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Plasma is the yellowish liquid which forms more than 50% of our body's blood volume. It contains water, nutrients (proteins, minerals, vitamins, sugar, etc.), hormones, waste products (urea, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, etc.) clotting proteins, antibodies and enzymes. Plasma serves a variety of functions, from maintaining a satisfactory blood pressure and body volume to supplying critical proteins for immunity and blood clotting. It also serves as a medium for the exchange of vital elements such as sodium and potassium, thus maintaining a proper balance in our body.
Plasma is most often used to treat severe bleeding disorders when there is a deficiency of single or multiple clotting factor(s) or when they are dysfunctional. Plasma is also needed in severe burns and during massive blood loss caused by major road traffic accidents.
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