“Blood cancer endangers an essential life force: your blood cells. These cells give you energy, help you fight infection, and keep you from bleeding too much. When faulty DNA causes your blood cells to become cancerous, the cancer puts all these important functions at risk. Fortunately, there are many effective and safe ways to treat blood cancer.

Blood cancer affects how your body produces all types of blood cells and how well those cells work. Most blood cancers start in your bone marrow; this is where most of your cells are produced and let into the bloodstream and mature into adult size cells. This is the soft, sponge-like material in the center of your bones. Your bone marrow makes stem cells that mature and become one of the following:  Red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body, White blood cells, which fight infection, Platelets, which control bleeding.

Blood cancer happens when something disrupts how your body makes blood cells. The cancer cells can’t do the jobs normal blood cells do. Instead, the abnormal blood cells multiply unchecked and overwhelm the normal ones.

Like any type of cancer, blood cancer is a serious diagnosis. But the good news is that more and more people are surviving blood cancer.”

Cleveland Clinic (Blood Cancer: Types, Symptoms & Treatment)

The six most common cancers—breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, melanoma and bladder—are solid cancers that account for almost 1 million new cases a year.  In 2023, roughly 2.0 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States. An estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, which makes it the most common cancer diagnosis. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis among men and the second most common diagnosis overall with 288,300 expected cases. Lung and bronchus cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis with an estimated 238,340 new cases.

Cancers that are not considered solid cancers are often lumped together in the category of blood cancers being:

Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma.

What are the functions of these different cells in the human body including the bone marrow and lymph fluids?

Blood and lymph are the two most important body fluids in the human body. Blood comprises plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Lymph is a colorless fluid that circulates inside the lymphatic vessels.

The body fluids and circulation of these body fluids are described below in complete detail.

• Blood: Blood regulate the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the body-through red blood cells RBC’s, contains immune cells that fight infection-through the white blood cells WBC’s, and Platelets for clotting.  The blood delivers nutrients and hormones.
• Bone marrow: Red bone marrow produces new blood cells and platelets, which help regulate clotting. Yellow bone marrow produces and stores fats that help build bone and cartilage.
• Lymph: Lymph fluids carry immune cells throughout the body, deliver bacteria to lymph nodes to be filtered out of the circulatory system, and return excess proteins to the blood supply.

The three main types of blood cancers are:

Multiple myeloma: This cancer develops in the bone marrow and affects plasma cells, which produce antibodies that attack infections and diseases. When plasma cells become cancerous, they may accumulate in the marrow and damage or weaken bone and cause pain. Cancerous plasma cells also produce faulty antibodies, which make it hard for the body to fight infections. multiple myeloma may be treated with targeted therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or a stem cell transplant.

Leukemia: This cancer of the blood cells usually starts in bone marrow and travels through the bloodstream. In leukemia, the bone marrow produces mutated cells and spreads them into the blood, where they grow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Leukemia comes in many forms, but the key diagnosis is determined by whether the disease is acute or chronic. Acute leukemias are fast-growing and may require aggressive treatments.

Lymphomas: These diseases affect the cells in the lymphatic system. In lymphomas, immune cells called lymphocytes grow out of control and collect in lymph nodes, the spleen, in other lymph tissues or in neighboring organs. There are dozens of types of lymphoma, but the disease is largely categorized as Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Immunotherapy may be used to treat some cases of Hodgkin lymphoma. Other lymphoma treatments include chemotherapy and surgery to remove affected lymph nodes.

“Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder. Sickle cells are rigid and crescent-shaped instead of flexible and round like healthy red blood cells. The abnormal sickle shape causes them to get stuck in small blood vessels, clogging blood flow and interfering with oxygen delivery.

Sickle cells tend to die early, resulting in a shortage of red blood cells. The disease can cause pain and other health issues, including sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder the United States, affecting around 100,000 people.”

New York Presbyterian (Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): Symptoms & Causes | NewYork-Presbyterian)

“Your body’s circulatory system consists of your heart and blood vessels. They use blood to bring your cells what they need and take away what they don’t.

Your heart pumps blood through the far-reaching, intricate network of arteries and veins. Your blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to your body’s muscles, tissues and organs. This network also removes waste and takes it to organs that can get rid of it.

