Blood and Circulatory Disorders Sourcebook, 6th Ed.

Blood plays many important roles in the human body. It carries oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells, helps fight infection, and works to heal wounds. When a disorder inhibits its ability to meet the body’s needs or prevents blood from flowing or coagulating properly, a myriad of problems can result. Many blood diseases and disorders are caused by genes. Other risk factors include underlying comorbidities, side effects of medicines, and a lack of certain nutrients in your diet. One of the common blood disorders include anemia and bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.

Blood and Circulatory Disorders Sourcebook, Sixth Edition offers facts about blood function and composition, the maintenance of a healthy circulatory system, and the types of concerns that arise when processes go awry. It discusses the diagnosis and treatment of many common blood cell disorders, bleeding disorders, and circulatory disorders, including anemia, hemochromatosis, leukemia, lymphoma, hemophilia, hypercoagulation, thrombophilia, atherosclerosis, blood pressure irregularities, coronary artery and heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Blood donation, cord blood banking, blood transfusions, and bone marrow and stem cell transplants are also discussed. The book concludes with a glossary of related terms and a list of resources for further help and information.

Part 1: Understanding the Blood and Circulatory System explains the composition and types of blood and how it functions in the body. It describes blood donation and cord blood banking procedures, and it also discusses how aging and smoking affects the heart and blood vessels.

Part 2: Anemia and Related Disorders details the different types of anemia on the basis of inherited or acquired lack of red blood cell production. It also provides a detailed information on the various types of hemolytic anemia that are categorized on the basis of genetic predisposition. The part concludes with some tips on managing anemia.

Part 3: Cancer and Other Blood Disorders describes the cancers of the blood such as hemochromatosis, leukemia, lymphoma, plasma cell disorders, and white blood cell disorders. Information about the causes of these disorders is provided, and treatment strategies are discussed.

Part 4: Bleeding and Clotting Disorders provides information about bleeding disorders resulting from insufficient clotting, such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, and those resulting from excess clotting, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Methods of diagnosis and treatment options are included.

Part 5: Circulatory Disorders describes disorders affecting the veins, arteries, and heart. It includes information about aneurysms; stroke; blood pressure irregularities; atherosclerosis; coronary artery disease; peripheral vascular disease; and venous disorders, such as arteriovenous malformation and varicose and spider veins. Information about causes and diagnosis, as well as treatment options, is provided.

Part 6: Diagnosing and Treating Blood and Circulatory Disorders provides information about medical tests commonly used to identify and monitor blood and circulatory disorders. It offers facts about many of the medications often used in the treatment of these disorders and discusses procedures such as blood transfusion and bone marrow transplants.

Part 7: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of terms related to blood and circulatory disorders and a directory of resources offering additional help and support.