Hemolytic anemia - a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow time to produce them. The process of destruction of red blood cells is called hemolysis.

The two types of hemolytic anemia

Congenital hemolytic anemia. This violation of the destruction of red blood cells occurs due to a defect in them. Hemolytic anemia of this type is inherited; these disorders include, for example, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. In these diseases, the body develops erythrocytes which survived significantly less healthy erythrocytes.

At some sickle cell red blood cells have a crescent shape - such cells live only 10-20 days, and the bone marrow does not have time fast enough to produce new red blood cells to replace them.

Hereditary spherocytosis - another reason congenital hemolytic anemia. This disorder affects the membrane of red blood cells, causing the red blood cells into a ball. The lifespan of the red blood cells is less than in normal erythrocytes. In hereditary elliptocytosis erythrocytes take an oval shape; they are less flexible than normal red blood cells, and live on less.

Acquired haemolytic anemia - the body produces healthy red blood cells, but later they are destroyed as a result of abnormal processes. Listed below are some of the causes of acquired hemolytic anemia:

• Infections, such as hepatitis B virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, E. coli, or streptococcus;
• Receiving drugs such as penicillin, antimalarial drugs, sulfa drugs, or acetaminophen;
• Leukemia or lymphoma;
• Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosus: how to recognize the disease , rheumatoid arthritis Arthritis - a variety of forms and complications , Aldrich syndrome - Wiskott, ulcerative colitis;
• Various tumor.

Some types of acquired hemolytic anemia are temporary and disappear within a few months.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of hemolytic anemia:

• Unusual pale skin;
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes;
• Dark-colored urine;
• Fever;
• Weakness;
• Dizziness;
• Confusion;
• Fatigue during physical activity;
• Enlarged liver and spleen;
• Increased often heart rate (tachycardia);
• Heart murmurs.

Diagnostics

Hemolytic anemia is usually discovered during a blood count Complete blood count how to understand why taking blood from a finger . In addition to the study of history and medical examination in the diagnosis of hemolytic anemia can be assigned to additional blood tests Blood tests: a mirror of health   and other diagnostic procedures, in particular for the assessment of the liver and spleen.

Treatment

Treatment for hemolytic anemia is assigned to the following factors:

• The patient's age, overall health, and medical history;
• The severity of the disease;
• Cause of the disease;
• The tolerability of specific drugs and therapeutic procedures;
• Expectations for the course of treatment;
• Patient preference.

For the treatment of hemolytic anemia can be used:

• Nutritional supplements with vitamins and minerals;
• Changes in the diet;
• Treatment of the underlying disease.

Forecast

The prognosis for patients with hemolytic anemia depends on the type and severity of the disease. In congenital hemolytic anemia patients may require treatment over a lifetime, but it can successfully control the disease. Acquisition of hemolytic anemia can be cured with proper treatment of the underlying disease causing it.

Platelets - it is the smallest of the three major types of blood cells. Their diameter is only 20% of the diameter of the red blood cells, the most abundant blood cells. A normal platelet count is considered 150 000-350 000 platelets per microliter of blood, but because of the small size, they represent only a small fraction of the volume of blood. The primary function of platelets is prevention of hemorrhage.

Red blood cells - the most numerous blood cells, which accounts for about 5 000 000 per microliter. They constitute about 40% of total blood volume; red red blood cells attached to the hemoglobin. Red blood cells normally look like round, biconcave disks.

White blood cells - the largest of the blood cells, but also the least numerous. Normally they only from 5000 to 10,000 per microliter. There are several different types of leukocytes White blood cells as the basis of immunity But they all are involved in dealing with potentially hazardous microorganisms and substances.

Development of platelet

Platelets are produced in the bone marrow - as well as erythrocytes and leukocytes. They are obtained from a very large bone marrow cells - megakaryocytes. When megakaryocytes develop into giant cells, they undergo a process of fragmentation, which leads to the release of more than 1,000 platelet megakaryocyte. The dominant hormone that controls the development of megakaryocytes, called thrombopoietin.

The structure of the platelets

Platelets - actually not in cells but simply circulating cell fragments. However, they contain structures that are crucial to stop the bleeding. On the surface of platelets have proteins that allow them to attach to breaks in blood vessels, and attached to each other. They contain granules that can secrete other proteins necessary to reliably close the lesions in blood vessels. Furthermore, platelets contain proteins, identical muscle proteins that allow them to change shape as needed.

Platelet function

Platelets not only from the smallest blood cells, but also the easiest. Therefore, they are forced out of the center of the blood flow in the blood vessel walls. Thus, they are moved along the surface of the vessel walls, which covers the inside layer of special cells - the endothelium. This very thin layer which, however, does not give any particles adhere or adhere thereto. If the endothelium is damaged. It platelets first to respond to injury. They attach themselves to the fibers which are behind the endothelium and prevents leakage of blood through the opening in the vessel wall.

Disorders of platelet function

The most common dysfunction of platelets can cause aspirin. It blocks one of the functions necessary to platelets can be secured to each other. This effect of aspirin making it effective in treating patients who have blood clotting, or thrombosis Thrombosis - the cause of heart attack and stroke . For example, patients who are taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack, immediately give aspirin. It prevents the connection of platelets and formation of blood clots that can block blood flow to the heart.

High levels of platelets

Certain diseases are relatively rare, leading to an excess of blood platelets; sometimes it rises to the level of one or two millions per microliter. It may be associated with an increased risk of blood clots, but many patients that the violation does not cause particular problems.

Low Platelet

Disorders, which are characterized by a low level of platelets, called the general term - thrombocytopenia. It can be caused by too slow blood platelet production, or too rapid destruction.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (IPT) - a disorder in which platelets are not only too fast break, but too slowly produced. The reason for this are the autoantibodies. Antibodies - proteins that the immune system The immune system - how it works?   normally produced within a defensive response to foreign matter or microorganisms. Autoantibodies occur when cells responsible for their production, receive inaccurate signals identifying healthy tissue as foreign and begin to produce antibodies Antibodies - "soldiers' immunity   to them. When the immune system takes IPT platelets for foreign cells and produces autoantibodies to them. Autoantibodies destroy platelets soon after their creation and slow down the production of new platelets in the bone marrow.