The human blood is a living tissue made up of liquids and solids. The liquid part of the blood, known as the Plasma, is made up of water, salts and protein. Over half the portion of the human blood is plasma. The solid part of the blood is composed of three types of cells with specific functions – red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body, white blood cells defend against infections and platelets help control bleeding. These blood cells are made in the bone marrow, so a well-functioning bone marrow is necessary for healthy blood.
Blood disorders affect one or more parts of the blood and prevent it from doing its job. They can be acute (progressing fast) or chronic (progressing slow). Some blood disorders, such as Thalassaemia are inherited. Other causes include other diseases, side effects of medicines, and a lack of certain nutrients in the diet.
The treatment modalities and prognosis for various blood disorders vary depending on the blood condition and its severity.