Blood is essential for good health because the body depends on a steady supply of fuel and oxygen to reach its billions of cells. Blood also carries carbon dioxide and other waste materials to the lungs, kidneys, and digestive system; from there they are removed from the body. Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that is composed of a liquid called blood plasma and blood cells suspended within the plasma. Blood is made of four components include Plasma , red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Plasma is a mixture of water, sugar, fat, protein, and potassium and calcium salts. It also contains many chemicals.



It help form blood the clots necessary to stop bleeding. More than 92% of plasma is water. Red blood cells contain a special protein called hemoglobin, which carries the oxygen we inhale with our lungs to all of the parts of our bodies. It then returns carbon dioxide from our body to our lungs so we can exhale it. Hemoglobin is also responsible for making red blood cells red. White blood cells, or leukocytes, are cells of the immune system defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials. White blood cells produce proteins called antibodies that help our bodies fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and foreign proteins.

There are several types of white blood cells. One technique to classify them is looking for the presence of granules, which allows differentiation of cells into categories granulocyte agranulocytes. Platelets also called thrombocytes. Platelets are the cells that circulate in the blood that are involved in the cellular mechanisms of hemostasis primary leading to the formation of blood clots. Dysfunction or low levels of platelets predisposes to bleed, while high levels, although usually asymptomatic, may increase the risk of thrombosis. An anomaly or illness called a platelet thrombocytopathy.

Blood performs many important functions within the body, including the supply of oxygen to the tissues, the supply of nutrients such as glucose, amino acids and fatty acids, hydraulic functions, coagulation, which is a part of the body s self-repair mechanism and the elimination of waste such as carbon dioxide, urea and lactic acid. Blood also contains important proteins called clotting factors, which are crucial to the coagulation process. Blood type (blood) is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells. There are four types of blood in the ABO system: A, B, AB and O.

Transfusions of blood can help save lives. Blood is like the body 's transportation system busy making deliveries and pickups. Blood transfusions can be used to treat anemia or severe thrombocytopenia caused by a blood disease. As blood circulates throughout the body, it brings oxygen and nutrients to all the places they are needed. Blood also collects waste products, such as carbon dioxide, and transports them to the responsible body to ensure that the waste leaves the body. Before a blood transfusion is given, the blood must be cross-matched to ensure that it is compatible with your own blood.

This involves taking a sample of your blood to identify your blood group, and matching with the appropriate donor blood. Transfusions are usually given through an intravenous line, a small tube that is inserted into a vein with a small needle. The entire procedure usually takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of blood is needed. At the transfusion of blood is stored in small plastic bags. Each bag is called a unit of blood and is about a pint (half a litre). Impliquent usually giving transfusions 2-4 units depending on how you are anemic. Each unit is given over a period of 1-2 hours.

When the transfusion was finished the drip is removed and the cannula can be removed. Most people tolerate blood transfusions very well. But, like any medical procedure, there are some risks involved. These include fever, allergic reactions and hemolytic reactions. Fever to a blood transfusion, sometimes with chills, headache or nausea. Allergic reactions to blood transfusions occur as a result of a reaction between the beneficiary recipient's 'immune system. Hemolytic reaction can be life-threatening. It occurs when the patient 's blood and blood donations do not match. Attacking the system of red blood cells in donated blood and destroyed.