blood disorder A blood disorder refers to a category of diseases that originate from the hematopoietic system, primarily affecting the blood and hematopoietic organs, leading to abnormal blood changes. Patients often present with anemia, bleeding, and fever as the main features. Blood disorders often have insidious onsets, with variable clinical manifestations that patients may not readily notice. They are frequently discovered during medical visits for other conditions or routine health check-ups. Additionally, this category of diseases is challenging to treat, with low cure rates and a high likelihood of recurrence.

Hematologic diseases refer to a category of conditions that originate in the hematopoietic system or primarily affect blood and hematopoietic organs, leading to abnormal changes in blood. Patients often present with anemia, bleeding, and fever as the main characteristics. Hematologic diseases often have insidious onsets and varied clinical presentations, making it difficult for patients to self-detect. They are typically discovered during medical visits for other ailments or during routine health check-ups. Additionally, these diseases are challenging to treat, with low cure rates and a high risk of recurrence.

Chemical factors

Interferon and certain harmful chemical agents (such as pesticides, benzene, etc.) can inhibit bone marrow hematopoietic function. Antibiotics, antiviral drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to the destruction of blood cells. Drugs such as sulfa drugs, penicillin, quinine, and methyldopa may cause hemolysis. Chloramphenicol, chemotherapy drugs, aminopyrine, methimazole, etc., can cause bone marrow failure.

Physical factors

X-rays, radioactive isotopes, and other physical factors can directly damage hematopoietic stem cells and the bone marrow microenvironment, affecting hematopoiesis.

Biological factors

This includes severe infections caused by viruses or bacteria, such as human T-cell leukemia virus leading to human T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, and the association of various lymphomas with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Some cases of aplastic anemia may be related to infections such as hepatitis virus and parvovirus B19.

Genetic factors

Some hematologic diseases are related to genetics, either due to familial inheritance or spontaneous mutations resulting in genetic defects. Conditions like Fanconi anemia caused by congenital defects in hematopoietic stem cells, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, etc., caused by congenital defects in red blood cells are examples. However, many hematologic tumors occur due to acquired genetic mutations, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, etc., and strictly speaking, they are not caused by genetic factors.

Immune factors

The occurrence of some hematologic diseases is related to the immune system attacking its own cells, such as aplastic anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, etc.

Nutritional factors

Deficiency of essential nutrients required for normal blood cell production can trigger certain hematologic diseases. For example, inadequate iron intake or absorption, or chronic bleeding, can lead to iron-deficiency anemia; deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia.

Anemia

Fatigue is the main symptom and is a manifestation of anemia or malignant disease processes. Patients experience weakness, fatigue, reduced endurance, and objective signs of pallor in the skin and mucous membranes. Additionally, there may be signs of hypoxia in multiple systems, such as palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness, headache, abnormal sensations, blurred consciousness, drowsiness, memory loss, delayed reactions, decreased appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, increased nocturia, low specific gravity urine, increased menstrual flow in females, or secondary amenorrhea, decreased libido, etc.

Bleeding

Bleeding is an important clinical manifestation of hematologic system diseases and mainly presents as skin and mucosal bleeding, such as petechiae, ecchymosis, hematoma, etc. Petechiae and ecchymosis are most commonly seen in patients with thrombocytopenia, acquired or hereditary platelet function abnormalities, and von Willebrand disease. Patients may also experience epistaxis, gingival bleeding, menorrhagia, and in severe cases, internal bleeding such as hematuria, gastrointestinal bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and in rare cases, death due to severe bleeding.

Lymphadenopathy, Splenomegaly

Hematopoietic system tumors infiltration or extramedullary hematopoiesis due to bone marrow disorders, such as lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, plasma cell neoplasms, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, primary myelofibrosis, lipid storage diseases, etc., can cause enlargement of lymphoid organs (including lymph nodes, spleen, etc.). Severe hemolytic anemia (especially extravascular hemolysis), hypersplenism, etc., can also cause splenomegaly, but usually without massive splenomegaly.

Some hematologic diseases can be cured with active treatment. For example, nutritional anemia can be cured by supplementing the corresponding nutrients, but care should be taken to avoid recurring deficiencies. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be used to treat neoplastic diseases, and some patients can be cured through this technology. There are also diseases with good prognosis after standardized treatment, such as childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and adult acute promyelocytic leukemia, with cure rates of over 80%.

Patients with hematologic diseases who have poor long-term treatment outcomes or who require transplantation generally have more severe psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, etc. Family members should patiently and meticulously provide psychological support to patients and boost their treatment confidence.

Anemia patients should be given a high-calorie, high-protein, high-vitamin, and mineral-rich diet, such as eggs, lean meat, legumes, fresh vegetables, and fruits, to correct picky eating habits.

Hematologic disease patients in remission can engage in rehabilitation exercises as appropriate, such as walking, jogging, tai chi, etc., to improve their quality of life, but should avoid strenuous exercise to reduce the risk of trauma and bleeding.

Maintain a clean living environment with adequate ventilation, suitable temperature and humidity; develop good hygiene habits, pay attention to oral hygiene, and keep bedding, bedding, and clothing dry and clean; quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

Patients undergoing drug therapy should strictly follow the prescribed medications and should not change the dosage or usage of medications without medical advice. After discharge, they should also undergo regular follow-up as per medical advice.

Hematologic diseases have complex and varied causes. Those caused by inherent genetic defects or drug-induced factors are often difficult to prevent. However, those triggered by environmental factors or lifestyle can be reduced by adjusting one's lifestyle. Specific prevention measures include:

Pay attention to personal and environmental safety and try to eliminate pathogenic factors in the workplace and living environment.

Overcome unhealthy lifestyles and habits, pay attention to a balanced diet, proper nutrition, quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption.

Engage in appropriate exercise, improve physical fitness, and enhance the body's ability to resist diseases.

Use medications in a scientific and reasonable manner, pay attention to keeping warm, and prevent viral infections, etc.

Actively treat primary diseases that can cause hematologic diseases.

For individuals with a family history of hematologic diseases, genetic screening should be performed during pregnancy, and based on the screening results, consideration should be given to continuing the pregnancy.