Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease

What Is Coronary Artery Disease?

Heart disease is a result of plaque buildup in your coronary arteries -- a condition called atherosclerosis -- that leads to blockages. The arteries, which start out smooth and elastic, become narrow and rigid, restricting blood flow to the heart. The heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to pump properly.

How Does Coronary Artery Disease Develop?

From a young age, cholesterol-laden plaque can start to deposit in the blood vessel walls. As you get older, the plaque burden builds up, inflaming the blood vessel walls and raising the risk of blood clots and heart attack. The plaques release chemicals that promote the process of healing but make the inner walls of the blood vessel sticky. Then, other substances, such as inflammatory cells, lipoproteins, and calcium that travel in your bloodstream start sticking to the inside of the vessel walls. 

Eventually, a narrowed coronary artery may develop new blood vessels that go around the blockage to get blood to the heart. However, during times of increased exertion or stress, the new arteries may not be able to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

In some cases, a blood clot may totally block the blood supply to the heart muscle, causing heart attack. If a blood vessel to the brain is blocked, usually from a blood clot, an ischemic stroke can result. If a blood vessel within the brain bursts, most likely as a result of uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), a hemorrhagic stroke can result.

  

What Is Ischemia?

Cardiac ischemia occurs when plaque and fatty matter narrow the inside of an artery to a point where it cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to meet your heart's needs. Heart attack can occur - with or without chest pain and other symptoms.

Ischemia is most commonly experienced during:

·         Exercise or exertion

·         Eating

·         Excitement or stress

·         Exposure to cold

Coronary artery disease can progress to a point where ischemia occurs even at rest. And ichemia can occur without any warning signs in anyone with heart disease, although it is more common in people with diabetes.

What Are the Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?

The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness, squeezing or painful feeling. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina is usually felt in the chest, but may also be felt in the left shoulder, arms, neck, back, or jaw.

Other symptoms that can occur with coronary artery disease include:

·         Shortness of breath

·         Palpitations (irregular heart beats, skipped beats, or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest)

·         A faster heartbeat

·         Weakness or dizziness

·         Nausea

·         Sweating

How Is Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosed?

Your doctor can tell if you have coronary artery disease by:

·         Talking to you about your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors.

·         Performing a physical exam.

·         Performing diagnostic tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG),exercise stress tests, electron beam (ultrafast) CT scans, cardiac catheterization, and others. These tests help your doctor evaluate the extent of your coronary heart disease, its effect on the function of your heart and the best form of treatment for you.

How Is Coronary Artery Disease Treated?

Treatment for coronary artery disease involves making lifestyle changes, taking medications, possibly undergoing invasive and/or surgical procedures, and seeing your cardiologist for regular checkups.

·         Reduce your risk factors. If you smoke, quit. Avoid high-cholesterol foods and adopt a low-fat, low-salt diet. Keep your blood sugar in control if you have diabetes. Exercise more to maintain a healthy weight (but talk to your doctor before you starting an exercise program).

·         Medications. If making lifestyle changes isn't enough to control your heart disease, medications may be needed to help your heart work more efficiently and receive more oxygen-rich blood. The drugs you are on depend on you and your specific heart problem.

·         Surgery and other procedures. Common procedures to treat coronary artery disease include balloon angioplasty (PTCA), stent placement, and coronary artery bypass surgery. All of these procedures increase blood supply to your heart, but they do not cure coronary heart disease. You will still need to decrease your risk factors to prevent future disease.

Doctors are also studying several innovative ways to treat heart disease. Here are a couple of the more promising ones:

·         Angiogenesis. This involves giving substances, such as stem cells and other genetic material, through the vein or directly into damaged heart tissue to trigger the growth of new blood vessels to bypass the clogged ones.

·         EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation). Patients who have chronic angina but are not helped by nitrate medications or who do not qualify for various surgeries and procedures may find relief with EECP. The outpatient procedure involves using treatment cuffs placed on the legs that inflate and deflate, increasing the blood supply that feeds coronary arteries.

