfere with platelet
function and help prevent blood clots, including those that cause heart
attacks and strokes.
 Antibiotics: Medicines to kill bacteria and parasites can treat blood
infections caused by these organisms.
 Erythropoietin: A hormone produced by the kidney that stimulates red
blood cell production. A manufactured form of erythropoietin can be
given to improve the symptoms of anemia.
 Bloodletting: In people with problems caused by too much blood (such as
from hemochromatosis or polycythemia), occasional controlled removal
of blood may be necessary.

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Picture of Blood

• Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues

Blood is conducted through blood vessels (arteries and veins). Blood is

 Hemorrhage (bleeding): Blood leaking out of blood vessels may be obvious,

 Complete blood count: An analysis of the concentration of red blood cells,

 Chemotherapy: Medicines that kill cancer cells. Leukemias and lymphomas

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