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Blood Disorders
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Blood Disorders

Blood disorders affect the components of your blood, preventing it from performing its essential functions, and can arise from inherited conditions, diseases, or nutritional deficiencies.

Overview

Your blood is living tissue made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part, called plasma, is made of water, salts, and protein and makes up over half of your blood. The solid part contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Causes

Blood disorders can be acute or chronic. While many are inherited, other causes include:

  • Other underlying diseases
  • Side effects of medicines
  • A lack of certain nutrients in your diet

Types of Blood Disorders

  • Platelet disorders, excessive clotting, and bleeding problems, which affect how your blood clots.
  • Anemia, which happens when your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body.
  • Cancers of the blood, such as leukemia and myeloma.
  • Eosinophilic disorders, which are problems with one type of white blood cell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms of blood disorders can vary widely depending on the specific condition, but common signs include persistent fatigue, unexplained bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, or swollen lymph nodes. If you experience any of these symptoms persistently, it's important to consult a doctor for evaluation.
Diagnosis usually begins with a physical exam and a review of your medical history. Key diagnostic tools often include blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) to measure red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and a peripheral blood smear to examine blood cell appearance. Further tests might include bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, genetic testing, or specialized clotting factor tests, depending on the suspected disorder.
Yes, for some blood disorders, diet and lifestyle play a significant role. For instance, nutritional deficiencies like iron-deficiency anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency anemia can often be prevented or managed with dietary changes and supplements. Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding excessive alcohol can support overall blood health, though inherited or disease-related blood disorders may require more specific medical interventions.
If you have an inherited blood disorder, it means the condition was passed down through your genes. This often implies that other family members, such as parents, siblings, or children, could also be carriers or affected by the disorder. Genetic counseling can help your family understand the inheritance pattern, assess their risk, and discuss options for genetic testing or family planning.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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