Blood disorders are physical conditions that prevent the normal function of blood in the body. A disorder may involve factors that interfere with the production of the individual components found in the blood, such as hemoglobin or blood proteins. The nature of a blood disorder may also include situations where the blood does not coagulate properly, or the blood cells themselves are malformed or infected.
There is a wide range of blood diseases known today. Anemia is one of the more common examples of a blood disorder. Sometimes referred to as tired blood, a person who is anemic is likely to have a lack of proteins and other elements in the blood. As a result, the blood cannot carry the needed nutrients to various parts of the body and the individual is likely to feel fatigued more often. Over time, anemia can also have a negative impact on the emotions, as the blood is unable to supply proper nutrition to the brain for the production of chemicals that help to maintain an even mood.
Sickle cell anemia is one of the more serious types of anemic blood disorder. In addition to fatigue, a person suffering with this disorder is also likely to experience a great deal of pain. The pain may be localized in one part of the body or migrate to different areas throughout the course of the day.
Hemophilia is another relatively common blood disorder. Hemophiliacs suffer with a condition in which the blood lacks the normal ability to coagulate. This means that a minor cut or scratch that would be of little consequence to most people can be a serious issue for a hemophiliac or free bleeder. Special precautions must be taken to avoid cuts, since the blood loss can be quick and significant.
A blood disorder can also mean the presence of some sort of disease in the bloodstream. The presence of the disease in the blood means that it is possible to infect a number of vital organs if the condition is not caught and corrected in time. Bloodborne cancer, especially in the form of lymphoma or leukemia, are two prime examples.
Fortunately, many blood disorder problems can be treated successfully, if caught in the early stages. Some conditions, however, cannot be reversed. When that is the case, medical professionals may choose to administer medication on an ongoing basis to contain the blood disorder, or make use of transfusions as a means of weakening the disease to the point it can be contained.