Skeletal System Diseases

Skeletal System Diseases

• The adult human skeletal system comprises 206 bones and the associated cartilage, tendons, ligaments as well as teeth.
• The bones are connected to each other through ligaments and to muscles through tendons.
•  The skeletal system forms a supportive framework for the human body, and provides stable anchoring points for soft tissues.
• The skeletal system not only protects vital organs like brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, etc., but also acts as a reservoir of minerals, like calcium and phosphorous which are supplied to various body parts through blood.
• The process of formation and development of blood cells (hematopoiesis) occurs in the bone marrow of long bones.
• Along with the muscles, our skeletal system forms a leverage system that helps us to move our limbs and perform various activities.
• The tissues of the skeletal system are affected by degenerative wear and tear, infectious agents, genetic anomalies, etc.

• Some of the commonly known diseases, disorders and medical conditions of the skeletal system have been described below.

Congenital and Hereditary

Achondroplasia: It is an autosomal dominant disorder that affects growth and development of long bones. It is characterized by bone deformation, leading to disproportionate shortness of the extremities (legs, arms, fingers and toes) relative to the trunk.

Achondrogenesis: It includes a set of disorders resulting due to growth hormone deficiency, which leads to altered bone and cartilage development. The infants are stillborn or die shortly after birth.

Clubfoot: Also known as talipes equinovarus, it is the most common congenital disorder which affects joints of the feet. In babies born with this disorder, one foot or both the feet point downwards and inwards, making it difficult for them to walk and move around.

Hereditary Multiple Exostoses: Inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, this disorder involves the development of benign (non-cancerous) bone tumors called exostoses. Such tumors cause uneven limb growth and limited joint movements.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Also known as brittle bone disease, this genetic anomaly leads to underproduction of cartilage causing fragile bones, loose joints, and blue sclerae. It is also inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Osteopetrosis: It is a rare inherited disorder wherein bone reabsorption is altered due to dysfunctional osteoclasts. This leads to increased bone density and hardening of bones.

Spina Bifida: It is a neural tube defect in which the skeletal tissues surrounding the spinal cord remain underdeveloped. Under normal conditions, the two sides of each vertebra join together to form a column around the spinal cord. In case of this disorder, such fusion does not take place in certain vertebrae, leaving a slit in the spinal column.

Fibrous Dysplasia: It is a gene mutation, which is not hereditary and occurs during the fetal development in the mother's womb. Fibrous dysplasia is a condition where fibrous tissues start growing in place of normal bones. The fibrous tissues expand during the growth of the bones making them weaker and weaker. If the mutation occurs at the early stage of fetal development it affects more tissues however, if it occurs late a very few get affected. Since mutation occurs before birth it is considered as a genetic disorder but it is not hereditary because the sperm or egg does not pass on the mutation to the fetus.

Hypophosphatemia: The decrease in phosphorous levels in the body results in hypophosphatemia. Conditions like chronic diarrhea, starvation, alcoholism, vitamin D deficiency, etc., can lead to this condition. The person suffering from hypophosphatemia will experience muscle weakness and pain in the bones. Adults suffering from this condition also experience loss of teeth at an early age and the bones become susceptible to fractures. Children with hypophosphatemia have an abnormally shaped head and their limbs are extremely short with enlarged joints.

Cancers

Osteosarcoma: It is a type of bone cancer that involves the growth of cancerous tumors in the fast-growing regions of bones. It mostly occurs during childhood and adolescence, with the average age of diagnosis being 15 years.

Chondrosarcoma: It is a malignant bone cancer that originates in the cartilage. Pelvic bones, shoulder bones, and the upper part of limbs are the most common sites of origin. It is more common in adults.

Ewing's Sarcoma: It is a type of primary bone cancer and may originate in the long bones, pelvic bones or even flat bones of the skull. It is more common in children and generally develops during puberty. The cancer then metastasizes to other body tissues as well.

