Hemolytic Anemia

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Hemolytic Anemia
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Hemolytic Anemia

• Hemolytic anemia is a disorder in which red
  blood cells are destroyed at a faster rate than
  they can be made again. The destruction of red
  blood cells is called as hemolysis.The basic
  function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to
  all parts of your body. If you have a lower
  amount of blood cells than normal, you have
  anemia.When you have anemia, your blood can not
  bring enough oxygen to all your tissues and
  organs. Without enough oxygen, your body cant
  work as well as it should.Hemolytic anemia can
  be either inherited or acquired
• Inherited hemolytic anemia occurs when parents
  transmits the gene for the condition on to their
  children.
• Acquired hemolytic anemia is not something you
  are born with. You develop the condition later.

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What causes hemolytic anemia?

• There are 2 main types of hemolytic anemia
  inherited and acquired. Various diseases,
  conditions, or factors can cause each type
• Inherited - With the inherited anemia type,
  parents give the genes for the condition on to
  their children. Two common causes of this type of
  anemia are sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
  These types of conditions make red blood cells
  that dont live as long as normal red blood
  cells.
• Acquired - With this kind of acquired anemia, you
  are not born with a certain condition. Your body
  makes normal red blood cells, but they are later
  destroyed.

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What causes hemolytic anemia?
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• This may happen because of
• Specific infections, which may be viral or
  bacterial
• Medications, like penicillin, anti-malarial
  medicines, sulfa medicines, or acetaminophen
• Blood cancers
• Autoimmune diseases, like lupus, rheumatoid
  arthritis, or ulcerative colitis
• Certain tumors
• An overactive spleen (hypersplenism)
• Mechanical heart valves that may damage red blood
  cells as they leave the heart
• A major reaction to a blood transfusion

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How is hemolytic anemia diagnosed?

• Your doctor may believe that you are suffering
  from hemolytic anemia based on your symptoms,
  your medical history, and a physical exam. Your
  doctor may also order the following
  testsComplete blood count (CBC) - This test
  measures many parts of your blood. 
• Other blood tests - If the CBC test shows that
  you have anemia, some of the other blood tests
  will be done. These can find out what type of
  anemia you have and how serious it is. 
• Urine test - This can examine for hemoglobin (a
  protein in red blood cells) and iron.
• Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy - This includes
  taking a small sample of bone marrow fluid
  (aspiration) or solid bone marrow tissue (called
  a core biopsy). The sample is generally taken
  from the hip bones. It is checked for the number,
  size, and maturity of blood cells or abnormal
  cells.

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What are the symptoms of hemolytic anemia?

• Each persons symptoms may vary. Symptoms of
  hemolytic anemia may include
• Not normal paleness or lack of color of the skin
• Yellowish skin, eyes, and mouth (jaundice)
• Dark-colored urine
• Fever
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Cant handle physical activity
• Enlarged spleen and liver

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What are the symptoms of hemolytic anemia?
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• Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
• Heart murmur
• The symptoms of hemolytic anemia may look like
  other blood conditions or health problems. Always
  visit your doctor to have a diagnosis.

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How is hemolytic anemia treated?

• Your doctor will create a treatment plan based
  on
• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• How sick you are
• The cause of the disease
• How well you take up some medicines, treatments,
  or therapies
• If you know that your condition is expected to
  get worse
• Your opinion or preference
• The treatment for hemolytic anemia will vary
  depending on the cause of the illness. Treatment
  may include
• Blood transfusions
• Corticosteroid medicines

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How is hemolytic anemia treated?
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• Treatment to strengthen your immune system (using
  intravenous immune globulin)
• Rituximab
• In more severe cases, the following treatments
  may be needed
• Surgery to remove the spleen
• Medicine to reduce the strength of your immune
  system (immunosuppressive therapy)

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