There are several disorders that can affect the blood. Anaemia is probably the best-known and is certainly the most common. Click on the disorders below to find out more.

Anaemia

The bone marrow has to work hard to continually replenish the body’s red blood cells, requiring two of the B group vitamins – folic acid and vitamin B12 – to do so. There also needs to be a steady supply of iron in order for the red blood cells (RBCs) to contain the right amount of haemoglobin. If any of these nutrients are lacking, or RBCs are lost (for example, during childbirth or a car accident) or destroyed faster than they can be replaced, anaemia results. This means that not enough oxygen reaches the tissues, causing problems such as pale skin, breathlessness and tiredness.

Thalassaemia

This is a genetic condition that can give rise to anaemia. Individuals with the disease have lower levels of haemoglobin, which means that their red blood cells don’t carry enough oxygen around the body.

Haemophilia

This is another well known but rare condition. Individuals who have the disease – mostly males who have inherited it – don’t have as many clotting factors as they need, which means they bleed for longer than would normally be the case. This isn’t just when they injure themselves, but can also be from the gums when brushing teeth, nosebleeds that take a very long time to stop, and so on. They are also more likely to experience bruising – a bruise is bleeding just under the skin, after all – and pain around joints because of internal bleeding. There is also a risk of bleeding inside the skull, which can be fatal.

Extend your learning

Further your knowledge about the blood and associated conditions:

• Anticoagulation
• Atrial fibrilation. 

Make sure to click NEXT to answer the multiple choice questions and log your learning first.