Blood Disorders Specialist

What are blood disorders?

Blood disorders are diseases that affect the quality and function of your blood cells. A wide range of blood disorders causes widespread symptoms. They include:

Anemia

Anemia occurs when you have a shortage of red blood cells or hemoglobin. Anemia isn’t an independent disease but a sign of other problems like iron deficiency, hemolysis, or genetic issues like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.

Coagulation disorders

Coagulation disorders interfere with the way your blood clots. You might not develop blood clots quickly enough or your blood could clot too rapidly or without cause.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)

Myelodysplastic syndromes are caused by genetic abnormalities and clonal dysfunction in your bone marrow. MDS causes a dramatic drop in your blood count and can lead to leukemia.

Myeloproliferative disorders

Myeloproliferative disorders are rare, slow-growing blood cancers. These diseases develop when your bone marrow produces too many abnormal red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

Plasma cell disorders

Plasma cells produce antibodies in response to inflammation. When you have too many or abnormal plasma cells, your ability to fight off infection and illness is compromised.

What are the signs of a blood disorder?

The different types of blood disorders cause a variety of symptoms. For example, if you have a red blood cell disorder, you could experience:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Poor concentration
• Muscle weakness
• Rapid heartbeat

A white blood cell disorders cause symptoms like:

• Chronic infections
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• A general feeling of malaise

Symptoms of a platelet disorder include:

• Cuts or sores that don’t heal
• Blood that doesn’t clot after an injury
• Easy bruising
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment at Wellness Oncology & Hematology right away for expert diagnosis and treatment.

How are blood disorders treated?

The doctors at Wellness Oncology & Hematology provide customized treatment to address your specific blood disorder.

Depending on your condition, you might benefit from medication to stimulate platelet production in your bone marrow or antibiotics to help your body fight off infections. You might also find that nutritional supplements, including iron, vitamin B9 (folic acid), and vitamin B12, can reduce anemia symptoms.

In some cases, you might need a bone marrow transplant or a blood transfusion to replace lost or damaged blood cells.

Call Wellness Oncology & Hematology or make an appointment online today if you’re concerned about blood disorders.