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Blood donation is important in improving the health of people who have genetic blood diseases that can have a significant impact on their lives, such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and hemophilia.
In this article, we will look at the advantages of blood donation for patients with these genetic diseases and how it can improve their lives.
What exactly are inherited blood diseases?
Hereditary blood diseases are driven by mutations in the genes responsible for the production of blood cells, which results in insufficient production of blood cells, affecting the body's various blood functions.
The following are some of the most common genetic blood disorders:
1. Sickle-cell disease
Sickle cell anemia is one of the most common genetic blood diseases. It is caused by the formation of weak and abnormal red blood cells that form a crescent shape, resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen transported to the body.
Disease symptoms include:
- Excessive fatigue.
- Shortness of breath.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Joint pain.
2. thalassemia
It is also known as "Mediterranean anemia", and it is one of the most common genetic blood disorders, resulting in a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen to the body from its normal rate.
Among the most noticeable symptoms of thalassemia are:
- Exhaustion and weakness.
- Skin that is pale.
- Osteoporosis.
- Delayed growth.
3. Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a rare genetic blood disease that causes a lack of blood clotting due to a lack of elements (proteins) responsible for clotting, resulting in continuous bleeding that lasts longer than necessary. Its symptoms include:
- Excessive bleeding, whether from surgery, an injury, or otherwise.
- Joint swelling and pain.
- The appearance of bruises on the body as a result of internal bleeding.
- Consistent nosebleeds.
How does blood donation benefit patients with genetic blood disorders?
First of all, we must understand that blood is made up of three components:
- red blood cells.
- platelets.
- plasma.
The benefits of blood donation for patients do not stop there; it can also help with:
1. Increase infection resistance.
Because of the antibodies in it, plasma from donor blood can be used for blood transfusions for people with heavy bleeding to increase their resistance to infection and aid in blood clotting.
2. the field of scientific research
Blood donations can also make a significant contribution to scientific research, especially genetic research, in the future aimed at finding new treatments for genetic diseases in general and genetic blood disorders in particular.
Finally, donating blood not only benefits patients but also blood donors by protecting them from future diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and others. By continuing to donate blood, we will help to improve the health of donors and patients, particularly those with genetic blood diseases.