People often refer to the circulatory system as the cardiovascular system. They are different names for the same system.

Day and night, even when asleep, your heart moves blood through your body in a circuit or like water pipes. If you follow the blood through your body, it moves from your heart into big highways for blood called arteries that deliver blood to your organs and tissues.

In your tissues, blood oxygen is exchanged for waste in tiny networks of blood vessels called capillaries. After leaving the tissues and organs, your blood returns to your heart through veins with more C02/less 02 and to the kidneys to toxics developed. The blood travels through your heart and lungs to get oxygenated again and repeat the process  just like to the kidneys with more 02 but takes wastes in the blood away=Co2 (the other wastes leave the body via urine). This happens thousands of times each day, with every beat of your heart=our engine to the body.

Your heart circulates about 2,000 gallons (more than 7,500 liters) of your blood every day.”

Cleveland Clinic (How Your Circulatory System Works)

“Blood is mostly fluid. But it also contains cells and proteins that make it (literally) thicker than water. The average adult male has about 5 liters (10.5 pints) of blood. Females have about 4 liters (8.5 pints). Blood makes up about 8% of your body weight:

• Plasma makes up about 55% of your blood.
• Red blood cells make up about 44% of your blood.
• White blood cells and platelets make up about 1% of your blood.”

Cleveland Clinic (Blood: What It Is & Function)

Recall that blood is a connective tissue. Like all connective tissues, it is made up of cellular elements and an extracellular matrix. The cellular elements—referred to as the formed elements—include red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and cell fragments called platelets. The extracellular matrix, called plasma, makes blood unique among connective tissues because it is fluid.

Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the cells in your body. Blood cells also fight infection and control bleeding.

Most blood cells are made in your bone marrow. They are constantly being made and replaced. How long a blood cell lasts before being replaced is called its lifespan.

Blood is viscous, with a viscosity approximately five times greater than water. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s thickness or resistance to flow, and is influenced by the presence of the plasma proteins and formed elements within the blood. The viscosity of blood has a dramatic impact on blood pressure and flow. Consider the difference in flow between water and honey. The more viscous honey would demonstrate a greater resistance to flow than the less viscous water. The same principle applies to blood.  Blood viscosity is inversely proportional to hydration; the more hydrated you are, the less viscous your blood becomes. In severely dehydrated individuals, blood can become excessively viscous sometimes resulting in infarction or other cardiovascular events.

The normal temperature of blood is slightly higher than normal body temperature—about 38 °C (or 100.4 °F), compared to 37 °C (or 98.6 °F) for an internal body temperature reading. Although the surface of a blood vessel is relatively smooth, blood experiences friction and resistance to its flow. This produces heat, accounting for the slightly higher temperature of blood.

The pH of blood averages about 7.4; however, it can range from 7.35 to 7.45 in a healthy person. Blood is therefore somewhat more basic (alkaline) on a chemical scale than pure water, which has a pH of 7.0. Blood contains numerous buffers that help to regulate pH.

Blood constitutes approximately 8 percent of adult body weight. Adult males typically average about 5-6 liters of blood, and females average 4–5 liters.

Your blood is made up of 4 parts: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

This information explains the different parts of your blood and their functions.

Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the cells in your body. Blood cells also fight infection and control bleeding.

Most blood cells are made in your bone marrow. They are constantly being made and replaced. How long a blood cell lasts before being replaced is called its lifespan.  This is why for example in cancers a bone marrow aspiration commonly used in checking for blood or other cancers  or bone marrow transplant used as a treatment for giving healthy hematopoietic stem cells into the diseased pt’s bone marrow to replace diseased blood cells and stimulate the production of healthy blood cells, effectively slowing down or stopping the cancer’s progression if the pt is a candidate.

Your blood is made up these 4 types of cells, lets review:

Parts of Your Blood

1-Red blood cells (erythrocytes)

Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to your tissues. They also bring carbon dioxide back to your lungs.

Red blood cells make up almost half of your blood. The lifespan of a red blood cell is around 120 days.

2-White blood cells (leukocytes)

White blood cells fight infection and are an important part of your immune system. They make up a very small part of your total blood (less than 1%).

There are 3 types of white blood cells: I granulocytes, II monocytes, & III lymphocytes. Each type has an important role.

