Hematologist - Who Is He And What Heals? Appointment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Hematologist

A hematologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats and prevents diseases of the blood and hematopoietic organs.

Hematology is a separate branch of medical science that specializes in the study of the features of the structure of blood and bone marrow, as well as various pathologies associated with them.

They do not give any pronounced symptoms of blood and bone marrow disease. However, it is necessary to come to a consultation with a specialist - a hematologist if a person notes appetite disorders and parallel sensations of tingling or numbness of the fingertips, pallor of the skin and the appearance of bruises without prior injury.

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Content:

• What does a hematologist treat?
• Hematologist's office: reception features
• Hematology: main sections
• When to see a hematologist?
• Hematologist for a child: when is a consultation needed?
• Hematologist appointment: preparation
• Appointment to a hematologist

What does a hematologist treat?

A hematologist is a physician who detects and treats blood pathologies. In addition, the duties of a doctor of this specialty include clarifying the etiology of the disease and selecting the most effective methods for their early detection, elimination and prevention. The prevalence of blood pathologies among the total mass of diseases is 8%. These are diseases such as:

• Lymphomas;
• Anemia;
• Lymphocytic leukemia;
• Myeloid leukemia;
• Multiple myeloma;
• Autoimmune thrombocytopenia;
• Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom.

Hematologist's office: reception features

Practically, like any other doctor, a hematologist begins a patient appointment with an examination and taking an anamnesis. When the circle of problems is outlined, the doctor will send the patient to undergo specific diagnostic techniques, and will also give recommendations regarding the delivery of the necessary tests. After the results are obtained, the hematologist will draw up the optimal treatment regimen.

A specialist in blood and bone marrow diseases most often sends his patients to the following examinations:

• Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs and lymph nodes;
• Biopsy and subsequent histological examination of the lymph nodes;
• Blood test by means of X-ray (specifics are determined by the doctor);
• Performing a coagulogram (studying the indicators of the blood coagulation system);
• Internal CT scan and bone scintigraphy;
• Sternal puncture including the study of the morphological structure of the bone marrow.

Do not be afraid that after visiting a hematologist, the patient will be hospitalized. Up to 80% of all patients are treated on an outpatient basis, however, in order for the therapy to be truly effective, it is necessary to make the most accurate diagnosis possible.

Hematology: main sections

This branch of medicine has its own subsections, including:

• General hematology. This subsection deals with the identification and treatment of anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia and other pathologies proceeding according to their type.
• Oncological hematology (oncohematology). This subsection includes two branches of medicine: oncology and hematology. The study and therapy in this subsection includes malignant processes of the hematopoietic system: acute leukemia, myeloproliferative diseases.
• Theoretical hematology. This industry is engaged in research on the processes of hematopoiesis, blood transfusion, and molecular genetics.

When to see a hematologist?

If you find the following symptoms, you need to go for a consultation with a hematologist:

• Unreasonable increase in body temperature.
• Weight loss.
• Strengthening the work of the sebaceous glands and the associated increased sweating.
• Pallor of the skin.
• Lack of appetite.
• Tingling and numbness in the fingers.
• Hematoma formation without prior trauma.
• Hyperemia of the skin of the face.
• Falling hemoglobin levels.
• Identification of formations on the neck, in the armpits and in the groin area, an increase in lymph nodes in size.

Hematologist for a child: when is a consultation needed?

Diseases of the blood and the hematopoietic system are often found precisely in childhood.

In order not to miss the onset of the disease, parents need to know the main symptoms to look out for:

• The appearance of nose and other bleeding.
• Severe pallor of the skin, sometimes it can be yellow.
• Bruising.
• Complaints of pain in joints, bones and spine.
• Pain in the abdomen and head.

If a child has pathologies of the hematopoietic system, he must be registered with a hematologist and visit him once every 7 days. At each visit, blood tests should be performed as necessary to optimally adjust therapy. In the Russian Federation, those children who have blood diseases remain under the control of hematologists until adulthood. In some other countries this age has been increased by three years.

Hematologist appointment: preparation

Since a diagnosis is impossible without a preliminary examination of the patient and without passing tests, you should adhere to the following rules before going to an appointment with a hematologist:

• At least 12 hours should elapse before the consultation and from the last meal.
• Do not drink alcohol or smoke the day before.
• Taking medications is prohibited. Of course, if there is an urgent need to take this or that remedy, you should not refuse therapy, however, you must inform the doctor about this.
• You should not drink a lot of fluids before going to the specialist (24 hours before the visit).

It is important to understand that diseases of the hematopoietic system can lead to serious consequences from the body. However, with a timely visit to a doctor, they, as a rule, can be successfully corrected.