Blood Disorders: Treatment, Cost And Side Effects

A Blood disorder is a cumulative condition of the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the plates in the blood. Each type of cell is responsible for different functions to carry out in the circulatory system. These blood cells are formed in the soft tissue found inside the bone which is known as bone marrow.

Functions of red blood cells:

• The function of the red blood cells is to carry oxygen with the help of haemoglobin protein in the cells.
• Causing blood to clot in order to stop excessive blood loss.
• Transporting immune system-supporting cells and antibodies.
• Delivering waste materials to the liver and kidneys, which clean and filter the blood.

Functions of white blood cells:

• White blood cells are responsible for fighting infections in the body.
• Maintains our immune system.

Functions of platelets:

• Platelets in the blood are small disc-shaped cells responsible for blood clotting.
• It helps to prevent and stop bleeding.

The disorder of blood cells affects their function and formation. The symptoms of blood cell disorder will vary depending upon the underlying cause of the disorder.

Some common red blood cells disorders are:

• Anemia: Anemia is a condition wherein the RBC either lacks a particular mineral or doesn’t get produced or gets destroyed or gets a deformity.
• Thalassemia: Thalassemia is also caused due to a genetic mutation affecting normal haemoglobin production. Thalassemia causes enlargement of the spleen, deformities of the bones, cardiac problems and development problems in children.
• Polycythemia vera: Polycythemia vera is a cancer of the blood caused due to gene mutation wherein the excess number of RBCs are made in the bone marrow thereby making the blood more viscous and resulting in stroke or cardiac arrest.

Disorders of white blood cells can cause life-threatening diseases like lymphoma, leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Lymphoma and leukaemia both are types of blood cancer due to the uncontrolled multiplication of WBCs in the blood.

Platelet disorders are mainly genetic and inherited. Some of the platelet disorders are haemophilia characterised by excessive and prolonged bleeding due to deficiency of blood clotting factor, primary thrombocythemia which causes excessive clotting of blood and thereby increasing the risk of cardiac arrest and stroke.

Plasma cells in the blood plasma are important in making antibodies that maintain the immunity of the body. Plasma cell myeloma is a blood cancer which occurs due to the accumulation of cancerous plasma cells in the bone marrow forming tumours.

Treatment for blood disorders may be through medication or surgery depending upon the disorder's underlying cause. Medication normally involves dietary supplements and hormone injections. Surgery may also be required in order to replace or repair bone marrow and to transfuse blood into the system.

Blood disorders can be acute or chronic. They affect the functioning of your body. It can lead to multiple symptoms including fatigue and weight loss. It weakens our immune system. It involves multiple parts of the blood and interrupts its proper functioning. In severe cases, blood disorders can be life-threatening.

The most common bleeding disorders are:

• Hemophilia B
• Hemophilia A
• Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)

Anaemia is the most common type of blood disorder. It is a non-cancerous blood disorder. The main cause of anaemia is a lack of red blood cells. It leads to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, difficulty in breathing and skin pallor.

Symptoms of blood disorders depend and vary on the type of blood disorder. Common symptoms of red blood cell disorder are:

• Fatigue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Poor concentration
• Fast heartbeat

Common symptoms of white blood cell disorder are:

• Fatigue
• Chronic infection
• Weight loss

Common symptoms of platelet disorder are:

• Improper blood clotting
• Skin bruises
• Slow healing

The most common cause of blood disorders is genes. Most blood disorders are inherited from parents to children. These inherited conditions affect the bone marrow and blood. Some inherited blood disorders are thalassemia, anaemia, von Willebrand disease and haemophilia A and B.

Various alternatives used for the treatment of blood disorders are:

• Medications: Anaemia can be treated with the help of vitamin B 12 injections, oral iron and folic acid supplements or tablets. Prednisone medication is useful for treating autoimmune hemolytic anaemia thereby increasing the haemoglobin in the blood. In some patients IV immunoglobulins, cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide are used in case of relapse of the condition.
• Blood and platelet transfusion: Red blood cell transfusion is done to compensate for the production of RBCs in the bone marrow. Pain in the case of sickle cell anaemia can be managed with pain-relieving narcotics and transfusion if there is an impairment of normal functioning of the heart and lungs. Sickle cell disease can also be treated with another medication called hydroxyurea.
• Corticosteroids: Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count can be treated with steroids, anti-Rh antibodies, rituximab and IV immunoglobulin.
• Plasma exchange: TTP or thrombocytopenic purpura is treated by exchanging the plasma in the body with new plasma as the platelets already present get accumulated and disrupt blood flow. Myeloproliferative diseases like polycythemia can be treated by removing blood from the body at a few intervals to maintain the RBC count in the circulatory system. Treatment of haemophilia involves the replacement of the blood clotting factor.
• Anticoagulants: If a blood clot has already formed, it can be treated with an anticoagulant injection.

Persons with blood disorder have signs and symptoms of palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, chronic infections, malaise, easy bruising of skin, bleeding of gums and from nose etc. are recommended to go for diagnostic tests. If tested positive, the person will be eligible for treatment.

If on diagnosis person is not tested positive, he/she will not be eligible for treatment.

Yes, there can be side effects for several blood disorder treatment like blood transfusion, IV immunoglobulin and rituxan can have reaction symptoms like dizziness, chills, dark urine, skin flushing, fever, nausea, hypotension, myalgia, urticarial, angioedema etc.

Regular check-ups are recommended for monitoring of conditions after the treatment is given. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, platelets and RBC and WBC count must be done after the treatment.

You should immediately see your healthcare provider if you have the following symptoms:

• Chronic infections
• Faster heartbeat
• Fainting
• Excessive bleeding
• Unexpected weight loss
• Difficulty breathing
• Nose bleeding
• Bleeding from gums and gastrointestinal system
• Improper wound healing,/li>

You should consult a haematologist for blood disorders, as they specialize in diagnosing and treating the disorders affecting blood, the lymphatic system and bone marrow.

Medicines used for the treatment of Blood Disorders are:

• Anticoagulants (heparin or warfarin)
• Hespan
• Hetastarch
• Hextend

The time for recovery will depend upon the particular type of blood disorder. Recovery from anemia after taking iron or vitamin B12 supplement may take a month or two to have appropriate levels in the blood, recovery from blood cancer may take more than six month or may even require longer.

The price of blood disorder treatment in India may range from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 20 lakh depending upon the type of disorder and the type of treatment required.

Yes, the results are permanent or may be required for life long.

There are no alternatives to the treatment.