• I There are 3 types of granulocytes: A.Neutrophils help fight bacterial and fungal infections. B. Basophils are part of your body’s immune response/responses to allergens. Basophils are implicated in multiple human diseases including autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, cancer and allergies and asthma. However, the contributions of basophils to the development of human disease states remain poorly defined. Their exact function isn’t well known.  C.Eosinophils their main action is to help fight infections caused by parasites.  A high number of eosinophils (eosinophilia) are often linked to a variety of disorders. A high eosinophil count may be due to: Adrenal gland deficiency. Also it could mean allergic disease, including hay fever.
• II Monocytes break down and remove foreign organisms and dying cells from your body. Main action against bacterial infection.  They have subsets no Types (too much for this topic).  Clevaland Clinic states “Monocytes are a type of white blood cell (leukocytes) that reside in your blood and tissues to find and destroy germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa) and eliminate infected cells. Monocytes call on other white blood cells to help treat injury and prevent infection.
• III Lymphocytes make up your immune system.  Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. They help your body’s immune system fight cancer and foreign viruses and bacteria. Your lymphocyte count can be taken during a normal blood test at your healthcare provider’s office. Lymphocyte levels vary depending on your age, race, sex, altitude and lifestyle.
  

Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in NYC states “White blood cells have a wide range of lifespans, from hours to years.”.

3-Platelets (thrombocytes)

Platelets are small parts of cells. Their main function is to control bleeding. They make up a very small part of your blood (less than 1%). The lifespan of platelets is about 9 to 12 days.

4-Plasma

Plasma is the pale-yellow liquid part of your blood that holds all of your blood cells. It makes up a little over half of your total blood. On average about 5-6 liters of blood, and females average 4–5 liters.

Plasma helps move water, nutrients, minerals, medications, and hormones throughout your body. It also carries waste products to your kidneys. Then your kidneys filter out the waste products from your blood. Plasma is made up of water, protein, lipids (fats). It carries water, fat-soluble nutrients, and other substances to and from the different organs.

Plasma is 92% water. Dissolved or suspended within this water is a mixture of substances, most of which are proteins. There are hundreds of substances dissolved in the plasma, although many of them are found only in very small quantities.

Approximately 7 percent make up of plasma is protein.

The three major groups of plasma proteins are as follows:

• Albumin is the most abundant of the plasma proteins. Manufactured by the liver, albumin molecules serve as binding proteins—transport vehicles for fatty acids and steroid hormones. Recall that lipids are hydrophobic; however, binding to albumin enables their transport in the watery plasma. Albumin is also the most significant contributor to the osmotic pressure of blood; that is, its presence holds water inside the blood vessels and draws water from the tissues, across blood vessel walls, and into the bloodstream. This in turn helps to maintain both blood volume and blood pressure. Albumin normally accounts for approximately 54 percent of the total plasma protein content, or 3.5–5.0 g/dL of blood.
• The second most common plasma proteins are the globulins. A heterogeneous group, there are three main subgroups known as alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. The alpha and beta globulins transport iron, lipids, and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K to the cells; like albumin, they also contribute to osmotic pressure. The gamma globulins are proteins involved in immunity and are better known as an antibodies or immunoglobulins. Unlike alpha and beta globulins, which are produced in the liver, immunoglobulins are produced by specialized leukocytes known as plasma cells. Globulins make up approximately 38 percent of the total plasma protein volume, or 1.0–1.5 g/dL of blood.
• The least abundant plasma protein is fibrinogen. Like albumin and the alpha and beta globulins, fibrinogen is produced by the liver. It is essential for blood clotting, a process described later in this chapter. Fibrinogen accounts for about 7 percent of the total plasma protein volume, or 0.2–0.45 g/dL of blood.

Other Plasma Solutes

In addition to proteins, plasma contains a wide variety of other substances. These include various electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium ions; dissolved gases, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen; various organic nutrients, such as vitamins, lipids, glucose, and amino acids; and metabolic wastes. All of these non-protein solutes combined contribute approximately 1 percent to the total volume of plasma.

Resources

Johns Hopkins Medicine
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/facts-about-blood
This website has facts about blood, blood cells, and blood cell count.

