Hemolytic Anemia – Treatment for Curing it Fast and Effectively

Hemolytis is a disorder in which your red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. When this occurs, your body attempts to compensate by producing new red cells at a faster rate. If destruction exceeds production, the resulting disorder is called hemolytic anemia.

Hemolytic anemia may be hereditary, in which case it is present at birth or soon after­wards, or you may acquire it later in life. In the hereditary hemolytic anemias, hemolysis occurs because a specific component of your red blood cells is abnormal. Certain drugs can damage red cells and so produce hemolysis and hemolytic anemia. This occurs if you have inherited a specific type of abnormality that triggers anemia when you take a certain type of drug or develop special infections. Then your red blood cells become less able to protect themselves against the chemical reactions caused by the drug or the infection, and they are destroyed.

One type of acquired hemolytic anemia occurs when your body produces antibodies, or substances that normally protect you from infections, that attack the body’s own red blood cells. Hemolysis may also occur when your body produces antibodies against recently transfused red blood cells. Finally, red cells may also be destroyed after they are damaged by artificial heart valves, abnormal blood vessel walls, or toxins.

The disease is rarely fatal in any of its forms, though some forms of hemolytic anemia are difficult to treat.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of hemolytic anemia are paleness, fatigue, breathlessness, and palpitations, or heart fluttering, especially with exertion. In addition, your skin may become yellow, and your urine may contain blood pigment and so be darker than normal. If your red blood cells continue to be destroyed prematurely for many years, gallstones often result.

What should be done?

If you have the symptoms described, see your physician. You will probably be questioned about your symptoms, and the physician will probably arrange for a blood test.

What is the treatment?

The principal treatment for one type of hemolytic anemia, hereditary spherocytosis, is a splenectomy, an operation to remove the spleen. Most red blood cells are destroyed by the spleen as they wear out. Removing the spleen can considerably improve hemolytic anemia, but does not cure it.

Hemolytic anemia that is caused by drugs is treated by discontinuing the drugs. If the disease is caused by antibodies, your physician may prescribe various drugs.

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