Are you an A+ or a B- student?
We're not talking about grades here, but rather blood types.
Many people are unaware of their blood type. Even if you are aware of your personality type, you may be unaware that it predisposes you to particular medical disorders.
Your blood type is a classification of the antigens in your blood, including the Rhesus, or Rh, factor.
Antigens are proteins found on red blood cells. Your blood will be classified as Type A, Type B, Type AB, or Type O based on the type of antigen. "When antigens come into contact with foreign substances to your body, such as some germs, they activate your immune system." If your donor's blood type does not match yours, the same reaction may occur after a blood transfusion. "In that situation, your blood cells may clump and cause potentially catastrophic problems," said Douglas Guggenheim, MD, a physician at the Abramson Cancer Center Cherry Hill.
The Rh factor is a molecule found on red blood cells as well. The + and - indicators adjacent to your blood type come into play here. If you have the Rh factor, you are Rh positive (+), and if you don't, you are Rh negative (-).
Whether you have the Rh factor or not is usually just a problem during pregnancy. This is because the Rh status of the mother and baby must match, else the mother's immune system may respond as though she is allergic to the infant. Severe incidences of Rh status mismatch can result in problems such as anemia or brain damage in the infant. It can even be lethal in the most extreme circumstances.
If you are pregnant and discover that your baby has a different Rh status, don’t panic. Fortunately, there are injections pregnant women can have to avoid this reaction.
Related: 10 Natural Ways to Lower High Blood Pressure
Your blood type is inherited from your parents. There are numerous possible combinations - just because your parents have the same blood type doesn't ensure you will. For example, parents who are both Type O will always pass on their blood type to their children. Parents who are both Type B can have a kid who is either Type O or Type B, and parents who are both Type A can have a child who is either Type O or A. A combination of Type A and Type B blood types can result in any blood type.
The majority of the time, blood typing is used to determine who you can safely donate or receive blood from. But your blood type may also put you at risk for certain medical conditions. Here are three ways your blood type and your health may be connected:
Because your heart pumps blood to the rest of your body, it may appear evident that your blood type is tied to your heart. However, your blood type may put you at greater risk for illnesses such as
heart attack and heart disease. This is because of the ABO gene, which is present in people with blood types A, B, or AB. Type O is the only blood type that lacks this gene.
If you carry the ABO gene and live in a polluted environment, you may be more likely to suffer a heart attack than people who do not have the gene.
What You Can Do If You're in Danger
Just because you have the ABO gene doesn't mean you'll always have cardiac problems. There are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Avoid heavily polluted regions and workout indoors.
- Consume fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and nuts to maintain a heart-healthy diet.
- Exercise on a regular basis.
- Smoking should be avoided.
- Regular physical exams are recommended to monitor your heart health and keep you and your doctor informed of any warning signs of heart problems.
2. Decreased Brain Function and Memory Loss
The ABO gene has been linked to brain function and memory loss. People with blood types A, B, and AB are up to 82 percent more likely than Type O to develop cognition and memory impairments, which can progress to dementia.
One possible explanation for this memory loss is that blood type can contribute to conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. These illnesses have the potential to produce cognitive impairment and dementia.
Blood type has also been linked to stroke, which can occur when blood flow to the brain is disturbed.
What You Can Do If You're in Danger
There are certain things you can do to maintain your cognitive function strong:
- Exercise on a regular basis.
- Avoid excessive tension.
- Attempt to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
- Consult your doctor on a frequent basis to detect early signs of dementia.
3. Carcinoma
There are numerous factors that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, and it can be difficult to know which ones to investigate more thoroughly than others. People with Type A blood, on the other hand, have been proven to have a higher risk of stomach cancer than those with other blood types.
The ABO gene may also have a role in an increased cancer risk. Other malignancies linked to this gene include lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, liver, and cervical cancers.This correlation has been studied for more than 60 years, and while research continues to show a correlation, there is no definitive explanation as to why the ABO gene may put you at a higher risk for some cancers.
What You Can Do if You’re at Risk
While you may not be able to change your blood type, there are ways to lower your risk of cancer:
- Eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry.
- Get regular exercise.
- Avoid smoking.
- Though there are no sure ways to prevent cancer, these actions can help lower your risk and keep you healthy.
How Does This Affect Your Health?
Your blood type is only one element that influences your risk of developing certain health problems. "While your blood type may increase your risk of certain illnesses, nothing is certain." Knowing how your blood type affects your health is a wonderful start, but it's also crucial to see your doctor for regular check-ups and live a healthy lifestyle," added Dr. Guggenheim.
