blood disorders
Symptoms of Blood Disorders
Introduction
Blood disorders can cause various symptoms in almost any area of the body. Most commonly, symptoms are caused by decreases in the blood components. Decreased Red Blood Cells and hemoglobin can cause symptoms of Decreased White Blood Cells or Decreased Platelets or Occasionally, symptoms may relate to increases in blood components. Increased red blood cells ( Secondary Erythrocytosis ) can cause thickening of the blood (increased blood viscosity) and thereby cause headache and a reddened or ruddy complexion (plethora). Increased immune system proteins also can cause thickening of the blood (increased blood viscosity). Increased platelets ( Essential Thrombocythemia ) or blood clotting factors can cause inappropriate excessive blood clotting (thrombosis). When blood disorders cause a person's blood to become thickened, the thickened (more viscous) blood may have difficulty passing through small blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to certain areas of the body, which is a serious condition called Hyperviscosity syndrome . Affected people may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Hyperviscosity syndrome can occur in people who have Blood disorders often cause symptoms that can also occur in other disorders. For example, the weakness and shortness of breath caused by Overview of Anemia can be caused by other conditions that impair oxygen delivery to the body, such as heart or lung disorders. Also, Although people may have bleeding after an injury or a medical procedure (such as dental procedures) or during menstruation, the presence of some blood disorders makes such bleeding worse. Some symptoms are more suggestive of a blood disorder. Just a few examples include the following: How Blood Clots (phlebitis), usually in a leg (most often causing swelling, redness, and/or warmth of the leg or shortness of breath) Petechiae (fine pin-point red, purple, or brown spots on skin or mucus membranes such as inner surface of the eyelids or in the mouth) caused by Overview of Thrombocytopenia None Blood blisters in the mouth (caused by too few platelets or Bruising and Bleeding ) Swollen Lymph Nodes caused by white blood cell cancers (such as Pallor (pale, ashen, or gray skin) caused by Overview of Anemia None Pica (eating of ice, dirt, or clay) suggests 