Others

Arthritis: It is a group of diseases involving inflammation of joints. Autoimmunity, wear and tear of the joints and associated tissues, and infection are the common causes. Depending on the cause and the tissue affected, about 100 different types have been identified. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are some of the common types.

Bursitis: It implies the inflammation of fluid-filled sacs called bursae, which serve as a cushion between the bone, and the tendons and/or muscles present in joints. Shoulders, knees, elbows and hips are the commonly affected joints. Such inflammation can occur due to infections, trauma, or aging.

Osteomyelitis: It is the result of bone infection, either contracted through another infected organ of the body or after surgeries involving metal plates and rods. It is characterized by severe pain and inflammation in the infected bone, fever, chills, nausea, and weakness. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative agent of osteomyelitis.

Osteoporosis: It is one of the most common bone diseases, and is characterized by reduction in bone mineral density. It is the result of an imbalance in the bone formation and bone reabsorption process. The bones become weak and tend to get fractured easily.

Rickets: This disorder involves the softening and weakening of bones due to the deficiency of vitamin D, calcium and phosphate. The symptoms include pain and tenderness of bones, muscle cramps, dental and skeletal deformities, etc.

Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a condition involving excessive or abnormal curvature of the spine. It may be idiopathic (spontaneously arising), congenital or neuromuscular. It is characterized by chronic backache and lower back pain as well as difficulty in bending, twisting or lifting objects.

Kyphosis: This is also a condition of abnormal spine curvature, and is characterized by formation of a hunchback. Infections, connective tissue disorders, degenerative spine diseases, and muscular dystrophy, are some of the causes of kyphosis.

Osteonecrosis: Insufficient blood supply to large joints such as hips, shoulders, elbows and knees leads to death of the bone tissues in that area. This is termed as osteonecrosis. This can occur due to injury, trauma, radiation therapy, fractures, and bone dislocations.

Sprain: A ligament is a tough fibrous tissue that surrounds the bones and holds them together. When this ligament is stretched too far or tears, the joint swells up causing severe pain. As the swelling and pain increases, the injury becomes more and more severe. Knee and ankle sprain are the most commonly occurring conditions.

Scurvy: It is the disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin C or ascorbic acid in the body. This deficiency leads to poor recovery of wounds and the person becomes more susceptible to bruises. It causes gum diseases, weakness and skin hemorrhages. Although an uncommon health condition, scurvy affects older and malnourished adults. The major cause of scurvy is over cooking of the food as it destroys the vitamin C content in the food.

Poliomyelitis: Also called polio, this disease is highly contagious and infectious and is caused by three types of polio viruses. It affects the nervous system resulting into partial or total paralysis. It is often transmitted through fecal-oral contact. While 90-95% of the people may not show any symptoms, there are some who experience mild symptoms like nausea, fever, decreased appetite, constipation, etc. There are three types of poliomyelitis- Abortive poliomyelitis, Non-paralytic poliomyelitis and Paralytic poliomyelitis.

Paget's Disease: It mostly affects older men and women. The metabolism rate of bones is altered in the person suffering from paget's disease. Bones in the human body usually break down and rebuild themselves throughout life. The breakdown process of bones during this condition becomes faster than the rate of renewal. Consequently the bones become fragile, weak and susceptible to fractures and infections.

Disk Herniation: The bones that make up our spine are being cushioned by soft disks, which are filled with a jelly-like substance. These disks play an important role of supporting the vertebrae and keeping them in place. However a herniated disk loses its elasticity and ruptures. When the spinal disk ruptures it gets pushed outside its normal position causing the nerves around the area to compress. This in turn causes numbness, pain and tenderness in the area adversely affecting the functioning of the nerves and the spinal cord.

Tendinitis: Tendons are the tough connective tissue cords between the muscles and bones, which help muscles to move the bones. Tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons that is caused by the overuse of muscles or due to an injury. It usually affects joints of the knees, hips, elbows, shoulders, heels and wrists. It causes tenderness and pain near these joints. When tendinitis affects the elbow it is given a specific name - Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis).

