Hematopoiesis (hematopoiesis ) is the most important process in the human body. A number of problems that arise during the course of life can be associated with blood diseases. What, in fact, is what a physician of a certain narrow specialization - hematology - does.
Hematologist: what heals and what is his work
What does he do directly? It:
- The study of the cause and course of diseases of the circulatory system. A hematologist-doctor cannot prescribe treatment without an accompanying history.
- The study of blood pathologies. These can be hereditary or acquired diseases associated with ecology or oncology.
- Also, a hematologist is a doctor who develops methods for successfully introducing progressive drugs into the treatment process.
- Further prevention and the post-rehabilitation period of the patient depend on his testimony.
- Also, his collection of blood from the population is not complete without his “verdict”. That is, a hematologist is present at the points of delivery of donor material, where he takes a direct part in the process. He is responsible for the quality of the incoming blood and ensures that donors do not have diseases by conducting a detailed study of their analyzes.
Areas in contact with hematology
A hematologist is a specialist who is closely connected with other areas in medical practice. This is gynecology, oncology, surgery. There is such a profession as pediatric hematologist, it is closely related to pediatrics. In a word, all processes related to blood cannot do without such a doctor. People, whose life, unfortunately, is already inextricably linked with consultations and analyzes, no longer ask the question of who the hematologist is. Although practically there is not a single person who wouldn’t have donated his own blood for analysis at least once in his life, few have heard of such a medical profession. But surely everyone will agree that you need to know the basic life processes of your body well and constantly monitor your health.
Qualification indicators
Before starting to practice, observing patients and prescribing certain drugs and prescriptions to them, a good hematologist should have a considerable training period “behind him”. Firstly, this is a higher medical education, and secondly, he must thoroughly understand the main processes of hematopoiesis and the occurrence of various pathologies, have a complete understanding of radiation and general oncology courses. Also, the concepts of chemotherapy, bone marrow puncture, biopsy and other important aspects related to the study of the immune system should be available to him. A consultation with a hematologist should be a speech that is understandable to the patient, because not everyone will be able to comprehend medical terms, so any doctor’s specialization includes training in proper communication skills with the patient.
Medical appointment
The list of diseases of the circulatory system is extensive. First of all, the patient at the therapist is prescribed tests that can be used to judge the diagnosis. Also, according to their results, the specialist decides whether to send a person to a hematologist or not. No one immediately draws any conclusions and does not immediately make a diagnosis - a professional doctor carefully studies the patient’s problem. Unfortunately, not all clinics in small towns have such an expert on diseases as a hematologist - this is mainly the prerogative of regional medical institutions. Therefore, in the same rural area, the diagnosis and, accordingly, the treatment itself are sometimes delayed.
However, the specialist himself cannot accept the patient and qualitatively solve his problem without an appropriate medical history and indications for consultation. You should carefully prepare and collect a lot of accompanying documents provided by the therapist in order to avoid unnecessary fuss and trips to authorities.
Hematologist: what treats and for which diseases his consultation is needed
- Anemia - it can be multiple - aplastic, hemolytic, deficient in terms of iron and folic acid. A hematologist treats almost all diseases of the circulatory system and is well aware of their varieties.
- Oncological indications, suspicions of such diseases or those already available - leukemia, bone marrow disease, sarcoma, deformation of the lymph nodes.
- Hemophilia, diseases of the spleen and liver, that is, hepatitis.
The list of problems associated with blood is far from complete. To accurately determine your own condition, you must at least go to the doctor's office in the community and describe the symptoms and anxieties, if any.
What may be associated with the causes and pathologies of the violation of the process of "production" of blood
- Profuse sweating.
- General weakness.
- Continuous temperature, even after taking medications.
- Apathy and weakness in a child - this is unusual for them, unless there are other reasons. Pediatric hematologist is a separate specialist who solves the problem on the part of pediatrics.
- Crimson color of the skin without any dermatological indications.
- A doctor’s consultation is necessary for pregnant women or those planning a baby, as well as for residents of unfavorable areas in terms of radiation background.
- Chronic fatigue for no reason and headache.
- HIV carriers should be tested at the frequency indicated by the doctor.
- Also, analyzes of people who previously had hepatitis, spleen diseases and other chronic infections are subject to detailed consideration. A hematologist should learn all this by examining the patient’s medical records.
