Anemia, Blood Clots & Blood Disorders

Blood disorders can keep your body from getting the oxygen it needs. Anemia means that your body lacks the normal number of healthy red blood cells. Common types are sickle cell anemia, pernicious anemia, aplastic anemia and hemolytic anemia. Anemia may also result from blood loss (e.g., a bleeding ulcer) or a diet low in iron-rich foods like meat. Blood clots are usually a good thing—your body forms clots (coagulation) to prevent blood loss from an injury. But if the clot breaks off and blocks a blood vessel, it can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. Blood-clotting disorders include hemophilia and thrombotic thrombocytopenia (TTP).