Causes of anemia

Anemia Caused by Destruction of RBCs

Hemolytic ("hemo" means blood, "lytic" means destroying) anemia occurs when red blood cells are being destroyed prematurely. (Normally, the lifespan of RBCs is 120 days. In hemolytic anemia, they have a much shorter lifespan.) And the bone marrow (the soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes new blood cells) simply can't keep up with the body's demand for new cells. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, infections or certain medications - such as antibiotics or antiseizure medicines - are to blame.

In a condition known as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system mistakes RBCs for foreign invaders and begins destroying them. Other children inherit defects in the red blood cells that lead to anemia. Common forms of inherited hemolytic anemia include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

• Sickle cell anemia is a severe form of anemia found most commonly in people of African heritage, although it can affect those of Caucasian, Saudi Arabian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent. In this condition, the hemoglobin forms long rods when it gives up its oxygen, stretching red blood cells into abnormal sickle shapes. This leads to premature destruction of RBCs, chronically low levels of hemoglobin, and recurring episodes of pain, as well as problems that can affect virtually every other organ system in the body. About 1 out of every 625 African-American children is born with this form of anemia.
• Thalassemia, which usually affects people of Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent, is marked by abnormal and short-lived RBCs. Thalassemia major, also called Cooley's anemia, is a severe form of anemia in which RBCs are rapidly destroyed and iron is deposited in the skin and vital organs. Thalassemia minor involves only mild anemia and minimal red blood cell changes.
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency most commonly affects men of African heritage, although it has been found in many other groups of people. With this condition the RBCs either do not make enough of the enzyme G6PD or the enzyme that is produced is abnormal and doesn't work well. When someone born with this deficiency has an infection, takes certain medicines, or is exposed to specific substances, the body's RBCs suffer extra stress. Without adequate G6PD to protect them, many red blood cells are destroyed prematurely.
  

Anemia Caused by Blood Loss

Blood loss can also cause anemia - whether it's because of excessive bleeding due to injury, surgery, or a problem with the blood's clotting ability. Slower, long-term blood loss, such as intestinal bleeding from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can also cause anemia. Anemia sometimes results from heavy menstrual periods in teen girls and women. Any of these factors will also increase the body's need for iron because iron is needed to make new RBCs.

Anemia Caused by Inadequate Production of RBCs

Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow can't make enough RBCs. This can be due to a viral infection, or exposure to certain toxic chemicals, radiation, or medications (such as antibiotics, antiseizure drugs, or cancer treatments). Some childhood cancers can also cause aplastic anemia, as can certain chronic diseases that affect the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells.

High levels of hemoglobin and RBCs help fetal blood carry enough oxygen to developing babies in the relatively oxygen-poor environment in utero. Thus, infants are born with some protection from iron deficiency. After the child is born, more oxygen is available and the baby's hemoglobin level normally drops to a low point at about 2 months of age, a condition known as physiologic anemia of infancy. This temporary and expected drop in the blood count is considered normal and no treatment is required because the infant's body soon starts making red blood cells on its own.

Anemia also occurs when the body isn't able to produce enough healthy RBCs because of an iron deficiency. Iron is essential to hemoglobin production. Poor dietary iron intake (or excessive loss of iron from the body) can lead to iron deficiency anemia, the most common cause of anemia in children. Iron deficiency anemia can affect children at any age, but is most commonly seen in those younger than 2 years old.

Girls going through puberty also have a particularly high risk for iron deficiency anemia because of the onset of menstruation; the monthly blood loss increases the amount of iron they need to consume in their diets.

What is Anemia?

Anemia, one of the more common blood disorders, occurs when the level of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the body becomes too low. This can lead to health problems because RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body's tissues. anemia can cause a variety of complications, including fatigue and stress on bodily organs.

Anemia can be caused by many things, but the three main bodily mechanisms that produce it are:

• excessive destruction of RBCs
• blood loss
• inadequate production of RBCs

Among many other causes, anemia can result from inherited disorders, nutritional problems (such as an iron or vitamin deficiency), infections, some kinds of cancer, or exposure to a drug or toxin.

What is Cancer?

