Healthy RGV Issue 111- It's in Your Blood, What You Should Know About Hematology and Blood Disorders

COVER STORY · FEBRUARY 2018
IT’S IN
YOUR
BLOOD:
What You Should
Know About
Hematology and
Blood Disorders
Blood disorders affect one
of the main components of
blood – red blood cells, white
blood cells, and platelets.
Treating these disorders
is a key focus for me as
a hematologist. Some of
the most common blood
conditions to be treated by
a hematologist are anemia,
sickle cell disease, and
thrombosis.
If you ask my children what I do, they usually
say I’m an oncologist – a cancer specialist. It’s
true that I work for Texas Oncology and spend
many of my days with cancer patients. But
there’s another important side of our specialty
and practice – a side that impacts millions
of Americans every year. Patients with blood
disorders are treated by hematologists, and
many oncologists are also board-certified in
hematology. So even though you don’t have
cancer, you may be treated by a physician who
specializes in both cancer and blood disorders.
UNDERSTANDING THE
COMPONENTS OF BLOOD
Blood is living tissue made up of liquid and
solids. The liquid part is called plasma. The solid
part contains red blood cells, white blood cells,
and platelets. Blood cells constantly die and
the body makes new ones. Red blood cells live
about 120 days, platelets six days, and white
cells less than one day.
• Plasma: Plasma is made of water, salts, and
proteins. More than half of your blood is
plasma.
• Red Blood Cells: Red blood cells deliver
oxygen from your lungs to your tissues and
organs.
• White Blood Cells: White blood cells
fight infection and are part of your body’s
defense system.
• Platelets: Platelets help blood to clot.
• Bone Morrow: Bone marrow, the spongy
material inside your bones, makes new
blood cells.
14 HEALTHY MAGAZINE