Types of Blood Transfusions
Blood is transfused either as whole blood (with all
its parts) or, more often, as individual parts. The type of blood transfusion
you need depends on your situation.
For example, if you have an illness that stops your
body from properly making a part of your blood, you may need only that part to
treat the illness.
Red Blood Cell Transfusions
Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused
part of the blood. These cells carry oxygen from the lungs to your body's
organs and tissues. They also help your body get rid of carbon dioxide and
other waste products. You may need a transfusion of red blood cells if you've
lost blood due to an injury or surgery.
You also may need this type of transfusion if you
have severe
anemia
(uh-NEE-me-eh) due to disease or blood loss. Anemia is a condition in which
your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells, or the red blood
cells don't have enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). Hemoglobinan
iron-rich protein that gives blood its red colorcarries oxygen from the
lungs to the rest of the body.
Platelets and Clotting Factor Transfusions
Platelets and clotting factors help stop bleeding,
including internal bleeding that you can't see. Some illnesses may cause your
body to not make enough platelets or other clotting factors. You may need
regular transfusions of these parts of your blood to stay healthy.
For example, if you have
hemophilia
(heem-o-FILL-ee-ah) A, you may need a special clotting factor to replace the
clotting factor you're lacking. Hemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding
disorder in which your blood doesn't clot normally.
If you have hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer
time than others after an injury or accident. You also may bleed internally,
especially in the joints (knees, ankles, and elbows).
Plasma Transfusions
Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. It's mainly
water, but also contains proteins, clotting factors, hormones, vitamins,
cholesterol, sugar, sodium, potassium, calcium, and more.
If you have been badly burned or have liver failure
or a severe infection, you may need a plasma transfusion. |