If you are doing an internet search for a "hematologist near me," you likely suspect you have a blood disorder or have been diagnosed with one. Either way, you may experience anxity and questions that you are unsure where to start searching for answers. Educating yourself on blood disorders and what a hematologist does is the first step toward answering those questions and easing that anxiety.
A hematologist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating blood disorders. Hematologists usually focus on specific conditions or areas of their specialty. These specialists may work in hospitals, clinics, or even research labs. Each hematologist completes at least nine years of medical education, including three years of on-the-job training and possibly up to four years in a hematology subspecialty.
Blood disorders affect the blood's ability to function correctly in the body. They can be serious and impact your overall health. There are dozens of different blood disorders, and their causes are numerous, including genetic conditions, cancers, medications, lifestyle factors, and nutrient deficiencies.
Blood disorders can affect any component of the blood:
In addition to these three, a blood disorder can also affect plasma, the liquid portion of the blood.
There are numerous types of blood disorders. However, here are some of the more common:
Anemia is the most widespread of all blood disorders. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, more than 3 million Americans have some form of anemia. Red blood cells carry hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Anemia occurs when there is insufficient hemoglobin or red blood cells, or the red blood cells do not function properly. In addition to genetic factors, one can develop anemia for many reasons, with Iron deficiency being the most common cause.
These disorders make a person's blood clot too easily or abnormally. Blood clotting disorders can put people at risk for heart attack or stroke, especially if untreated. Blood clots can also increase a person's risk of losing a limb. Blood clotting disorders can either be genetic or acquired due to surgery, medication, trauma, or a medical condition.
Hemophilia is a platelet cell disorder where the blood does not clot, leading to excessive bleeding. It happens when the blood lacks the normal amount of clotting factors, the proteins that work with the platelets to form clots that stop and slow bleeding. Though usually an inherited disorder, people can develop acquired hemophilia in rare cases, which happens when autoantibodies attack clotting factors.
Three major types of blood cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, affect white blood cells in different ways. Leukemia occurs when mutations cause bone marrow to produce an excessive amount of abnormal white blood cells that do not function properly. On the other hand, lymphoma impacts the lymph system, starting in the infection-fighting cells known as lymphocytes. Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, where abnormal plasma cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy cells. Though the causes of these cancers are not entirely understood, they are believed to develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Symptoms of blood disorders can vary by type and patient, but here are some common symptoms to watch for:
Many people with severe blood disorders report an overall feeling of unwellness that they do not have an explanation for.
Patients experiencing the following symptoms should seek a medical evaluation, especially if they have a family history of blood disorders. People can talk to their primary care doctor for a referral to a hematologist or search the internet. People can type "hematologist near me" into the search bar to find hematologists in their area and find a significant amount of information on local providers. Be sure to check the websites of these local providers for their experience and qualifications. Patients should also read reviews, which can also be found online.
Those without a family history of any blood disorders may still be affected. Blood disorders are treatable, so do not wait to seek medical help. To learn more about blood disorders or how to find a hematologist near me, call our team today.
Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office.
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