Blood tests before visiting a hematologist
In order for it to be examined in detail, the biomaterial should be taken at the polyclinic's collection point, and through the laboratory tests, the patient must have confirmed or disproved the presence of specific blood-related diseases. Then the results will be sent to the attending physician (therapist) to determine if the patient needs a hematologist consultation. In this case, patient complaints or already diagnosed viruses will be taken into account. The hematologist will also take this into account and, after his own research, will prescribe a course of treatment. What is included in the list of analyzes:
- General blood test - taken from the finger, familiar to everyone since childhood.
- RW, HIV, hepatitis (blood from a vein) - to exclude or determine the presence of such diseases. Pregnant women should be tested at least once every three months. And people registered with a hematologist - even more often.
- Urine tests - are done to determine the blood cells present there and study them.
- Puncture and biopsy - usually related to cancer.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and lymph node system, allowing you to monitor the condition of internal organs.
- Studies should also be carried out on high-precision diagnosis devices - MRI, X-ray.
- Also, tests are necessary as a result of a relapse of the disease.
Blood specialist appointment
Do not think that the office of such a specialist as a hematologist, where he receives patients referred to him, contains all the necessary equipment. Other doctors know all the technical details and possibilities, and special rooms are equipped for this. The hematologist can only listen to the patient’s complaints, visually and tactfully examine his lymph nodes, decipher the analyzes, conclusions and instructions of the general practitioner, draw preliminary conclusions and write directions for the relevant studies.
Also, the hematologist will write down recommendations in detail before passing the tests, in particular:
- Stop eating at least 12 hours before the procedure.
- Alcohol and tobacco directly affect the composition of the blood. A hematologist who treats diseases of the circulatory system, and therefore will see the molecular composition of the tests, recognizes it instantly if the patient has "consumed" - so there is no point in deceiving and it is better to take their delivery seriously.
- Warn about taking vitamin preparations or other.
- Reduce the amount of fluid consumed during the day.
Compliance with the rules before taking tests will help to more accurately determine the problem and prescribe effective treatment.
Hematology Efficiency Worldwide
As WHO studies show, violations in the blood composition of the inhabitants of the Earth are steadily growing and developing. There are many reasons for this: poor ecology, the spread of untreatable infections, low living standards and medical services in certain regions. Also, technological progress provides a stable predisposition to injuries, diseases and other physiological problems. Heredity also plays an important role. A hematologist is involved in the consequence of the above factors, which directly treats blood diseases and makes recommendations to help avoid irreversible consequences in the future. The international communication of specialists in this field helps to make discoveries, the use of which helps in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the hematopoietic apparatus.
The role of Russia in the global medical community
It is worth noting that domestic hematologists are one of the best representatives of this medical field in the world. And their colleagues from Asia, Africa and even Europe often come to consult with them. At the moment, Russia, like the whole progressing world, is looking for a vaccine against the Ebola virus. And a significant role in this work is assigned to hematologists who work closely with virologists.
Hematology as a hope for bone marrow transplantology
Donation is necessary - it is a fact. But the problem of collecting material lies in several factors other than the lack of willing to share their own health.
- Not enough blood specialists. A good hematologist today is a rarity.
- Lack of advanced equipment and transportation of materials to places where they are needed first of all.
- Lack of healthy donors. Many diseases of the "owners" of the material make transplantation impossible; rapid analyzes in this case cannot provide complete reliable information.
- The lack of proper attention of the authorities to the problem associated with the field of organ transplantation in principle. In particular, the spread of hematology centers is only in the capital and regional regions, villages and rural areas in this regard are not serviced almost in any way.
- Religious beliefs and problems of society itself. Perhaps this is the most common ignorance that inhibits medicine in general.
- The small number of blood and bone marrow banks, and the existence of already created ones, is called into question due to insufficient funding and the legislative base of some states.
Conclusion
Hematology is an important aspect of public health in all countries. Doctors who receive such specialization in educational institutions go there on their own desire. Their work is too important to accept as a means of their own existence. Regularly from the timely, and most importantly, the correct actions of hematologists, hundreds of people get the right to life, so it is difficult to overestimate the effect of the work of doctors in this area.
And in order to make your life as good as possible in terms of health and avoid problems in the future, you need to be puzzled by blood tests and, without delaying the matter, consult a nearest hematologist, even if you have to go to him to distant lands. Perhaps this will save the patient's life. Be healthy!