Blood doping – it refers to a malpractice and misuse of various drugs to increase the RBC count in the body. Thus indirectly increases the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. It is most common practice seen amongst athletes to increase their efficiency. But this process is very dangerous –
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It causes a medical disorder called polycythemia i.e. abnormal increase in RBC count.
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Viscosity of blood increases considerably which affects the blood flow to various organs of the body.
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It increases the risk of blood clotting inside the vessels itself thus causing thrombus formation or embolism.
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Can cause various other disorders also such as liver disorders, pituitary dysfunctions etc.
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Myocardial infarction, cerebral embolism, heart attack etc.
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Infections and allergic reactions.
