1. Erythropoietin, called EPO, has become a drug used illegally by some athletes. Which athletes use EPO, that is, in what kind of sports? What benefits are they hoping for? What part of a CBC would indicate that an athlete is taking EPO? Explain.
Blood doping is an illicit method of improving athletic performance by artificially boosting the blood's ability to bring more oxygen to muscles. In many cases, blood doping increases the amount of hemoglobin in the bloodstream. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. So increasing hemoglobin allows higher amounts of oxygen to reach and fuel an athlete's muscles. This can improve stamina and performance, particularly in long-distance events, such as running and cycling. Blood doping is banned by the International Olympic Committee and other sports organizations (webmd) By increasing the number of red blood cells, blood doping causes the blood to thicken. This thickening forces the heart to work harder than normal to pump blood throughout the body. As a result, blood doping raises the risk of:
• blood clot
• heart attack
• stroke
Blood doping via transfusion carries additional risks. Tainted blood can spread infectious diseases such as:
• HIV
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
Over time, repeated blood transfusions can cause a dangerous buildup of iron in the body. Improperly stored blood and improperly administered transfusions can cause acute lung injury and bacterial infection.
Blood transfusions also have potential side effects of:
•allergic reactions
•fever
• rashes or hives
The risks of EPO injections include:
• hyperkalemia (potentially dangerous elevation of plasma potassium levels in the body)
• high blood pressure
•mild flu-like symptoms
Athletes who use synthetic oxygen carriers have an increased risk of:
• heart disease
• stroke
• heart attack
•blood clot