American Red Cross
www.redcrossblood.org
The American Red Cross offers a variety of information about the different parts of blood and what blood cells do.

• Function of Blood and Blood Cells: www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/news/article/function-of-blood-cells.html
• Facts About Red Blood Cells: www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/red-blood-cells.html
• Facts About White Blood Cells: www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/white-cells-and-granulocytes.html
• Facts About Platelets: www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/platelet-information.html
• Facts About Plasma: www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-information.html

Stanford Children’s Health
www.stanfordchildrens.org
Stanford Children’s Health offers a variety of information about the different parts of blood and what blood cells do.

• Function of Blood and Blood Cells: www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=overview-of-blood-and-blood-components-90-P02316
• Facts About Red Blood Cells: www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=what-are-red-blood-cells-160-34
• Facts About White Blood Cells: www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=what-are-white-blood-cells-160-35
• Facts About Platelets: www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=what-are-platelets-160-36
• Facts About Plasma: www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=what-is-plasma-160-37

“Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.”

U.S. Department of Labor (History of Labor Day | U.S. Department of Labor)

“The rise in opioid overdose deaths is shown in three waves, with a slight decrease from 2022 to 2023.

From 1999-2023, approximately 806,000 people died from an opioid overdose. This includes overdose deaths involving prescription and illegal opioids.2

This rise in opioid overdose deaths can be outlined in three distinct waves.

First wave

The first wave began with increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990s. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids (natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) increased starting around 19993 but have declined in recent years.1

Second wave

The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin.4 However, in recent years, heroin overdose deaths have been declining.1

Third wave

The third wave began in 2013, with substantial increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, particularly those involving illegally made fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (IMFs).567 IMFs have largely saturated the illegal drug supply. They are often found in powder form or pressed into counterfeit pills and can have other drugs mixed into them. More recently, non-opioid sedatives, such as xylazine, have been found mixed into IMFs.8 From 2022 to 2023, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids decreased approximately 2%.1

In the current landscape, many opioid overdose deaths also involve other drugs. In 2023, among a sub-set of jurisdictions, nearly 47% of drug overdose deaths involved both opioids and stimulants.”

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC (Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic | Overdose Prevention | CDC)

Opioid addiction remains one of the primary public health crises in the nation. In order to fight it, everyone needs to do their part. The medical community is taking steps to address the frequency with which they prescribe opioid-based pain medications. Law enforcement has stepped up their efforts to reduce the influx of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanyl. Unison Health has increased its capacity to treat substance abuse disorders through its Sub-Acute Detox facility and Recovery Housing.

PREVENT MISUSE IN THE FIRST PLACE:

One of the best ways to prevent you or the people around you from misusing opioids is to not have any around in the first place! If you’ve been prescribed opioid-based prescription pain medications in the past, check your medicine cabinet to make sure you don’t have any leftovers. Over half of all people with a history of opioid misuse report having gotten or stolen them from a friend or family member.

The best way to dispose of extra medications is through a program in your community. In the meantime, there are places throughout the greater Toledo area where you can deposit unwanted prescription medications safely and easily or check out what places are nearer to you in your county online.

Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Misuse:

According to the AMA, 45% of people who use heroin started with an addiction to prescription opioids. Because people usually receive their initial prescriptions from honest doctors trying to alleviate legitimate pain, some individuals labor under the misconception that these medications are safer than illegal drugs. The fact of the matter is that the potential for abuse and even addiction is very real, and addiction has been known to take hold after just one week of regular use.

For people who are concerned that their child, loved one or friend is misusing opioids, look for the signs. Mood swings or constant irritability may describe the majority of teenagers, but in their extreme form it could indicate a more serious problem. Losing a job or failing in school can also be a red flag, as can disappearing for long periods of time, stealing money or frequent flu-like symptoms. Of course, be on the lookout for more obvious signs such as puncture marks on the arms or excessively lethargic behavior.

Stage 3: Getting Help for People Fighting Opioid Addiction

The AMA also offers pointers on what to do when you’re dealing with someone contending with serious opioid misuse, including knowing the signs of an overdose. These may include:

• Slowed or no breathing
• Unconsciousness
• Confusion
• Nervousness
• Pinpoint pupils
• Clammy skin
• Fatigue
• Seizures

If someone you know is misusing opioids, it may be a good idea to keep Naloxone – Narcon (a narcotic antidote) on hand. Naloxone reverses the effects of opioids and can help preventing death from an overdose until healthcare professionals can arrive. Naloxone is available at a number of pharmacies throughout the U.S. without a prescription, and is recommend you confer with your doctor to see if Naloxone is right for your loved one.