Wilson's Disease: Copper in the human body plays an important role of keeping the bones, nerves, collagen, etc., in a healthy state and this copper is absorbed from the food that we consume. When there is excess copper buildup, the liver excretes it out of the body with the help of bile (a substance produced in the liver). Wilson's disease occurs when excess amount of copper is not eliminated from the body and starts accumulating in the liver, brain and other vital organs of the body.

The well-being of our skeletal system depends on a variety of factors including genetic makeup, diet, lifestyle and exercise. Anomalies or ignorance in any of these aspects can lead to a variety of diseases or conditions that are not only painful, but also make simple activities like lifting a pencil from the ground, extremely difficult.

Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure

What causes high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls.

The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, and to the development of heart failure.

What Is "Normal" Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure reading has a top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic). The ranges are:

·         Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80)

·         Prehypertension: 120-139 over 80-89

·         Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159 over 90-99

·         Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above over 100 and above

People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult their doctor about steps to take to lower it.

Essential Hypertension

• In as many as 95% of reported high blood pressure cases in the U.S., the underlying cause cannot be determined.
• This type of high blood pressure is called essential hypertension.
• Though essential hypertension remains somewhat mysterious, it has been linked to certain risk factors.
• High blood pressure tends to run in families and is more likely to affect men than women.
• Essential hypertension is also greatly influenced by diet and lifestyle.
• The link between salt and high blood pressure is especially compelling.
• The majority of all people with high blood pressure are "salt sensitive," meaning that anything more than the minimal bodily need for salt is too much for them and increases their blood pressure.
•  Other factors that can raise the risk of having essential hypertension include obesity; diabetes; stress; insufficient intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium; lack of physical activity; and chronic alcohol consumption.

Secondary Hypertension

1. When a direct cause for high blood pressure can be identified, the condition is described as secondary hypertension.
2. Among the known causes of secondary hypertension, kidney disease ranks highest.
3. Hypertension can also be triggered by tumors or other abnormalities that cause the adrenal glands (small glands that sit atop the kidneys) to secrete excess amounts of the hormones that elevate blood pressure.
4.  Birth control pills -- specifically those containing estrogen -- and pregnancy can boost blood pressure, as can medications that constrict blood vessels. 

Who Is More Likely to Develop High Blood Pressure?

People with family members who have high blood pressure

• Smokers
• African-Americans
• Pregnant women
• Women who take birth control pills
• People over the age of 35
• People who are overweight or obese
• People who are not active
• People who drink alcohol excessively
• People who eat too many fatty foods or foods with too much salt
• People who have sleep apnea
• Symptoms & Types
• Warning Signs

Types

Malignant Hypertension

Malignant hypertension is extremely high blood pressure that develops suddenly and rapidly and causes some type of organ damage.

Renal hypertension

Renal hypertension, also called renovascular hypertension, is elevated blood pressure caused by kidney disease.

Complications

High Blood Pressure and Atherosclerosis

One of the most serious health problems related to untreated high blood pressure, atherosclerosis contributes to coronary artery disease. Learn about symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Stroke and Hypertension

A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off and people who have hypertension are four to six times more likely to have a stroke. Stay safe: Learn your risk factors and the warning signs of stroke and what to do in a stroke emergency.

Hypertension and Heart Disease

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death associated with hypertension. Learn more about related heart conditions, their diagnoses, and treatment.

Kidney Disease and Hypertension

Hypertension is a major cause of kidney disease and kidney failure. 

High Blood Pressure and Eye Disease

Untreated hypertension can affect your eyesight, causing damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Known as hypertensive retinopathy, learn more about this condition and its prevention.

High Blood Pressure and Diabetes

Hypertension is a risk factor for the development and worsening of many diabetes complications, and likewise having diabetes increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. Learn more about how these two conditions affect one another.

Preeclampsia: High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy

High blood pressure can be a sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related problem that can become life-threatening. 

Metabolic Syndrome and High Blood Pressure

Metabolic syndrome is a group of health problems which include too much fat around the waist, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and more -- all increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. 

