Hematology deals with blood and its generation in the bone marrow. It studies red and white blood cells, their proportions, and diseases caused by imbalances. Anemia and leukemia are two common conditions treated by hematologists, with different causes and treatment protocols. Blood tests are used to diagnose these conditions.
Hematology is the medical specialty that deals with blood and the generation of blood in the bone marrow. Hematology studies red and white blood cells, their relative proportions, and the overall health of the cells and diseases caused by imbalances between them, especially leukemia and anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to various parts of the body, and white blood cells fight infection. Both are necessary, but they must be in the body in the right proportions or the systems will break down.
Anemia is a shortage of red blood cells, a condition that can be caused by a number of different factors. Women of childbearing age are more likely to be anemic than anyone else because they lose red blood cells monthly during menstruation. Anemia caused by a lack of dietary iron is easily treated with iron supplements. Other types of anemia with less easily fixed causes can be more difficult to treat and potentially life threatening. Hematology diagnoses these conditions and prescribes appropriate treatments for them.
Leukemia is a condition in which the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells. These are typically abnormal white blood cells, and their numbers overwhelm the red blood cells, causing anemia and other dangerous symptoms. Hematology recognizes several types of leukemia, with different causes and treatment protocols.
Acute leukemia needs immediate treatment, as it is immediately life-threatening, however some forms of chronic leukemia can be seen without treatment until symptoms appear. Chemotherapy can do a lot for leukemia sufferers and is currently one of the main tools in a doctor’s leukemia toolbox. Bone marrow transplants, which are considerably more invasive, are another.
The symptoms of diseases that fall within the scope of hematology are very varied and easily confused with other diseases. However, a quick blood test for cell counts can quickly tell a hematologist whether or not a patient has a blood disorder.
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