Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) (pronounced: aw-toh-ih-MYOON he-muh-LIT-ik uh-NEE-mee-uh) is a rare, serious blood condition.
Etymology
The term "Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia" is derived from the following roots: "Auto" (Greek for self), "immune" (Latin for exempt), "Hemolytic" (Greek for blood + loosening), and "Anemia" (Greek for lack of blood).
Definition
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia is a group of disorders characterized by a malfunction of the immune system that produces autoantibodies, which attack red blood cells as if they were substances foreign to the body. This leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, a condition known as anemia, causing fatigue, weakness, and in severe cases, organ damage.
Types
There are two main types of AIHA: Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia and Cold agglutinin disease. The classification is based on the temperature at which the autoantibodies are most active.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of AIHA include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and an increased heart rate. More severe symptoms may include dark urine, jaundice, and chest pain.
Causes
AIHA can be caused by or occur with another disorder, such as lupus, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or it can occur alone. The exact cause of AIHA is unknown.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of AIHA typically involves blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), direct antiglobulin test (DAT), and a reticulocyte count.
Treatment
Treatment for AIHA may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, blood transfusions, and in severe cases, splenectomy.
See Also
- Hemolytic disease of the newborn
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
- Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Wikipedia's article - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
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