Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder caused by an abnormality of hemoglobin. The disease is characterized by a chronic hemolytic anemia. The search for affordable and accessible medicines mainly from plants and having various modes of actions for managing SCD is a priority in Africa where the disease is endemic. The first chapter in this book reviews children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The authors also present their research that shows that clinically, children with SCD behave differently regarding their genetics. The second chapter gives an overview of the current progress in research in calcium handling in red blood cells of sickle cell disease patients, followed by an outlook into the potential use of blockers of the cation channels for therapy of SCD patients. The third chapter reviews and validates the pharmacological relevance of "Gardenia ternifolia" and sustains the use of this herbal medicine in the management of SCD in traditional medical systems. The fourth chapter reviews the search and the development of antisickling herbal drugs in Africa, where Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an endemic. The last chapter reviews SCD and its impact on sexual functioning as well as relationship dynamics. Conclusions support the importance of social support and its far-reaching impact into the coping mechanisms of patients with chronic illness as well as quality of life.

Developed specifically for student nurses and based on the author's over thirty years of teaching experience, Interpreting Arterial Blood Gases the Easy Way teaches students a step-by-step method for interpreting blood gases and helps them learn how to apply the interpretations. The booklet is divided into two parts. Part I teaches students to differentiate between acidic and alkaline states, identify respiratory or metabolic changes in blood gases, and recognize compensated, partially compensated, and uncompensated states. In Part II students apply what they have learned in order to recognize signs and symptoms of abnormal blood gases, identify appropriate interventions, and understand the meaning and significance of specific oxygenation levels. Clear and well-organized, the material features quizzes for self-evaluation, critical thinking questions, and tips that may assist with the National Council Licensure Examination. Knowledge of basic physiology and acid-base balance is recommended before using the booklet, but the information is also reviewed. Interpreting Arterial Blood Gases the Easy Way is an excellent choice for nursing programs. It can also be used in training respiratory therapists and emergency medical technicians.

Fanconi Anemia (FA), a rare genetic disease featuring excess cancer risk and chromosomal instability, has received growing interest after the discovery that one of the defective genes in FA is associated with high-impact diseases such as familial breast cancer and ovary cancers. A well-documented relationship has accumulated in several decades and up to recently, studies have linked FA with a redox imbalance (oxidative stress, OS) in FA cells. The toxicity mechanisms of crosslinking agents (mitomycin C and diepoxybutane) in FA cells, along with the roles of OS-related aldehydes and glutathione in FA and in other diseases, are critically discussed. Also discussed is the proinflammatory state in FA phenotype. Additionally, recent studies have discovered an impairment in the structure and function of mitochondria in FA cell lines, while mitochondrial dysfunction in FA patients has so far been an unexplored field warranting ad hoc investigations. This book provides the readers with up-to-date information and perspectives on Fanconi anemia and oxidative stress that may prompt further elucidation of this intriguing disease, along with working hypotheses in clinical research and patients' management.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a subtype of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) with varying clinical presentations, ranging from indolent disease to highly aggressive symptoms. MCL represents approximately 3-10% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and has increased in incidence over the past several decades. The majority of patients respond to initial therapy, but remission duration is typically short. This book discusses the clinical characteristics of mantle cell lymphoma, as well as its prevalence and examines several treatment options available.

Behcet's disease is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of unknown etiology involving multiple organs. Along with blindness, other bodily functions are greatly affected by this disease; conditions of the vascular, intestinal and central nervous systems are usually life threatening and require aggressive therapy. Recently, significant progress has been made in several areas of this disease. The introduction of biological agents (such as anti-TNF) have had a positive impact on the effectiveness of treatments. However, there are still a number of unmet needs in various fields of this disease. Despite this, there remains a number of unaddressed issues concerning the treatments of this disease. Several genes have been shown to be associated with this disease, in addition to HLA-B51. Abnormalities in several subsets of T helper cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease. Recent advances in the field of innate immunity have shed light on the new aspects of Behcet's disease; that is, this disease has both autoimmunity and autoinflammatory aspects. On the other hand, there are still controversies as to the diagnosis and treatment of recalcitrant manifestations of the disease. This publication highlights the most recent understanding of Behcet's disease and raises several unanswered questions in both basic to clinical treatment of this ailment. The contents of this book are primarily based on the most up-to-date results of research programs sponsored by the Japanese government as well as findings from Korean researchers. In particular, novel classification for neurological involvement (which has been discovered in Japan) led to the establishment of diagnostic criteria and treatment recommendation. Thus, this publication brings forth useful information for a variety of specialists who are involved in the management of this intractable disease.

