hemólýsu

Hemólýsa is the breakdown of red blood cells. This process releases hemoglobin into the plasma. Hemolysis can occur under various physiological and pathological conditions. Physiologically, red blood cells have a lifespan of about 120 days, and old or damaged cells are naturally removed from circulation by macrophages, primarily in the spleen and liver. This controlled destruction is a normal process.

Pathological hemolysis, also known as hemolytic anemia, occurs when red blood cells are destroyed at a rate faster than they can be produced. This can be caused by a variety of factors. Intrinsic defects within the red blood cells themselves, such as inherited conditions like sickle cell anemia or thalassemia, can make them fragile and prone to premature destruction. Extrinsic factors can also lead to hemolysis. These include autoimmune disorders where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks red blood cells, infections that damage red blood cells, certain medications, or mechanical damage from artificial heart valves or microangiopathic hemolytic anemias.

The clinical manifestations of hemolysis can vary depending on the cause and severity. Symptoms may include fatigue, paleness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin from hemoglobin breakdown), dark urine, and an enlarged spleen. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests to assess red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, and the presence of indicators of hemolysis like elevated bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased haptoglobin. Treatment strategies depend on the underlying cause and may involve addressing infections, discontinuing offending medications, immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune causes, or blood transfusions in severe cases.