Page 133 - 84 human physiolofy part-1

Blood Physiology

who abuse anabolic steroids or erythropoietin may develop secondary polycythemia.

Relative polycythemia

Relative polycythemia is an apparent rise of the erythrocyte level in the blood; however, the
underlying cause is reduced blood plasma. Relative polycythemia is often caused by fluid loss i.e.
burns, dehydration and stress polycythemia.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal proliferation of
blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes). It is part of the broad group of diseases called
hematological neoplasms. Damage to the bone marrow, by way of displacing the normal marrow cells
with increasing numbers of malignant cells, results in a lack of blood platelets, which are important in
the blood clotting process. This means people with leukemia may become bruised, bleed excessively,
or develop pin-prick bleeds (petechiae).

White blood cells, which are involved in fighting pathogens, may be suppressed or dysfunctional,
putting the patient at the risk of developing infections. The red blood cell deficiency leads to anaemia,
which may cause dyspnea. All symptoms may also be attributable to other diseases; for diagnosis,
blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy are required.

Glossary

Albumin: a major blood protein responsible for the maintenance of osmotic (water) pressure in the
blood

Anemia: a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin caused by lack of iron, folic acid or
vitamin B12 in the diet, or by red blood cell destruction; associated with decreased ability of blood to
carry oxygen

B-Cell: cell responsible for the distribution of antibodies

Basophil: this white blood cell enters damaged tissues and releases a histamine and other
chemicals that promote inflammation in the body to fight pathogens

Blood: the means and transport system of the body used in carrying elements - nutrition, waste,
heat - from one location in the body to another by way of blood vessels

Eosinophil: white blood cell that is involved in the immune response against parasitic worms
(such as tapeworms and roundworms). Named because it stains with the red dye "eosin."

Factor V Leiden most common genetic hypercoagulability disorder.

Formed Elements: the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets found in blood

Hematocrit: measurement of the % of red blood cells found in blood

Wikibooks | 133