Do you feel tired all the time? Does your skin seem paler than normal? Do you seem to often have symptoms of cold and flu-like chills and a sore back? Does your urine seem darker than normal and is it becoming harder to breathe? It may be time to talk to your doctor.
It is easy to brush off these symptoms as a temporary imbalance, or as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, but this could be a mistake. Each of these symptoms on their own do not really seem like much cause for concern, but as a whole, they could point to a serious condition called autoimmune hemolytic anemia. This is a condition where the lifespan of the red blood cells in your body are a lot shorter than normal.
Healthy red blood cells live for a few months. With this kind of anemia, though, this lifespan is shortened to a few days. This is a problem because the red blood cells perform a vital function in your body – they carry oxygen to where it is needed and remove carbon dioxide from the cells. When they are not healthy, your body is not properly oxygenated, and the carbon dioxide waste is not removed as efficiently as it should be. This is the main reason that this disorder makes you feel so tired all the time.
Am I At Risk of Developing this Disease?
About three people out of one hundred thousand develop this condition, so it is not extremely common, but is common enough to be taken seriously. According to research, around about twice as many women as men are affected. Having Crohn’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus, and Ulcerative Colitis increase your risk of developing the disease.
The disorder progresses as you get older and it is not possible to manage it without treatment.
In about half of the cases, no direct cause can be found for the disease.
How is the Disease Diagnosed?
The only way to diagnose this particular condition is to have blood tests done. These tests measure the number of red blood cells in the blood and check their longevity. The results will be confirmed by testing the urine.
What Treatment Options are There?
Treatment involves the use of steroids, blood transfusions and possibly the use of immunosuppressants. The treatment options depend on the severity of the disease and the actual symptoms experienced. At this point, the disease can be managed, but never fully cured. XpertDox is a good resource for finding specialists in treating your condition.
I Think I Have It, Now What?
Your best bet is to speak to your doctor about having the tests done as soon as possible. It would be helpful if you keep a symptom diary for a few days, so that your doctor knows exactly why you are concerned.
What if I Don’t Get Treatment?
Some people are not keen on the idea of taking steroids for the rest of their lives. This condition is not completely debilitating in its early stages, and it is not fatal initially. Some people might, therefore, feel that treatment is something that could be put off until later.
The problem with this viewpoint is that the disease is only going to cause more complications as you get older. Over time, it could lead to the development of autoimmune disorders, a general feeling of weakness and the enlargement of the spleen. While the symptoms may be manageable initially, this will change as the disease progresses. The longer the disease is left unmanaged, the more serious the complications are going to become.