"Cancer" is an abnormal growth of cells anywhere in the body. It occurs when the genes in a cell allow it to split (make new cells) without control.
There are many kinds of cancer, because there are many kinds of cells in the body, and because there are many genes that control cell growth.
Some cancers form solid growths called tumors. Others, like cancers of the blood (leukemias) travel all over the body.
Cancers may harm the body in two ways. They may replace normal cells with cells that don't work properly, and they may kill normal cells.
Sometimes cancers stay put. Sometimes they spread to nearby organs. Sometimes they shed cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and travel to distant parts of the body.
The farther a cancer spreads, the harder it is to control. The distant spread of cancer, called "metastasis," is dangerous, because a number of vital organs may be harmed at once.
Many things may cause cancer by affecting the genes that control cell growth. The most common causes of cancer in Rhode Island are tobacco, unbalanced diets (diets with too much fat and red meat, and not enough fruits and vegetables), and too much sunlight. We can control many causes of cancer by making good choices in our everyday lives.
The National Cancer Institute has a book, Cancer Rates and Risks, which describes the major causes of cancer in the United States. The book refers to causes of cancer as "risk factors for cancer," because "risk" reminds us that getting cancer is "ify," not "certain," when we are exposed to things that may cause cancer.


Highlights
Rhode Island’s Cancer Burdenis a comprehensive report that includes cancer rates (incidence and mortality), trends, and disparities.
PDF Help Center

Waht is Aids

A serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Previous names for the virus include human T-lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III), lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), and AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV).[1][2]
Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breas milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The four major routes of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth (Vertical transmission). Screening of blood products for HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in the developed world.

Artificial Liver Support System

Is the only treatment for end-stage liver disease, but many patients die before receiving a transplant due to the severe shortage of donor organs. Researchers, therefore, have explored various liver assist technologies, or "artificial livers," to keep patients alive while waiting for a transplant.

San Diego, CA -- January 7, 2009 -- Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTI), a development stage company targeting liver disease, today announced patient enrollment has begun for a randomized, controlled, multi-center, Phase 2 clinical trial that will study the Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD) as a treatment for patients with Acute Liver Failure (ALF) under three protocols. The study is open for enrollment at seven U.S. sites, which will be expanded to 15 sites in the U.S. and Europe during the first half of 2009. Six patients have already been enrolled in the first protocol and four patients have been treated under the emergency use Expanded Access regulations.

Liver Biopsy

Liver biopsy is the undisputed best way to assess liver fibrosis or cirrhosis; however, it is an invasive procedure that can cause rare, but potentially life-threatening complications. Researchers have been seeking less invasive ways to diagnose liver disease, developing and testing clinical tools, like the Original European Liver Fibrosis Panel and transient elastography.

Liver Transplantation

Many clinicians are reluctant to use interferon-based therapy to treat chronic hepatitis C patients with decompensated cirrhosis (liver failure) due to the risk of severe adverse events. Such patients, however, may be in the most dire need of treatment as they await liver transplantation.
As reported at the Digestive Disease Week 2008 conference last month in San Diego, Alexandra Retana and John Wong performed a systemic review of prior studies looking at the risks and benefits of antiviral therapy for decompensated hepatitis C patients.

What is Liver

Liver is the most significant organ as it detoxifies biological waste and has regenerating capacity.The weight of the liver is 1.5 kgs. Even though, 1/2 of that weight of the liver is enough to carry out the bodily functions, the nature (God) has provided more amount of liver, depending upon its importance in the body. It has to withstand many brunts that are fall on it.
Functions of the liver:
1. Purification of the blood and storing.
2. Manufacture the bile juice.
3. Cholesterol levels management.
4. Storage of sugar, in the form of glucose and releasing it into the blood stream, for providing energy purposes.
5. Synthesizing important proteins like albumin and anticoagulants (chemicals making clotting of the blood in case of bleeding).
6. Detoxifying the drugs and chemicals that are harmful to the body.

FATTY LIVER DISEASE- NAFLD

NAFLD refers to a group of conditions where there is accumulation of excess fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. The most common form of NAFLD is a non serious condition called fatty liver. In fatty liver, fat accumulates in the liver cells. Although having fat in the liver is not normal, by itself it probably does not damage the liver. A small group of people with NAFLD may have a more serious condition named non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, fat accumulation is associated with liver cell inflammation and different degrees of scarring. NASH is a potentially serious condition that may lead to severe liver scarring and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs when the liver sustains substantial damage, and the liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue (see figure), which results in the inability of the liver to work properly. Some patients who develop cirrhosis may eventually require a liver transplant (surgery to remove the damaged liver and replace it with a “new” liver).

