Tag: Hematology

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent dangerous blood clots, but their name is misleading; they don't actually 'thin' your blood. This naturally leads to the question: Do blood thinners affect red blood cell count? The answer reveals an important distinction between a medication's intended action and its potential indirect consequences.

Affecting up to one percent of the global population, von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited coagulopathy. Despite its prevalence, many people with mild forms of the condition remain undiagnosed due to the subtlety of their symptoms. This guide explains everything you need to know about the most common coagulopathy.

According to the American Society of Hematology, blood cancers and disorders affect millions of people worldwide. When referred to a specialist, many patients wonder, what does a hematologist do on your first visit? This guide will demystify the process and prepare you for your first consultation.

Over five million Americans receive blood transfusions each year, making the study of blood and its related conditions a critical field of medicine. If you're asking, "What medical term means pertaining to blood?", the answer lies in understanding common medical prefixes derived from ancient languages, which form the basis for countless health-related terms.

While it seems counterintuitive, a very high platelet count can indeed cause bleeding. This paradoxical effect occurs in conditions like thrombocythemia, where excessive platelets either malfunction or consume other clotting factors, leading to a higher risk of hemorrhage.

Comprising approximately 8% of total body weight, blood is a vital fluid that performs an immense array of tasks. The question, **Why is blood considered an organ?**, challenges traditional anatomical definitions by focusing on its functional complexity and systemic importance.

According to Yale Medicine, in healthy adults, the blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. When these levels drop too low, a condition called thrombocytopenia can result in a range of clinical symptoms.

With a normal platelet count ranging from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter, any count below this is diagnosed as thrombocytopenia, a condition where a low platelet count impairs the body's ability to form blood clots. **What is the clinical presentation of thrombocytopenia?** The signs can range from subtle to severe, depending on the platelet count and underlying cause, affecting the patient's bleeding risk and overall health.

Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by a low platelet count in the blood. While it is not an infection itself, various infections, both bacterial and viral, can trigger or cause it.

While over 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S., it's important for patients to understand what are the common side effects of blood transfusions and how they are managed. This procedure, while routine, requires careful monitoring to ensure patient safety and detect any adverse reactions early.