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What Are the Different Types of Blood Disease?

Marisa O'Connor
Marisa O'Connor

There are many different types of blood disease, which are caused by a variety of factors, from genetics to nutritional deficiencies. Anemia, high blood pressure, and blood cholesterol are some well-known types of blood diseases. Sepsis, leukemia, and hemophilia represent a few other examples.

Anemia is a common type of blood disease, of which a deficiency of red blood cells is the primary indicator. There are many different types of anemia, distinguished by the cause of the red blood cell deficiency. Lack of iron, B12 vitamins, or folate can cause anemia. Secondary aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, and pernicious anemia are some examples of the different types of anemia.

Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.

Another type of well-known blood disease is high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer, because it frequently shows no symptoms until it is too late to be treated. Monitoring the blood pressure regularly is the best way to keep track of blood pressure levels and help prevent problems. Prolonged high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are the best way to prevent high blood pressure.

Anemia is a blood disease that causes a deficiency of red blood cells.
Anemia is a blood disease that causes a deficiency of red blood cells.

Blood cholesterol is a very treatable type of blood disease. As the name suggests, this disease is caused by a buildup of cholesterol in the blood stream. The cholesterol causes fat to build up on the walls of the arteries that carry the blood throughout the body. When too much blockage occurs, the arteries may narrow so much that blood flow to the heart is inhibited. If this disease is left untreated, it can cause heart attack and death.

High blood pressure is a well known blood disease.
High blood pressure is a well known blood disease.

Sepsis is a bacterial infection that occurs in the blood and is very serious and life threatening. The bacteria enter the body through open wounds and overwhelm the blood and organs. The sepsis bacteria is spread throughout the body via the blood stream and often causes pus to form in the infected wound. Bed sores, skin disorders, and surgical wounds are the most common causes of a sepsis infection. The gastrointestinal tract, liver, and lungs tend to suffer the most from this type of infection.

Blood clotting is a necessary part of the healing process, which slows and eventually stops bleeding.
Blood clotting is a necessary part of the healing process, which slows and eventually stops bleeding.

One of the most serious types of blood disease is leukemia, commonly known as blood cancer. Leukemia is a malignant condition that causes immature formation of blood cells in the bone marrow. All cancers, including leukemia, are caused by DNA mutations that affect the tumor suppressor genes. Genetics, carcinogens, and radiation are known to play a part in the onset of cancer, but the exact cause remains unknown and may vary with each case. Leukemia is often fatal when left untreated.

Generally, doctors recommend resting blood pressure levels be below 120/80.
Generally, doctors recommend resting blood pressure levels be below 120/80.

Hemophilia describes a blood disease that causes the blood to not clot properly. This is a very rare condition that can be life threatening. This disorder is caused by a lack of proteins in the blood that are responsible for blood clotting. Blood clotting is a necessary part of the healing process, which slows and eventually stops bleeding. Symptoms of hemophilia include longer, excessive bleeding and bruising.

Discussion Comments

Laotionne

I have a friend who has to take blood thinners because her blood clots too easily and this can be dangerous. The thinners work well, but she has to go for blood test regularly. If the thinners work too well then the blood clotting disease turns into a situation where her blood gets too thin.

When this happens she is in danger of having internal bleeding if she gets an injury. The bad thing is that she might have internal bleeding and not realize what is happening until she is in serious trouble. That's why she has to have regular blood tests.

Drentel

When I was having problems with my blood pressure being too high, my doctor asked whether I had a history of high blood pressure in my family. I think most people have some family members who have had the problem at some time in their lives.

What happens too often is that we assume because one of our parents had hypertension and our pressure in up then the condition must be a hereditary blood disease. I was able to lower my blood pressure readings with exercise and diet.

This wasn't a surprise to me because I knew I was out of condition, and that was probably why I was having a few health issues at the time. Too many people simply start taking blood pressure pills and continue taking them when they could have lowered their readings naturally with exercise and a healthy diet.

Doing it naturally is more difficult, but much safer. Blood pressure medicines have side effects that can be a headache, and they cost money.

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    • Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
      By: Alila
      Samples of blood from a healthy person and from one with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
    • Anemia is a blood disease that causes a deficiency of red blood cells.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Anemia is a blood disease that causes a deficiency of red blood cells.
    • High blood pressure is a well known blood disease.
      By: niyazz
      High blood pressure is a well known blood disease.
    • Blood clotting is a necessary part of the healing process, which slows and eventually stops bleeding.
      By: p6m5
      Blood clotting is a necessary part of the healing process, which slows and eventually stops bleeding.
    • Generally, doctors recommend resting blood pressure levels be below 120/80.
      By: dambuster
      Generally, doctors recommend resting blood pressure levels be below 120/80.
    • Pernicious anemia, the inability to absorb B12 is a type of blood disease.
      By: joshya
      Pernicious anemia, the inability to absorb B12 is a type of blood disease.
    • Blood cholesterol causes fat to buildup on the walls of the arteries that carry the blood throughout the body.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Blood cholesterol causes fat to buildup on the walls of the arteries that carry the blood throughout the body.
    • The presence of a disease is often discovered when the patient has a complete blood panel done.
      By: spflaum
      The presence of a disease is often discovered when the patient has a complete blood panel done.
    • Receiving a blood transfusion may increase an individual's risk of contracting sepsis.
      By: Max Tactic
      Receiving a blood transfusion may increase an individual's risk of contracting sepsis.