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Blood Disorders Care Management

Millions of Americans are affected every year by numerous blood disorders. Winship’s team of hematology experts provides comprehensive blood disorder care management.

Managing Complex Blood Disorders

There are more than 1,000 blood disorders, many of which are inherited. These complex diseases frequently pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Patients needing blood disorder care management are therefore advised to work closely with their healthcare providers to manage their illness.

At Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, our goal is to get patients on a plan so they can get back to living a full life. Once a patient has been diagnosed with a blood disorder or cancer and received a treatment plan, they have the option to receive some of their follow-up care through telemedicine visits. Virtual telemedicine visits make it easier on the patient and give them access to Winship’s expertise in the comfort of their own home.

Types of Blood Disorders

Blood disorders affect millions of people every year. They can impact different parts of the bloodstream, including red and white blood cells, platelets, bone marrow and plasma proteins, preventing them from doing their job. There are both acute and chronic forms of blood disorders. Many blood and bleeding disorders are inherited, but they can also develop over time. This can be due to other diseases, certain medications or a nutritionally deficient diet.

There are more than 1,000 types of blood disorders.

  • Anemia. This occurs when your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body.
  • Platelet disorders. This includes excessive clotting and bleeding problems.
  • Esosinophilic disorders. These disorders involve problems with one type of white blood cell.
  • Blood Cancers. These include:
    • Leukemia — cancer in the white blood cells
    • Lymphoma — cancer in the lymphatic system
    • Myeloma — cancer in the plasma cells

Some of the types of blood disorders we treat at our clinics include:

  • Clotting disorders. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
  • Bleeding disorders. Hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease, platelet function defects and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)
  • Anemia. Cold agglutinin disease, hereditary spherocytosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thalassemia
  • Platelet disorders. Immune thrombocytopenia and other inherited thrombocytopenias such as MHY9-related disorders
  • Thrombotic microangiopathies. Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS1)

No matter what blood disorder you may have, Winship’s multidisciplinary team of hematology specialists will be able to accurately diagnose you and get you on a personalized care management plan as soon as possible.

Symptoms and Care for Blood Disorders

Signs and symptoms of blood disorders vary depending on the type. The same goes for treatment and care management options.

Anemia symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular heartbeat

Treatment depends on multiple factors, including how severe the anemia is. If it is minor, a folic acid supplement and a change in diet may be required. For more complicated anemias, regular blood transfusions may be needed. For patients with sickle cell disease, transfusions, targeted drug therapies and pain management are all part of the comprehensive care plan.

Bleeding disorder symptoms:

  • Bruising easily and bruises that don’t go away
  • Bleeding gums
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Unexplained and frequent nosebleeds

Bleeding disorders require a close relationship with your hematologist and care team. For patients with bleeding disorders, a routine surgery, the birth of a child or a mild injury could lead to severe consequences if not treated promptly.

The Bleeding Disorders Program at Winship delivers comprehensive care to patients with acquired and inherited bleeding disorders. Both the adult and pediatric bleeding disorders programs are part of the Hemophilia of Georgia Center for Bleeding & Clotting Disorders of Emory. Our compassionate approach to care means you receive individualized treatment and symptom management throughout each stage of life.

Clotting disorder symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Swelling or tenderness in the arms or legs
  • Extreme dizziness, headaches and vision changes

In most situations, treatment for clotting disorders requires anticoagulant therapy. These medicines, including heparin and warfarin, eliminate and prevent blood clots from forming to restore normal blood flow. Anticoagulants are often used prior to surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots. They are also used to treat established blood clots and may be used for as long as they are needed.

If you have any of the above symptoms or are concerned that you may have a blood disorder, make an appointment to see your doctor.