High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction

High blood pressure by itself can lead to erectile dysfunction. But some drugs fortreating high blood pressure can actually be the cause as well. Find out more about why high blood pressure is a major cause of erection problems.

Treatment & Care

Treating high blood pressure can take a multi-pronged approach including diet changes, medication, and exercise. Learn about hypertension treatment options here.

Treatment

Hypertension Treatment

Treatment for hypertension comes in many forms -- from lifestyle changes to medication. Learn more from this overview about how to lower blood pressure here.

High Blood Pressure and Smoking

Did you know that people who smoke are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease? Learn more and get tips on quitting -- and avoiding a relapse.

Hypertension and Stress

Left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Get tips on the warning signs of dangerous stress and learn how to reduce it, while boosting a positive outlook.

Complementary and Alternative Treatment for Hypertension

There are many types of complementary and alternative treatments believed to be effective for treating hypertension. Get the facts on your options.

High Blood Pressure Drugs

Your doctor has hundreds of different high blood pressure drugs to choose from. These medications work in a variety of ways to lower blood pressure.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are drugs used to lower blood pressure. They work by slowing the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and widens blood vessels.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are high blood pressure drugs that widen or dilate your blood vessels to improve the amount of blood your heart pumps and lower blood pressure.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have the same effects as ACE inhibitors, another type of blood pressure drug, but work by a different mechanism.

Diuretics (Water Pills)

For high blood pressure, diuretics, commonly known as "water pills," help your body get rid of unneeded water and salt through the urine. Getting rid of excess salt and fluid helps lower blood pressure and can make it easier for your heart to pump.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are drugs used to treat high blood pressure. They block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart.

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements

In the past 10 years, many Americans have turned to omega-3 fish oil supplements. Dietary fish and fish oil supplements have benefits for healthy people and also those with heart disease.

Tips for Checking Your Own Blood Pressure

There are certain factors that can cause blood pressure to temporarily rise. For example, blood pressure normally rises as a result of:

•          Stress
•          Smoking
•          Cold temperatures
•          Exercise
•          Caffeine

·         Certain medicines

Try to avoid as many of these factors as you can when taking your blood pressure. Also, try to measure your blood pressure at about the same time each day. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times during the day to see if it fluctuates.

Before Checking Your Blood Pressure

1. ·         Find a quiet place to check your blood pressure. You will need to listen for your heartbeat.
2. ·         Make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed with a recently emptied bladder (a full bladder may affect your reading).
3. ·         Roll up the sleeve on your arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing.
4. ·         Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. Your arm should rest comfortably at heart level. Sit up straight with your back against the chair, legs uncrossed. Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand facing up.

Step-by-Step Blood Pressure Check

If you purchase a manual or digital blood pressure monitor (sphygmomanometer), follow the instruction carefully.

The following steps provide an overview of how to take your left arm blood pressure on either a manual or digital blood pressure monitor. Simply reverse the sides to take a blood pressure in your right arm.

1. Locate your pulse

Locate your pulse by lightly pressing your index and middle fingers slightly to the inside center of the bend of your elbow (where the brachial artery is). If you cannot locate your pulse, place the head of the stethoscope (on a manual monitor) or the arm cuff (on a digital monitor) in the same general area.

2. Secure the cuff

Thread the cuff end through the metal loop and slide the cuff onto your arm, making sure that the stethoscope head is over the artery (when using a manual monitor.) The cuff may be marked with an arrow to show the location of the stethoscope head. The lower edge of the cuff should be about 1 inch above the bend of your elbow. Use the fabric fastener to make the cuff snug, but not too tight.

Place the stethoscope in your ears. Tilt the ear pieces slightly forward to get the best sound.

