Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized primarily by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in the blood, which leads to an increased tendency for blood clotting. The root cause of APS lies in the immune system mistakenly producing…
Factor V Leiden is a genetic mutation that affects the blood’s ability to clot properly, leading to an increased tendency for abnormal blood clot formation. The complications of Factor V Leiden primarily stem from this heightened risk of thrombosis, which…
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is caused by problems related to a protein in the blood called von Willebrand factor (VWF). This protein plays a crucial role in helping blood clot properly when you get injured. The causes of VWD can…
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), also known as immune thrombocytopenia, is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, the tiny blood cells essential for clotting. Because platelets help stop bleeding, a low platelet count leads to a…
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but serious blood disorder characterized by the formation of tiny clots in small blood vessels throughout the body. These clots can block blood flow to vital organs, causing damage and leading to a…
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious condition characterized by the destruction of red blood cells, low platelet counts, and acute kidney injury. Treating HUS effectively requires addressing these core problems and preventing further complications. The treatments vary depending on…
Pyruvate kinase deficiency is caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the enzyme pyruvate kinase, specifically the PKLR gene. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the glycolysis pathway, which is the process cells use to break down glucose…
Elliptocytosis, also known as hereditary elliptocytosis, is a genetic blood disorder characterized by the presence of abnormally shaped red blood cells called elliptocytes or ovalocytes. These cells are elliptical or oval rather than the normal round, disc-like shape. The symptoms…
Hereditary spherocytosis is a genetic condition that affects the red blood cells, causing them to become abnormally shaped. Instead of the usual flexible, disc-like shape, these red blood cells take on a spherical form. This change in shape makes them…
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a genetic disorder that primarily affects red blood cells, leading to a range of complications mostly related to the destruction of these cells under certain stress conditions. The core complication of G6PD deficiency is **hemolytic…