Purposes of plasma, red blood cells and platelets
Plasma is the fluid component of blood. This is where blood cells are bathed. This makes up more than half of the total volume of blood. Ninety three percent of plasma is made of water. It contains dissolved minerals and nutrients. These include platelets, hormones, glucose, carbon dioxide and proteins. One of its roles is to maintain osmotic pressure within the cells. It also helps the body to avoid infections and other problems of the blood. Red blood cells are important for the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Platelets are important components of the blood because they cause blood clotting. This is important to avoid loss of large volumes of blood. As they are exposed, the platelets are activated and they cause clotting (Anthea, 1993).
Causes of each disorder
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is a condition of the blood. It is whereby the body does not have healthy erythrocytes (also known as the red blood cells). The erythrocytes are responsible for the transportation of oxygen around the body. There are various types of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the condition whereby the numbers of red blood cells in the body are abnormally low. This occurs when there is lack of iron in the body (iron deficiency). This is the most common form. Iron may be obtained from certain food types and the body reuses it as the red blood cells age.
One of the common causes of the disease is the taking of foods poor in iron. This is the most common cause. Another possible cause is the situation whereby the body does not have the ability to absorb iron efficiently. This occurs even when one takes an iron-rich diet. Another cause is the long-term loss of blood through menstrual periods (in females). Adolescents may also get anemia since they grow too fast.
Sickle cell disease
This is the most common heritable blood disorder in the US. Most African-Americans have this disease and millions of Americans show the traits. People who are likely to develop this disease have ancestors who originated from Africa or India. Those from central and south America also have high chances of showing this trait. This disease has also shown prevalence in the Middle East and the Caribbean. The reason why this disease is prevalent in these areas of the world is that the characteristics of the disease-causing gene allow this to happen. It has the ability to make the erythrocytes resistant to malaria (Roach, 2005).
Offspring that possess this trait inherit it from their parents. At least one parent must have the sickle cell gene. Those individuals who have this trait are resistant to malaria. However, they do not develop the sickle cell disease themselves. They are only carriers and may pass down the disease to their offspring.
Thrombocytopenia
This is a condition of the blood. It is whereby there are a few platelets in the blood. It may be either acquired or congenital. Most victims, who are mainly the elderly, acquire it. However, in both cases, it leads to the reduction in the number of platelets in the bone marrow. One of the causes of the condition is the use of certain drugs. These drugs include heparin, histamine blockers, alcohol and quinine. It may also occur when the stem cells are injured. However, the common cause is marrow aplasia (Scaradavou, 2002).
Comparison of patient’s symptoms
Lily
The color of her skin was not normal and she only ate specific foods. The paleness of her skin is due to the lack of adequate iron in her red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia is also caused when one feeds on diets poor in iron. The type of food that Lily consumes is the most probable cause of her condition. Her mother has a small budget that forces them take foods that are not healthy and lack some of the vital minerals like iron.
Davon (sickle cell trait)
He is an African-American and bears the traits of sickle cell disease. Studies have shown that most African-Americans have the disease. Therefore, it is not a wonder that he shows the traits. His mother is also a carrier of the sickle cell trait. Genetics has it that if one parent has sickle cell trait, there is a 0.5 probability that the child will show the trait. He must be one of the children who inherited the disease.
Spencer (thrombocytopenia)
The symptoms of this condition include easy and excessive bruising and this is due to the low number of platelets in the body. When platelets are few in the body, clotting does not occur and simple bruises bleed for longer periods than usual and this is why he shows the symptoms.
How each will prevent the disease in the future
Lily should feed on food rich in iron in order to increase the levels of iron in the body. This could also include the use of iron supplements. Davon has sickle cell trait. In order to avoid getting children with sickle cell disease, he must have a partner who has two normal hemoglobin genes (Anthea, 1993). Spenser should diagnose the cause of his condition. If it is due to his history with drugs, then the offending agents should be eliminated. The use of corticosteroids may also help increase the number of platelets in his body.
References
Anthea, M. (1993). Human Biology and Health. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Roach, E. (2005). Sickle cell trait: Innocent until proven guilty. Arch. Neurol., 62(11), 1781-1782.
Scaradavou, A. (2002). HIV-related thrombocytopenia. Blood Reviews, 16(1), 73-76.