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Foundation expresses condolences to family and friends of Congressman Robert Matsui
01/03/2004 - The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, the world’s leading advocacy and information organization for families suffering from bone marrow failure diseases, expressed its deepest condolences to the family and friends of U.S. Representative Robert Matsui (D-CA), who died yesterday from complications resulting from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
“MDS can strike anyone at any given time in their lives,” explained Marilyn Baker, the Executive Director of the Foundation. “Every year, approximately 20,000 to 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with this bone marrow disorder. Thanks to advances in medical research and improved treatments, our Foundation is hopeful. However, in light of the demographic imperative, as our population ages, it is essential for additional federal government and National Institutes of Health funding to be put in place for continued research of treatments and the search for cures.”
Over the last decade, nearly half a million Americans have been struck by bone marrow failure disorders, including MDS, aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). In most cases the cause of the disease is unknown, but studies have shown that exposure to a variety of toxins, chemicals, medications, viruses, diseases, and pregnancy.
Symptoms can include severe bruising, heavy fatigue, uncontrollable bleeding, and susceptibility to infections. A simple blood test can alert doctors to the fact that there is a problem. Effective treatment options are available but aplastic anemia and the other bone marrow failure diseases still remain life threatening for many.
The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (www.aamds.org), which has supported patients, families, caregivers, health care providers, and researchers for more than 20 years, is playing a vital role in promoting research that leads to a cure. The Foundation is advocating before Congress, and the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies to raise greater awareness about these disorders and increase funding for research of treatments and the search for cures.
“Congressman Matsui was a champion for health, science and innovation,” stated Baker. “The families who comprise our Foundation hope that Congress honors his life by continuing his efforts to fight for cures of chronic diseases.”
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Anemia- types and symptoms
Source : Health Section Khalsa News Network
Publish Date : 2/24/2005
Anemia is a disorder of the blood and is defined as decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range. It may be caused by a decrease in red cell production, or blood loss. The major loss of this problem is that it can cause the onset of many other illnesses, besides fatigue, headache, weakness, dizziness, numbness of extremities - especially fingers and toes, drowsiness.
There are several different types of anemia. The most common types of anemia are: aplastic, iron deficiency, sickle cell and trauma related or blood loss anemia. Each type of anemia has it's own cause, so the signs, symptoms and treatments of various types will differ.
1. Aplastic anemia is caused by the destruction of the bone marrow by outside factors such as chemical agents, medical treatments or physical factors. These factors include arsenic, nitrogen, x-rays, chemotherapy and other sources of ionizing radiation. These outside factors will cause the bone marrow to slow or suppress the production of red blood cells.
Signs and symptoms of aplastic anemia are pallor of skin, fingernail beds and mucous membranes, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, increase heart rate and heart palpitations, chest pain, gastrointestinal disturbance, loss of libido and a consistent slight fever. Treatment for aplastic anemia will consist of replacement therapy to supplement the bone marrow's inability to produce red blood cells including vitamin B12, iron and folic acid in addition to altering the chemical agent that is causing the anemia. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be deemed necessary for immediate relief.
2. Iron deficiency anemia results when the body has a greater demand for iron, the building blocks of red blood cells, than what is stored or available. It is the most common type of anemia as is estimated to affect approximately 18 million people in the US. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by an inadequate iron intake, the body's inability to absorb iron from the diet, chronic blood loss, pregnancy or lactation or a combination of these factors.
The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include pale skin, fingernail beds and mucous membranes, fatigue, headache, weakness, dizziness, heart palpitations or heart rate fluctuations, tremors, numbness of extremities; especially fingers and toes, drowsiness, gastrointestinal disturbances, loss of libido and dry mouth. Treatment of iron deficiency anemia is proper diet, which includes an adequate amount of iron rich foods, in combination with an iron supplement.
3. Sickle cell anemia is a serious blood disorder and is characterized by the red blood cells taking a crescent or sickle shape. It is a hereditary chronic condition. It is caused by the presence of an abnormal type of hemoglobin in the red blood cells and is passed via genetic factors from parents to children.
The signs and symptoms of sickle cell vary from patient to patient depending upon the severity of the disorder. These signs and symptoms can be painful and often times life threatening. Sickle cell crisis, when the sickled or malformed cells interfere with oxygen transport, obstruct capillary blood flow and cause fever and sever pain in the joint and the abdomen, can occur with no warning and with unknown cause. Due to this, it is very important to have medial intervention immediately if/when sickle cell anemia is suspected.
Treatment of sickle cell anemia includes supplemental iron and blood transfusions in combination with supportive and genetic counseling. Currently, there is no standard treatment for sickle cell anemia, as well as no cure, but research continues in a quest to find a viable treatment for those who suffer. It occurs primarily in the African-American population but also has high occurrence rates in other Mediterranean and black populations.
4. Trauma related or blood loss anemia is anemia due to the body losing a large amount of red blood cells at one time, such as in a trauma where quantities of blood is lost through injury. The cause of blood loss anemia is due to the body's inability to transfer oxygen or nutrients to the organs without the presence of red blood cells. When a large amount of red blood cells are lost, the body will compensate by access any and all reserves of iron and nutrients in the body, causing anemia.
Signs and symptoms of blood loss anemia are similar to the Aplastic anemia along with evidence of blood loss either externally or internally. Treatment of blood loss anemia includes immediate measures to stop bleeding, both internally and externally, restoring blood volume with transfusion and fluids, taking precautionary measures to prevent the onset of shock and maintenance with iron supplements.
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