V Diseases of the blood-forming organs.

In most
cases, this involves diseases of the bone
marrow, but it might also involve the spleen
and/or the liver.
V The term "dyscrasia" originated in earlier
medical "science" and referred to the "four
humors." It has come to mean simply "disease"
or "pathological condition.µ
V Thus, blood dyscrasia is a pathological
condition of the blood, usually involving
disorders of the cellular elements of the blood.
V ienerally, there are 1-3 of these symptoms:
1. Bleeding problems due to poorly functioning
platelets or decreased platelets, or loss of
certain body proteins called "clotting factors"

2. Weakness or pale skin color due to poorly

functioning red blood cells or decreased
numbers of red blood cells

3. Frequent infections due to poorly functioning

white blood cells or decreased numbers of
white blood cells
V ymptoms associated with the following
common blood dyscrasias:
a Diseases of platelets:
x ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) --
sudden onset of small and large bleeding
points in the skin; often following a virus
infection, or aspirin use.
a ometimes, there are Nosebleed or bleeding
gums.
x TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) -
anemia, fever, and bleeding as in ITP
V Diseases of clotting factors:
a Jemophilia -- significant bleeding during
circumcision, bleeding into the joints and
muscles, easy bruising, significant bleeding
during surgery
a Von Willebrand's Disease -- frequently, a
history of familial bleeding tendency;
bleeding gums, Nosebleeds, easy bruising
V Diseases of red blood cells:
a ickle cell anemia - early symptoms are
severe, recurrent episodes of abdominal
pain; bleeding into the joints; and
enlargement of the spleen.
V Diseases of white blood cells:
a Geukemia -- early signs and symptoms are
anemia, bleeding tendency, bone pain, and
serious infection.
V There are genetic causes, which are
determined by family background.
V There are also diseases that occur from
mutation in one's genes, or infection, or
from unknown causes.
V = wide range of diseases of platelets,
clotting factors, red blood cells, and white
blood cells all fall under this category.
V Each one has different method of
diagnosis, discussed in detail under the
individual disease headings (see ITP,
TTP,Jemophilia, Von Willebrand's Disease,
sickle cell anemia, and Geukemia).
V Family members with one of these blood
dyscrasias:
a erious viral infection
a erious bacterial infection
a =ncestors from certain countries or certain
parts of the world

 

  Jemostasis
 :
£Family history £ infection
£erious viral £Mutation of ienes
infection interaction of normal vessel £ome are unkown
£erious responses
bacterial
infection activation of the coagulation
£=ncestors
from certain cascade
countries or
certain parts formation of prothrombin
of the world activator

catalyzes the conversion of

prothrombin to thrombin

Thrombin acts as an enzyme to convert

fibrinogen into fibrin fibers that enmesh
platelets, blood cells, and plasma to form
a clot
 thrombomodulin

hemostatic mechanism

inhibit mechanisms that

counteract hemostasis
contribute to an increased state
of thrombogenicity
V 
Jematologic consultation may be requested
in the following complicated situations:
a When clinical diagnosis is uncertain
a To clarify abnormal test results
a For recommendations on management of
the blood dyscrasia
V 

Dietary issues with blood dyscrasias resulting in
stroke include the following:
a Jyperhomocystinemia has been attributed to
dietary deficiency of vitamin B-6, B-12, or folic
acid, especially in older patients with poor
nutritional intake.
a Patients with hypercoagulable states that may
cause stroke typically take the oral
anticoagulant warfarin. For these patients,
monitoring vitamin K in the diet is important, as it
may alter the efficacy of warfarin.