Liver Health care

You need to be more careful to take care of your liver health if you:
Eat fatty foods or have generally poor diet
Have poor digestive function
Need to lower your cholesterol level
Use oral contraceptives, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or other hormonal drugs
Drink alcohol on a regular basis
Are exposed to pesticides, solvents or other environmental pollutants
Are trying to reduce body fat.

Best Vitamin Supplements Guide: Herbs for Healthier Liver:
Milk Thistle
Dandelion
Turmeric

Causes of Liver Infection:
Infections with parasites often come from contaminated drinking water supplies in large cities.
High loads of unhealthy microorganism can also come from eating food that is prepare in poor hygiene conditions.
Food, especially meats that are not fresh or are preserved also contain higher bacteria load.

Feline Eye Care

A healthy cat’s eyes should be clear and bright and the area around the eyeball white.


Common Symptoms of Illness:
red inner eyelids
matter ‘stuck’ on the surface or in the corners of the eye
cloudiness within the eyeball
a dull eye surface
the ‘third eyelid’ coming across the eye
excessive tearing or unusual discharges
tear-stained fur around the eyes

Common Eye Conditions & Symptoms:


Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane that covers both the inner lining of the eyelid and the white of the eye. It may be caused by allergies or by bacterial, fungal or viral infections. In fact, recurrent or chronic conjunctivitis in cats is often the result of herpes viral infections which, just as in humans, can return - again and again. It can be contagious between cats, so keep an infected cat away from other cats. Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment is an OTC eye medication that veterinarians often dispense for upper respiratory problems in cats.

Eye Disease Consultants

Eye Disease Consultants, LLC is an ophthalmology practice located in Hartford, Connecticut. We offer consultative services in the fields of retinal and vitreo-retinal diseases, inflammatory eye diseases (uveitis) and corneal and ocular surface diseases. This website is intended to help people who wish to learn about these various conditions, their diagnosis, management and treatment. All diagnostic and therapeutic modalities described in this website are offered in our practice.

Corneas

Corneas - our windows on the world – are delicate, transparent tissues which are constantly exposed to potentially damaging environmental factors such as daylight, ultraviolet light and high levels of oxygen.
Normal corneas contain proteins that protect against the day to day stress of coping with these environmental stresses.
But around one in 40,000 people have Pax6 mutations which lead to them developing a condition called Aniridia, where the iris of the eye is missing.
As well as having no iris, most sufferers will develop some degree of corneal cloudyness which is called Aniridia-Related Keratopathy or ARK.

Glaucoma Eye disease

Glaucoma is an eye disease that involves damage to the optic nerve. This nerve sends visual signals to the brain, where they are processed into what you "see". No one knows exactly what causes glaucoma but pressure buildup in the eye is proven to be a major risk factor.
When pressure in the eye gets too high, the optic nerve can get damaged. This damage causes some signals from the eye not to reach the brain. The result is that you can't "see" everything your eye sees. This leads to a reduced visual field, and if not managed, may even lead to blindness.

Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases among older people.
* Glaucoma affects more than 325,000 Canadians and 67 million people worldwide.
* 6.6 million people worldwide are blind from this eye disease.
* It is the second leading cause of blindness in older North Americans.
* Glaucoma often has no symptoms until loss of vision occurs.
* Loss of vision from glaucoma is not reversible.
* The best way to protect yourself is with regular eye exams.
* Eye drops or surgery can control most cases of glaucoma.

Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes damages the normal circulation of the body. That is why diabetics have problems with the circulation to their legs, kidneys, heart, brain and eyes.

In the early stage of diabetic retinopathy called Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), Diabetes causes the blood vessels in the retina to leak and form deposits called exudates.

These leaky blood vessels create a complication called Macular Edema or retinal swelling, and are the most common cause of vision loss in diabetics. Macular Edema is diagnosed using fluorescein Angiography (FA) and Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT).

Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a method of high resolution digital imaging that allows clear cross sections of the retina and its layers to be directly observed, in much the same way as a CT scan allows us to observe high resolution images of other tissues and organs of your body.

