YOUR BODY'S MICROSCOPIC "TRUCKS'

When There Aren't Enough Cells

Sometimes there are fewer red blood cells than normal.  This is the condition  doctors call anemia. It may have different causes, including (1) a defect in the production or maturation of red blood cells, (2) an increase in their destruction, and (4) major bleeding. Anemia also results from chronic inflammation or tumors. 

Problems can result when there is either too much or too little iron in the blood.  Where there is too little iron, the red cells cannot mature normally. As a result, the cells will be smaller and paler than usual. In  many cases, treatment with iron corrects this defect. Sometimes the level of iron in the blood is too high. This can occur when damage cells rupture, releasing iron into the system.  Progressively, all the body's organs become poisoned.  The poisoning of the heart is particularly  serious. Patients suffering from this condition almost always succumb to chronic cardiac insufficiency.  

Many books would be needed to explain all the work that blood cells do in your body, but it is evident that their marvelous complexity, only partially described her, exalts the wisdom of the One who designed and created life.  Of the great and intelligent Creator, one of  his ancient worshipers said:  "By him we have life and move and exist." -Acts 17:28.

Next time: How Well Do You Know Your Children? -"What Happened to My Child?"

From the Awake! magazine