Graphic illustration depicting sickle cell disease, retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4579-sickle-cell-anemia In the United States alone, 100,000 individuals suffer from sickle cell anemia, more commonly known as sickle cell disease. Out of this population, around 90,000 are of African American Descent; it is hypothesized that the gene mutation responsible (HBB) was acquired due ot the environmental defense mechanism of fighting against malaria, m

Introduction We all live in hectic times and its natural to feel tired after a long day's work. But if youre feeling tired all the time - like after a good night's sleep or minimal work, then maybe there's an underlying condition that people often overlook - iron deficiency. People brush off fatigue as stress or blame it on a bad sleep the previous night. But the cause is probably hidden deeper in your blood. Iron deficiency is a very common issue all over the world; and fati

Introduction Many of us have occasionally felt very tired and achy, and perhaps thought that it could be due to iron deficiency. However, not many people would think that the symptoms they are experiencing could actually be caused by too much iron in their body. Over time, excess iron can build up in organs such as the liver, heart, and pancreas, which may lead to long-term complications, if left untreated. 1–3 What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis is a condition in which

I broke my toe recently and found myself with a huge bluish green bruise occupying the whole side of my leg. It was interesting to watch the myriad of colours that followed before the bruise disappeared. But it got me thinking - what causes this colour carousel and why does it happen exactly? What Exactly Is a Bruise? A bruise or ecchymosis happens when tiny blood vessels under the skin because of an impact or injury, aging skin and certain medications. The blood leaks into t

A scanning electron microscope of blood cells, By: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Introduction "Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders." (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2025, Overview section, para. 1). Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, and hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen. (CDC, 2025, Overview section, para. 1). In a person with sickle cell disease, the hemoglobin is abnormal which leads to red blood cells

What Platelet-Rich Plasma and How is it Made? Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a treatment that uses a person’s own blood to stimulate healing in tissues. Blood is made up of several parts, among them being platelets and plasma. Platelets are best known for their clotting ability, but they can also carry growth factors that support tissue repair. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. To perform a PRP injection, a provider will draw a vial of the patient’s blood and spi

Thalassemia – a type of anemia  Anemia is defined as a decrease in Red Blood Cells (RBCs)  counts below normal. Any significant decrease in RBCs, its essential components—hemoglobin or hematocrit—or any combination of these values fall under anemia. The reason for decreased hemoglobin or hematocrit does not matter, whether through iron deficiency, lead poisoning, thalassemia, kidney failure, cancer, or even something as straightforward as blood loss. As a result, common sympt

Pictured edited from canva Blood cancers are a group of malignancies that begin in the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. Unlike solid tumors, these cancers disrupt the production and function of normal blood cells, weakening the body’s ability to fight infection, transport oxygen, and regulate vital immune responses.   Types of Blood Cancer The three main categories are: Leukemia : Cancer of the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnorma

In today’s fast-moving world of medicine, it’s no surprise that laboratories are beginning to reshape the way we think about blood transfusions. One of the most exciting steps in this direction is the RESTORE study —a clinical trial that, for the first time, transfused red blood cells grown entirely in a lab into human volunteers. Unlike traditional transfusions, this experiment used cells generated from adult stem cells, creating a small but history-making “mini-transfusion.

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scientificanimations.com Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited group of blood disorders characterized by the abnormal hemoglobin...

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