3. Inflate and deflate the cuff

1. If you are using a manual monitor:
2.  Hold the pressure gauge in your left hand and the bulb in your right.
3.  Close the airflow valve on the bulb by turning the screw clockwise.
4. Inflate the cuff by squeezing the bulb with your right hand. You may hear your pulse in the stethoscope.
5.  Watch the gauge. Keep inflating the cuff until the gauge reads about 30 points (mm Hg) above your expected systolic pressure. At this point, you should not hear your pulse in the stethoscope.
6.  Keeping your eyes on the gauge, slowly release the pressure in the cuff by opening the airflow valve counterclockwise. The gauge should fall only 2 to 3 points with each heartbeat. (You may need to practice turning the valve slowly.)
7.  Listen carefully for the first pulse beat. As soon as you hear it, note the reading on the gauge. This reading is your systolic pressure (the force of the blood against the artery walls as your heart beats).
8.  Continue to slowly deflate the cuff.
9.  Listen carefully until the sound disappears. As soon as you can no longer hear your pulse, note the reading on the gauge. This reading is your diastolic pressure (the blood pressure between heartbeats).
10. Allow the cuff to completely deflate.

If you are using a digital monitor:
·         Hold the bulb in your right hand.
·         Press the power button. All display symbols should appear briefly, followed by a zero. This indicates that the monitor is ready.
·         Inflate the cuff by squeezing the bulb with your right hand. If you have a monitor with automatic cuff inflation, press the start button.
·         Watch the gauge. Keep inflating the cuff until the gauge reads about 30 points (mm Hg) above your expected systolic pressure.
·         Sit quietly and watch the monitor. Pressure readings will be displayed on the screen. For some devices, values may appear on the left, then on the right.
·         Wait for a long beep. This means that the measurement is complete. Note the pressures on the display screen. Systolic pressure (the force of the blood against the artery walls as your heart beats) appears on the left and diastolic pressure (the blood pressure between heartbeats) on the right. Your pulse rate may also be displayed in between or after this reading.
·         Allow the cuff to deflate.
If you did not get an accurate reading, DO NOT inflate the cuff again right away. Wait one minute before repeating the measurement. Start by reapplying the cuff.

4. Record your blood pressure.

Follow your doctor's instructions on when and how often you should measure your blood pressure. Record the date, time, systolic and diastolic pressures. You should also record any special circumstances like any recent exercise, meal, or stressful event.

At least once a year, and especially after you first purchase your blood pressure monitor, bring your monitor with you to your doctor's visit to check the machine’s accuracy. This is done by comparing a blood pressure reading from your machine with one from the doctor's office machine.

Blood Dieseases

Blood Dieseases

Blood disorders can affect any of the three main components of blood:

•      Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body's tissues
•      White blood cells, which fight infections
•    Platelets, which help blood to clot

Blood disorders can also affect the liquid portion of blood, called plasma.

Recommended Related to Blood Disorders

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Treatments and prognosis for blood diseases vary, depending on the blood condition and its severity.

Blood Disorders Affecting Red Blood Cells

Blood disorders that affect red blood cells include:

Anemia : People with anemia have a low number of red blood cells. Mild anemia often causes no symptoms. More severe anemia can cause fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath with exertion.

Iron-deficiency anemia: Iron is necessary for the body to make red blood cells. Low iron intake and loss of blood due to menstruation are the most common causes of iron-deficiency anemia. Treatment includes iron pills, or rarely, blood transfusion.

Anemia of chronic disease: People with chronic kidney disease or other chronic diseases tend to develop anemia. Anemia of chronic disease does not usually require treatment. Injections of a synthetic hormone (Epogen, Procrit) to stimulate the production of blood cells or blood transfusions may be necessary in some people with this form of anemia.

Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency): An autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing enough B12 in the diet. Besides anemia, nerve damage(neuropathy) can eventually result. High doses of B12 prevent long-term problems.

Aplastic anemia: In people with aplastic anemia, the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells, including red blood cells. A viral infection, drug side effect, or an autoimmune condition can cause aplastic anemia. Blood transfusions, and even a bone marrow transplant, may be required to treat aplastic anemia.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: In people with this condition, an overactive immune system destroys the body's own red blood cells, causing anemia. Medicines that suppress the immune system, such as prednisone, may be required to stop the process.

