They say, “Blood is the life force that sustains us.” That’s why it’s important to protect it from diseases. What better way to prevent blood disorders than to educate ourselves about it? Here are some things you should know about blood disorders.
Read more: Blood Donation: What You Need To Know
Blood Disorders in the Philippines
The three widespread blood disorders in the Philippines are anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition wherein the body does not produce the average amount of red blood cells, thus weakening the person. There is several types of anemia, but the most common one is iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). It is an anemic problem caused by the lack of iron, an important mineral for creating healthy red blood cells.
IDA is a big concern in Philippine health. Based on the 1998 Fifth National Nutrition Survey (NNS), out of 36,364 Filipinos, anemia is more prevalent in infants 6 months to 1 year old (56.6%), pregnant women (50.3%), male elderly (49.1%) and lactating women (45.7%). In the 2013 NNS, there has been a decrease in trend. However, it is still evident that infants and the poor are the most susceptible to this disease. Moreover, the recorded deaths caused by anemia was 3,332 in 2021.
Hemophilia
Another prevalent blood disorder in the Philippines is hemophilia – a genetic disease that causes clotting problems. According to the World Hemophilia Federation, 10,000 Filipinos have hemophilia. It exclusively affects males, but there are very rare cases where women get this condition.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells. The overproduction of white blood cells destroys healthy blood cells and makes it difficult for healthy white blood cells to function properly. Reports have shown 4,270 new cases in 2015, with 3,386 deaths in the same year. It is projected that at least 4.5 per 100,000 Filipinos may develop leukemia.
What are other common blood diseases?
Aside from anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia, here are some other blood diseases and disorders:
- Erythrocytosis: Also known as polycythemia. It is a condition wherein the body produces too many red blood cells.
- Leukopenia: A blood disorder where the body has low white blood cells.
- Leukocytosis: A condition with an increased level of white blood cells.
- Thrombocytopenia: A blood condition meaning a low platelet count.
- Thrombocytosis: A disorder in which the body produces too many platelets.
What are the common blood disorder symptoms?
Each blood disorder has different signs and symptoms. However, most blood disorders may present the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Chest pains
- Easy bruising
- Excessive bleeding
What is the most common cause of blood disorders?
Genetics is one of the leading causes of blood disorders. For example, leukemia and hemophilia are hereditary and can be passed on to children. Another cause would be other diseases. It is possible that due to another health condition, blood problems occur. Similarly, medications prescribed for these illnesses may also be the cause.
Lastly, one of the most common causes of blood disorders would be a lack of nutrients. Several essential nutrients are vital in maintaining healthy blood cells, such as iron and vitamin B12.
Diagnoses and Treatments
Blood disorders should only be diagnosed and treated by medical professionals. Several blood conditions can be interlinked with or lead to other diseases, so it’s crucial to get it checked and treated immediately. Possible treatments might be changes in diet, prescription medications, chemotherapy, or other medical procedures.
