March is National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a group of common, and often serious, bleeding disorders. When something is wrong with your blood, it affects your overall health. The human body needs all of its blood clotting proteins and platelets operating correctly to form a blood clot strong enough to stop any bleeding as a result of injury. When these proteins and platelets are compromised or deficient, your body is unable to effectively initiate its clotting process, causing you to bleed longer.
Common blood and bleeding disorders
There are many blood disorders affecting the red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and blood plasma. Here are the most common blood disorders:
- Anemia – A deficiency of red blood cells, resulting in fatigue.
- Hemophilia – An inability to create effective blood clots, causing excessive bleeding.
- Leukemia – A condition in which blood-forming organs suppress the production of normal blood cells.
- Lymphoma – A cancer affecting the white blood cells, which limits the body’s ability to fight disease or infection.
- Myeloma – A cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow, which limits the body’s ability to produce antibodies.
Warning signs of bleeding or blood disorder
Know what to look for and understand the warning signs of bleeding disorders so you can better manage your health.
- Unexplained and excessive bleeding from a cut or injury
- Easy or excessive bruising
- Unusual bleeding after vaccinations
- Pain, swelling or tightness in joints
- Blood in urine or stools
- Unusually heavy menstrual flow
- Nosebleeds without a known cause
Treating blood disorders
To effectively diagnose and treat bleeding or blood disorders, doctors will usually request blood samples and conduct laboratory testing. Laboratory testing is a fundamental aspect of leading-edge healthcare. At Charles River Medical Associates, most testing is done onsite by our Laboratory Services Department. Accredited and highly trained technicians, medical technologists, phlebotomists and specimen handlers operate this department. They take extreme caution when performing your tests in order to provide error-free medical care and results. We have a comprehensive set of testing capabilities onsite, giving our doctors the information they need quickly, so they can continue providing you with excellent care.
Blood disorders affect millions of people each year in the United States, many of which are painful and potentially life-threatening. If you are experiencing any of the warning signs above and think you suffer from a bleeding or blood disorder, contact Charles River Medical Associates today. We can provide you the answers to your concerns through quick and accurate test results. Contact us today at 508-848-2190 to get started.