“Hypernatremia is when there’s too much sodium and not enough water in your blood. Sodium is one of the electrolytes in your body, found mostly in your blood. It’s important for many body functions. However, when there’s too much, the imbalance can cause serious problems.

Doctors define hypernatremia as a sodium level of over 145 milliequivalents per liter of blood — a normal level is between 136 and 145 milliequivalents per liter.

It’s most likely to happen in babies or people who are older. Certain health conditions can make hypernatremia more likely. But it’s often a symptom of dehydration — if you don’t have enough water, your blood sodium levels can get too high.”

Web M.D. (Hypernatremia: Danger of Too Much Sodium in Your Blood)

Hypernatremia is when there’s too much sodium and not enough water in your blood. Sodium is one of the electrolytes in your body, found mostly in your blood. It’s important for many body functions. However, when there’s too much, the imbalance can cause serious problems.  Your body can’t function without sodium, but too much of it can cause problems.

Doctors define hypernatremia as a sodium level of over 145 milliequivalents per liter of blood — a normal level is between 136 and 145 milliequivalents per liter.

It’s most likely to happen in babies or people who are older. Certain health conditions can make hypernatremia more likely. But it’s often a symptom of dehydration — if you don’t have enough water, your blood sodium levels can get too high.

It’s also possible, but less likely, to get hypernatremia from taking in too much salt or having salt poisoning. But if you’re otherwise healthy, you don’t need to worry about getting hypernatremia from your diet, says Amanda Beaver, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Houston Methodist in Houston.

“If we just eat a bunch of sodium from food, it’s not going to necessarily cause us to develop hypernatremia, because our body tries to closely regulate the amount of sodium that’s in our blood,” Beaver says.

Here’s how it works: When there’s a change in the balance of sodium and water, your body senses it and gets rid of more or less sodium in your pee to get back to a normal level. If the amount of sodium in your blood is getting too high, it’ll trigger you to feel thirsty and drink more. Dehydration and hypernatremia can be more likely when you’re older because, in part, your sense of feeling thirsty can diminish with age.

Your body will also release hormones called aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). These cause your kidneys to hold onto more water. So, you’ll see your pee look darker and more concentrated if you aren’t drinking enough. Your body naturally will get rid of more sodium and less water to keep your levels in a normal range.

Even if you do get hypernatremia, most cases are mild and can be treated by taking in more fluids. If you start to get dehydrated and feel thirsty, you’re sensing a mild case of hypernatremia. You can treat it by drinking water or a sports drink that contains electrolytes. Moderate or severe cases need medical care.

Hypernatremia Risk Factors

Any condition or circumstance that causes you to lose water without losing sodium can raise your risk for hypernatremia. These include:

• Gastroenteritis
• Vomiting
• Long-term drainage from a tube in the nose (nasogastric drainage)
• Burns
• Sweating too much from exercise, fever, or heat
• Kidney problems
• Hyperglycemia
• Reduced thirst response

Treatment of Hypernatremia:

The treatment aims to restore the normal balance of fluid and sodium in your body. Your hypernatremia treatment will depend on what’s causing your high salt levels. It’s usually best to restore sodium balance by drinking fluids. If your hypernatremia is more than mild, your doctor may replace the fluids in your body using an IV. This will supply fluids directly into your bloodstream, balancing the amount of sodium that’s in your blood.

In most cases, hypernatremia can be fixed. But it’s important not to lower sodium levels too fast. However, your doctor will want to find out why you got hypernatremia to make sure there aren’t other problems that need to be treated to keep it from happening again.

Complications of Hypernatremia

One of the most severe complications of hypernatremia is a ruptured blood vessel in your brain. Called a subarachnoid or subdural hemorrhage, this kind of bleeding in your brain can cause permanent brain damage or death.

If doctors are able to detect and begin treating hypernatremia before it gets too severe, they can restore the balance of sodium and fluids in your body, preventing serious complications.