Hemolytic Anemia Overview
Learn About Hemolytic Anemia
View Main Condition: Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues.
Normally, red blood cells last for about 120 days in the body. In people with hemolytic anemia, red blood cells in the blood are destroyed earlier than normal.
Anemia - hemolytic
The bone marrow is mostly responsible for making new red cells. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells.
Hemolytic anemia occurs when the bone marrow isn't making enough red cells to replace the ones that are being destroyed.
There are several possible causes of hemolytic anemia. Red blood cells may be destroyed due to:
- An autoimmune problem in which the immune system mistakenly sees your own red blood cells as foreign substances and destroys them
- Genetic variations within the red cells (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and G6PD deficiency)
- Exposure to certain chemicals, medicines, and toxins
- Infections
- Blood clots in small blood vessels
- Transfusion of blood from a donor with a blood type that does not match yours
- Faulty, damaged, or artificial heart valves
You may not have symptoms if the anemia is mild. If the problem develops slowly, the first symptoms may be:
- Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise
- Feelings that your heart is pounding or racing
- Headaches
- Problems concentrating or thinking
If the anemia gets worse, symptoms may include:
- Lightheadedness when you stand up
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Sore tongue
- Left upper abdominal pain due to an enlarged spleen
Treatment depends on the type and cause of the hemolytic anemia:
- In emergencies, a blood transfusion may be needed.
- For immune causes, medicines that suppress the immune system may be used.
- When blood cells are being destroyed at a fast pace, the body may need extra folic acid and iron supplements to replace what is being lost.
In rare cases, surgery is needed to take out the spleen. This is because the spleen acts as a filter that removes abnormal cells from the blood.
Genesis Primary Care Physicians, LLC
Shaina Schochat is an Internal Medicine provider in Zanesville, Ohio. Dr. Schochat and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. Her top areas of expertise are Hemolytic Anemia, Hemolytic Crisis, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, and Low Sodium Level. Dr. Schochat is currently accepting new patients.
United Hospital Center Inc
Paul Brager is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Dr. Brager and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Thrombocytopenia, Angiosarcoma, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Endoscopy. Dr. Brager is currently accepting new patients.
United Hospital Center Inc
Salman Osman is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Dr. Osman and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Ampullary Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Lynch Syndrome, Colorectal Cancer, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Osman is currently accepting new patients.
The outcome depends on the type and cause of hemolytic anemia. Severe anemia can make heart disease, lung disease, or cerebrovascular disease worse.
Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of hemolytic anemia.
Objectives: * To compare total opioid consumption from the time of presentation to the time of discharge from acute care setting in Standard versus VR arms. * To assess the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) technology in reducing pain at 60 minutes after the first IV medication administered or 60 minutes after completion VR during an acute vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell disease.
Summary: Despite the important work of previous sickle cell disease (SCD) cohort studies, there remain many understudied areas that require investigation. An important knowledge deficit is the slow but progressive process of chronic end-organ dysfunction. The majority of organ dysfunction becomes apparent in the young adult years, but comprehensive assessment of adults and understanding of predictors of ad...
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Michel M, Jäger U. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 47.