Gum Disease may relate to Heart

Previous studies have found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal (gum) disease, but until recently no plausible cause had been suggested. Now studies indicate that the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque may cause blood clots. When blood clots escape into the bloodstream, there is a relation to increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.
People with periodontal disease (over one half the adult population) have an infection that causes chronic inflammation of the gums. Also, it is a path for these bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

Gum Disease Treatment

Scaling and root planing- removes plaque and calculus above and below the gum in order to promote reattachment of the gum tissue to the tooth. Surgery - eliminates the pocket and restores healthy bone tissue. Antibacterial treatment - if you have moderate or severe periodontitis, ATRIDOX can help destroy the bacteria that cause chronic adult periodontitis.

Gum Disease link to Sugar

Studies have found a link between gum problems and diabetes in older patients. These results are not shocking, considering gum disease is also linked to heart disease, and heart disease is, unfortunately, linked to diabetes.Research shows people with diabetes who have poor blood sugar control get gum disease more often and more severely and they lose more teeth than do people with good control.

People whose diabetes is well-controlled, however, have no more periodontal disease than those without.It's another good reason to see your dentist regularly.

Gum disease link to cancer risk

Gum disease, both in smokers and non-smokers, may be a warning sign of an increased risk of cancer.
Imperial College London researches found gum disease was linked to a higher chance of lung, kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers. Writing in Lancet Oncology, the team, who studied the health records of 50,000 men, said an immune system weakness may cause both illnesses.

The British Dental Association stressed the need for regular check-ups. The majority of Britons are said to suffer from some sort of gum disease, caused by a persistent bacterial infection, and the problem is more common in people who smoke. However, the latest research suggests that, even in those who have never smoked, the presence of gum disease means a bigger risk of cancer.

Preventing Gum Disease

Adults past the age of 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and Periodontal Diseases is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily, and regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
Other important factors affecting the health of your gums include:

Tobacco Usage
Diabetes
Stress
Clenching and grinding teeth
Medication
Poor nutrition

Blood Sugar

Blood sugar is a variable, like blood pressure and cholesterol, that is associated with deaths from heart disease and stroke, said Dr. Larry Deeb, the president for Medicine and Science at the American Diabetes Association. "All of those variables -- the lower the better," he said.
The good news is that diet and exercise counseling can work in reducing the risk, a study by Finnish researchers in the same journal issue found.

Checkup Tool for Diabetes

Insulin is not a cure for an auto-immune disease called type 1 diabetes. Every day, with every shot and every blood test, the hope and the goal is for a cure. Until that day, I am grateful for the tools that each have a place in managing this horrible disease. Insulin, Insulin pumps, glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, and alert dogs are all management tools. Science has proven that tighter control of blood sugar will help keep away the deadly effects of blindness, kidney disease, neuropathy, heart disease, amputations, and death.

Diabetes

Many doctors are reviewing conventional thinking about low blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.A study of diabetics with a high risk of heart disease known as ACCORD has found that lowering blood sugar levels to what is considered normal for healthy people proved deadly for some others.Older patients who underwent intensive therapy to reach that level had higher rates of death than a group of patients in the same study who were treated more conservatively.

Blood Sugar

ABC News talks about how gum-disease-causing bacteria and inflammation can cause gestational diabetes for pregnant women, which can cause multiple problems.

Gum disease can trigger an inflammatory response not only in the gums, but throughout the body. It’s possible that such inflammation may exacerbate any pregnancy-related impairment in blood sugar control, contributing to gestational diabetes in some women, the researchers speculate.

Hepatitis Gallstones

About 90% of gallstones cause no symptoms at all. If problems do occur, the chance of developing pain is about 2% per year for the first 10 years after stone formation. After 10 years, the chance for developing symptoms declines. On average, symptoms take about 8 years to develop. The reason for the decline in symptoms after 10 years is not known, although some doctors suggest that "younger," smaller stones may be more likely to cause symptoms than larger, older ones. Acalculous gallbladder disease will often present with similar symptoms to those of gallbladder stones.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B has a wide range of clinical presentations. It can be mild, without symptoms, or it may cause chronic hepatitis. In some cases, when infants and young children acquire hepatitis B, they are at high risk for chronic liver disease and liver failure. Transmission of hepatitis B virus occurs through blood and body fluid exposure such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or saliva. Infants may also develop the disease if they are born to a mother who has the virus. Infected children often spread the virus to other children if there is frequent contact (i.e., household contact) or a child has many scrapes or cuts. The following describes persons who are at risk for developing hepatitis B.

