red blood cells

High Red Blood Cell Levels (Polycythemia) Types and Causes

Oxygen is vital for life but its circulation throughout the body is also crucial. Every cell in the body needs oxygen, which enters through the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream. It then has to be circulated throughout the body. Red blood cells (RBCs), also known as erythrocytes, are responsible for carrying gases >> Read More ...

Anemia Prevention with Foods and Supplements

Anemia is a common blood disorder involving the red blood cells. These are just one type of cell that makes up blood but is crucial for life as it carries oxygen throughout the body. There are several types of anemia but iron deficiency anemia is by far the most common. A large number of cases of iron deficiency anemia is >> Read More ...

What Do Iron Blood Test Results Mean?

When we hear of iron in food or supplements we immediately think of the blood. Indeed the blood and specifically red blood cells require iron for its development and function. But iron is also needed by a host of other cells for different processes that sustain life. Iron is also needed for metabolic activities, for immune >> Read More ...

Reasons for Common Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

We do not often pay much attention to the complexity of human blood but it is a lot more than just red fluid flowing through the blood vessels. Within blood is a host of different cells, carrier proteins, nutrients, gases, wastes and toxins. Blood is the medium through which all these different substances travel from one >> Read More ...

Neuroacanthocytosis

Red blood cells are disc shaped cells that carry oxygen in theĀ  blood. There are various disorders that can lead to an abnormal shape of these cells. The term acanthocytosis describes the presence of distorted red blood cells (acanthocytes) in the blood. The cells become denser and irregularly shaped with spiculated >> Read More ...

Sickle Cell Anemia (Sickled Red Blood Cells)

The red blood cells possess a protein known as hemoglobin that binds and transports oxygen from lungs to other body parts. Therefore, hemoglobin is critical for survival and normal body functioning. Any defect in the gene coding for this oxygen-carrier protein may disrupt all vital body functions and present a spectrum of >> Read More ...

Macrocytosis (Enlarged Red Blood Cells)

What is macrocytosis? Macrocytosis is the term for enlarged red blood cells. These blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, may be larger than normal for various reasons that affect its development. Therefore further investigations are necessary to identify the cause, as some of these causative factors can be very serious >> Read More ...

Human Cell Diagram, Parts, Pictures, Structure and Functions

The cell is the basic functional in a human meaning that it is a self-contained and fully operational living entity. Humans are multicellular organisms with various different types of cells that work together to sustain life. Other non-cellular components in the body include water, macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, >> Read More ...

Large Red Blood Cells (Megaloblastic Anemia)

Red blood cells (RBCs) or erythrocytes are small round cells that circulate in the blood stream and carry oxygen throughout the body. These cells measure about 6 to 8 micrometers (um) in diameter which is equivalent to 0.006 to 0.008 millimeters – too small to be seen by the naked eye. The cells are disc shaped with >> Read More ...

Red Blood Cell Destruction (Hemolytic Anemia)

The red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes) are important carriers of gas in the blood ensuring that oxygen reaches all tissues. These cells are constantly being produced and destroyed in the body. The balance ensures that there is a sufficient quantity of RBCs in the blood. The normal lifespan of a red blood cell is about >> Read More ...
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