This book discusses different aspects of neutropenia including drug-induced neutropenia, which is quite common, and neutropenia in chemotherapy-treated patients. The authors offer an all-encompassing approach to the pathobiology and treatment of neutropenic disorders. This book reviews current information concerning neutropenia. There have been significant advances in medicine; however, bacterial infections continue to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in patients with neutropenia particularly cancer patients who develop chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. In this setting, it is important to understand pathophysiology of neutropenia and have a logical approach in diagnosis and treatment of neutropenia. Gathering all this information in one book will be of immense benefit for healthcare workers including physicians, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses and this in turn will help them improve the care of their patients. It will also be of benefit for pharmacists as a source of clinical and pharmacological knowledge. For researchers undertaking research in the field of hemato-oncology or pharmacology, this will be a useful starting point for reviewing the literature. The editors have tried to allow information in book chapters to show different aspects and various view points on related issues.

Coagulopathy (also called clotting disorder and bleeding disorder) is a condition in which the blood's ability to clot (coagulate) is impaired. Acquired hemophilia is a rare disorder characterized by spontaneous bleeding in a patient with no previous personal or family hemorrhagic history. The first chapter explores the challenges associated with this disease, its unfamiliarity often causing a delay in diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. The second chapter focuses on lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in children, describing the epidemiology, etiology and clinical management. The third chapter reviews the pathogenesis, risk factors and treatment strategies of coagulopathy in patients with craniocerebral injury. The next article examines Vitamin B12 with its four cobalamin vitamers, which often play a role in coagulation. The next chapter starts with a description of the methodology of viscoelastic hemostatic assay, followed by a review of literature on the utilization of thrombelastography (TEG) or rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Finally, the role of TEG and ROTEM to monitor or guide prophylaxis/treatment of thromboembolic events and the limitations of using them to detect hypercoagulability and identify patients with increased risks for thromboembolic complications are discussed. The final chapter of this book focuses on the use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in patients who are not actively bleeding, critically questions these assumptions in the context of pre-procedural administration of FFP, and also examines why carrying out high quality trails in this area has been so problematic.

Decreased platelet counts can be due to a number of disease processes causing decreased platelet production, increased platelet destruction, or can be medication-induced. Health care providers have to differentiate inherited thrombocytopenias, primary immune thrombocytopenias (ITP), secondary immune thrombocytopenias, myelodysplastic syndromes with thrombocytopenia, bone marrow failure syndromes and non-immune thrombocytopenias. ITP is the most common cause of isolated thrombocytopenia. This book focuses on discussing ITP in adults; new treatment for ITP; thrombocytopenia during pregnancy; the different diagnosis of thrombocytopenia; heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; and thrombocytopenia in dengue.

"Hematology in Traditional Chinese Medicine Cardiology" instructs readers on the blood, complement and immune system from the western and Chinese medicine perspectives. The book focuses on the cardiovascular issues concerning blood and the immune system, provides laboratory values concerning blood and the cardiovascular system, and covers cardiovascular diseases from the Chinese medicine and western medicine perspectives. It compares the eight principles in traditional Chinese medicine with basic science perspectives in western medicine, analyzes laboratory blood testing for heart diseases, and discusses the use of blood results for diagnosing and monitoring.
Balances basic theories in Chinese medicine with basic medical sciences on blood, immune system and cardiovascular diseasesProvides laboratory tests and values necessary for the monitoring of blood quality, and other tests for monitoring cardiovascular diseases in integrative Chinese medicinePrepares the practitioner to sit for the Niambi Wellness Integrative anatomy and patho-physiology in cardiology final online exam

Authored by a Registered Dietitian and book 11 in a series of 12 on topics related to Chronic Kidney Disease Iron deficency anemia has affected millions with chronic illnesses including kidney disease. If you should have any chronic illness and you are looking to improve your anemia labs then you should look to read this book on anemia. It covers all of the types of anemia as well as the potential medical treatments. As with any chronic disease, anemia can often be difficult to understand but can be controlled with by using the proper tools. Use the tips and ideas in this book to lead to managing your anemia. Are you always feeling tired? Get the answers here.

Thrombophilias can be defined as a group of inherited or acquired disorders that increase the risk of developing thrombosis. Venous thromboembolism (VT) is considered a multifactorial disease produced by a sum of risk factors that predispose to the thrombotic event. This predisposition includes genetic and acquired defects. Thrombosis can occur in any section of the venous system, but commonly manifests as deep vein thrombosis of the leg and pulmonary embolism. Major complications of venous thrombosis are a disabling post-thrombotic syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and sudden death duo to a pulmonary embolism and therefore, it poses a burden on health economy. Venous thrombosis is a common clinical challenge for doctors of all disciplines, as it is a complex multicausal disease. This books discusses in further detail the many complications and risk factors caused by venous thrombosis.

Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of clonal haematological neoplasms characterised by proliferation of one or more cells of myeloid lineage. They are the result of acquired mutations in the progenitor cell leading to hyper proliferation or neoplastic expansion of more mature forms of myeloid cells. Cells retain their functional ability with some degree of defects and also lead to suppression of normal stem cells. The most common type of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) can broadly be classified into BCR ABL positive (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia) and BCR ABL negative Disorders (Polycythemia Vera PV, Essential Thrombocytosis ET and Primary Myelofibrosis PMF). There are other rare types which have relatively low incidence like chronic neutrophilic leukemia, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, systemic mastocytosis and myeloproliferative neoplasms unclassifiable. These are the indolent type of haematological malignancies associated with marrow hypercellularity and organomegaly, with gradual progression to myelofibrosis or transformation to acute leukemias. During the dormant course of the BCR ABL negative MPN, they are more prone to thrombo-hemorrhagic complications and the treatment strategy is directed mostly to prevent complications. The past decade; therapies for BCR ABL positive disease (CML) have been a milestone achievement in keeping the disease in remission for many years, preventing major complications and halting the progression of the disease. This book discusses the classification, diagnosis and treatment of myeloproliferative diseases and provides insight on the symptoms and risk factors involved in the diseases.

Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide and presents major public health and social challenges in areas of high incidence. The frequency of this disorder varies considerably with geographic locations and racial groups. Thalassemia refers to a group of inherited hemolytic anemia disorders that involve defects in the synthesis of hemoglobin - or -polypeptide chains. It leads to decreased hemoglobin production and hypochromic microcytic anemia associated with erythrocyte dysplasia and destruction. Homozygous -thalassemia (also known as thalassemia major, Cooley's anemia, or Mediterranean anemia) is associated with the most severe signs and symptoms. Thalassemia major (TM) is a life-threatening condition that commonly manifests during early infancy, after which progressive pallor, severe anemia, and failure to thrive are common. Children with TM often develop feeding problems, recurrent fever, bleeding tendencies (especially epistaxis), susceptibility to infection, pathologic fractures of long bones and vertebrae, endocrine abnormalities, splenomegaly, lack of sexual maturation, and growth retardation. This book discusses cures and treatments available for thalassemia, as well as the causes and the type of long-term health outcomes it may cause.

Plasmapheresis is a therapeutic tool used to treat a wide range of disease processes, and in which the priority aim is to ensure sufficient plasma exchange to reduce or eliminate symptoms resulting from the action of pathogenic elements vehiculised in the plasma. Scientific selective apheresis with principles of evidence-based medicine involves the application of one of the oldest therapeutic modalities (bleeding), widely used between the fourth century B.C. and the second industrial revolution. This book provides information on the use of plasmapheresis during pregnancy; therapeutic use of autologous plasma for the treatment of dry eye disease; and therapeutic plasma exchange in the neurological setting. It also discusses intravenous immunoglobulins. During the past decades intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have gained more and more popularity for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and conditions. This treatment is extensively used in immune deficits, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, Kawasaki's disease, for the prevention of infectious complications due to hypogammaglobulinaemia secondary to myeloma, chronic lymphatic leukaemia and post-bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, in Guillain-Barre syndrome, etc. IV-Ig is obtained from the plasma of healthy blood donors and contains normal, polyclonal, polyspecific immunoglobins (Ig), mostly consisting of intact IgG. These antibodies are directed against non-self-antigens, self-antigens (natural autoantibodies), and other antibodies (idiotypic antibodies). The administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is generally safe and well tolerated. However, the treatment of autoimmune disorders usually requires high dose therapy (1-2 g/kg) that may result in a greater frequency of side effects and adverse events. This book discusses several topics including the clinical application of intravenous immunoglobulins in autoimmune mediated ocular inflammatory diseases; complications of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy; clinical uses; and side effects.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters have become an important part of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism treatment and prevention. With the advent of retrievable filters a new era of IVC instrumentation has been initiated. This book will begin to review the history of IVC filtration, indications for permanent and temporary filter use and filter use in special populations such as the pregnant patient or those with upper extremity venous thrombosis. The authors also review the technical aspects of filter placement and retrieval and discuss immediate and long-term complications from IVC filters. The book will also continue to discuss how acute spinal cord injury provides risks for developing deep vein thrombosis; and discuss the efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants for venous thromboembolisms.

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder that is caused by deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (VWF), a plasma protein that mediates the initial adhesion of platelets at sites of vascular injury and also binds and stabilizes blood clotting factor VIII (FVIII) in the circulation. This book examines the need for more information on VWD prevalence and the relationship between low VWF levels of bleeding symptoms or risk and improving clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools.

EMPOWER YOURSELF! Whether you're a newly diagnosed myeloma patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. The only text to provide the doctor's and patient's views, 100 Questions & Answers About Myeloma, Third Edition gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. Written by a hematologist-oncologist specializing in myeloma treatment, and featuring "insider" advice from an actual patient, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease.

Anaemia, or lack of red blood cells, is common, and can be a symptom of a serious underlying disorder. It has a number of causes, and this book stresses that it's vital to find and treat these, rather than simply prescribing iron tablets. Iron tablets do have their place in treatment, but this is rarely the full answer and priority must be given to discovering the underlying cause.

This book presents topical research in the study of the types, treatments and health risks associated with hematomas. Topics discussed include the physiotherapeutic treatments of hematomas; cerebrospinal hematoma; infected hematomas; the etiology of pelvic hematomas; intracranial hematomas in pediatric patients; massive retroperitoneal hematoma following vaginal correction of vault prolapse and retropharyngeal hematomas.