Lungs Hepatitis

It all began a couple of months ago. I went to a wedding and I had my share of excess of food and drinks (although I did not get drunk) and dancing too. I partied until 3:00 am and everything was OK until next day at around noon.

I thought it was just the excess food and alcohol so I though it will go away, but the discomfort did not go away and continued the following days. It was not pain. It was just discomfort on the chest area, something to do with the digestive system. I went on a simple diet, trying not to eat too much. After a week the discomfort went and came so I decided to go to the doctor.

Hepatitis E

In the mid-1990s, a group of scientists in the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) discovered a vaccine for hepatitis E virus. But the story does not end with their discovery. Nor did it begin when the same group, led by Robert Purcell, M.D., first began working on hepatitis E—a disease responsible for numerous epidemics in Central and Southeast Asia, North and West Africa, and in Mexico.
The story really began more than half a century ago—in one of the worst outbreaks of waterborne hepatitis, which struck New Delhi, India, in the winter of 1955–1956.

HIV Hepatitis

An unlicensed tattoo artist is being hunted by police after fears have been raised that he may have infected teenagers with HIV and hepatitis.
The man tattooed up to a dozen young people at a late night party in Llanelli, Dyfed in the U.K.
A Health Service spokesman said: “

Cirrhosis Hepatitis

Welcome to Cirrhosis Hepatitis! Alcoholism and Hepatitis C commonly cause Cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can be caused by the following :Alcoholic Liver Disease, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Hereditary Hemochromatosis, Wilson' Disease, Apha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency, Cardiac Cirrhosis, Galactosemia, Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV, Cystic Fibrosis, and Schistosomiasis.

Deaths from road accidents, cancer and heart disease are set to soar over the next 20 years as the developing world's populations get richer and live

Deaths from road accidents, cancer and heart disease are set to soar over the next 20 years as the developing world's populations get richer and live longer, according to a study out this week.
As low and middle-income economies grow by 2030, mortality rates from noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and road crashes due to increased car-ownership, will make up more than 30 percent of deaths worldwide, the World Health Organisation (WHO) found.

Colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is just as common among women as men. An estimated 148,610 new cases will be diagnosed in 2006 in the United States. Of these new cancer cases, 106,680 will be colon cancer and 41,930 rectal cancer. And an estimated 55,170 will die of the disease in 2006, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
In many cases colon cancer can be prevented. Colon cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. If the polyp is found early, doctors can remove it and stop colon cancer before it starts.

Pancreatic Cancer Care

According to Charles J. Yeo, MD, the Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, patients choose Jefferson for several reasons: the high volume of pancreatic and related surgeries performed, a highly skilled and experienced group of gastroenterologists, experienced clinical staff, cutting-edge research and a “patient-centric” approach to care delivery.

As Dr. Yeo explains, “For patients, there are no oncologic downsides to the mini-Whipple, but there are plenty of upsides, including preservation of the entire stomach and pylorus, a shorter hospital stay and fewer complications. We target a post-operative stay of less than one week and achieve this goal with most patients.”

Secondhand smoke is bad for your heart

Breathing secondhand smoke makes the platelets in your blood behave like those of a regular smoker. Even a short time in a smoky room causes your blood platelets to stick together. Secondhand smoke also damages the lining of your blood vessels. In your heart, these bad changes can cause a deadly heart attack.
Secondhand smoke changes how your heart, blood, and blood vessels work in many ways. Adults who breathe 5 hours of secondhand smoke daily have higher "bad" cholesterol that clogs arteries.

Lung Cancer

About Lung Cancer Disease, Classification of Lung Cancer, Sign and Symptoms of Lung Cancer, Causes and Risk factors of Lung Cancer, Pathophysiology of Lung Cancer, Tests for Diagnosis of Lung Cancer, Treatment of Lung Cancer, Alternative Therapy of Lung Cancer.

Disease/Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle Cell is a genetic disorder and comes in two forms: One where only half of the cells are mutated (carrying only one sickle cell gene), and then where all cells have the sickle cell trait (sickle cell Anemia, and carries two genes). Those with the sickle cell trait may not ever experience symptoms associated with sickle cell anemia, but will poses a resistance to Malaria.

Symptoms:
Full Blown Anemia: Pain in the joints, organ damage, susceptibility to infections.
[edit] Treatment
There is no cure for sickle cell anemia as it is a genetic disorder.