Thalassemia: This is a genetic form of anemia that mostly affects people of Mediterranean heritage. Most people have no symptoms and require no treatment. Others may need regular blood transfusions to relieve anemia symptoms.

Sickle cell anemia: A genetic condition that affects mostly African-Americans. Periodically, red blood cells change shape, and block blood flow. Severe pain and organ damage can occur.

Polycythemia vera : The body produces too many blood cells, from an unknown cause. The excess red blood cells usually create no problems but may cause blood clots in some people.

Malaria: A mosquito's bite transmits a parasite into a person's blood, where it infects red blood cells. Periodically, the red blood cells rupture, causing fever, chills, and organ damage. This blood infection is most common in Africa; those traveling to Africa are at risk and should take preventive measures. Malaria was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1940s.

Blood disorders that affect white blood cells include:

Lymphoma : A form of blood cancer that develops in the lymph system. In lymphoma, a white blood cell becomes malignant, multiplying and spreading abnormally. Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are the two major groups of lymphoma. Treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation can extend life with lymphoma, and sometimes cure it.

Leukemia : A form of blood cancer in which a white blood cell becomes malignant and multiplies inside bone marrow. Leukemia may be acute (rapid and severe) or chronic (slowly progressing). Chemotherapy and/or stem cell transplantation (bone marrow transplant) can treat leukemia, and sometimes result in a cure.

Multiple myeloma: A blood cancer in which a white blood cell called a plasma cell becomes malignant. The plasma cells multiply and release damaging substances that eventually cause organ damage. Multiple myeloma has no cure, but stem cell transplant and/or chemotherapy can allow people to live for years with the condition.

Myelodysplastic syndrome: A family of blood cancers that affect the bone marrow. Myelodysplastic syndrome often progresses very slowly, but may suddenly transform into a severe leukemia. Treatments usually include blood transfusions and chemotherapy. Stem cell transplant can sometimes cure younger people with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Blood Disorders Affecting Platelets

Blood disorders that affect the platelets include:

Thrombocytopenia : A low number of platelets in the blood. Numerous conditions cause thrombocytopenia; most do not result in abnormal bleeding.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: A condition causing a persistently low number of platelets in the blood, due to an unknown cause. Usually there are no symptoms, yet abnormal bruising, small red spots on the skin (petechiae), or abnormal bleeding can result.

Heparin -induced thrombocytopenia: A low platelet count caused by a reaction against heparin, a blood thinner given to most people who are hospitalized to prevent blood clots.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A rare blood disorder causing small blood clots to form in blood vessels throughout the body. Platelets are used up in the process, causing a low platelet count.

Essential thrombocytosis (primary thrombocythemia): The body produces too many platelets, due to an unknown cause. The platelets do not work properly, resulting in excessive clotting, bleeding, or both.

Blood Disorders Affecting Blood Plasma

Blood disorders that affect blood plasma include:

Sepsis : An infection somewhere in the body spreads into the blood. Symptoms include fever, rapid breathing, respiratory failure, and low blood pressure.

Hemophilia : A genetic deficiency of certain proteins that help blood to clot. There are multiple forms of hemophilia, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening.

von Willebrand disease: von Willebrand factor is a protein in blood that helps blood to clot. In von Willebrand disease, the body either produces too little of the protein, or produces a protein that doesn't work well. The condition is inherited, but most people with von Willebrand disease have no symptoms and don't know they have it. Some people with von Willebrand disease will have excessive bleeding after an injury or during surgery.

Hypercoaguable state (hypercoagulable state): A tendency for the blood to clot too easily. Most affected people have only a mild excess tendency to clot, and may never be diagnosed. Some people develop repeated episodes of blood clotting throughout life, requiring them to take a daily blood thinning medicine.

Deep venous thrombosis: A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. A deep venous thrombosis can dislodge and travel through the heart to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): A condition that causes tiny blood clots and areas of bleeding throughout the body simultaneously. Severe infections, surgery, or complications of pregnancy are conditions that can lead to DIC.