Hematology

As a branch of internal medicine, hematology deals with organ systems, specifically the blood. Doctors who engage in internal medicines are called internists or the doctors doctor because they are often consulted by other doctors to help them diagnose a particularly puzzling problem.

The internist may be a general practitioner or may specialize in sub-fields, including cardiology and hematology. The former deals with the heart and related diseases while the latter involves the study of blood-forming organs. An internist who sub-specializes in hematology may study the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of blood diseases.

What the Hematologist Does

The hematologist, or the person who works in hematology, may not only be responsible for treating blood diseases and research, but may also engage in the management of the hematology laboratory, where his work ranges from working at the microscope to viewing blood films and bone marrow slides, interpreting various hematology test results to care of in- and out-patients.

In addition, hematologists may also specialize further in the any of the following areas:

* Treatment of bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia
* Treatment of hematological malignancies, including lymphoma and leukemia
* Treatment of hemoglobinopathies
* Blood transfusion
* Work of a blood bank

Hematology Diseases and Blood Tests

The study of blood diseases represents the core of hematology. Hematologists identify the problem by using a variety of hematology blood tests or what is commonly known as blood work a clinical laboratory diagnostic blood testing to diagnose medical conditions.

Some of the most common blood tests used in hematology include:

* Autoimmune disease blood test
* Cancer detection blood testing
* Blood diseases testing
* Infectious disease blood test
* Liver disease blood test
* Environmental toxin blood testing
* Blood cholesterol test
* Kidney disease blood test

Any one or a combination of these methods will help determine diagnosis of a patient. After taking a blood sample from the patient, the hematologist will study this sample and identify any problems, if any.

The diseases that come under the scope of hematology include the following:

* Anemia a common blood disorder wherein the red blood cells are unable to produce adequate oxygen supplies to body tissues.
* Blood cholesterol this is an important attribute in deciding a persons risk of getting coronary heart disease.
* Lymphatic filariasis a debilitating blood disease transmitted through mosquitoes that is common throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Asia, the Pacific Islands and Africa.
* Hemochromatosis a hereditary blood disorder that causes body tissues to absorb and store too much iron.
* Hemophilia a genetic blood disease wherein the blood is unable to form a firm clot normally and quickly

There are various other diseases that are included in the study of hematology. Hematologists are frequently faced with a situation wherein their expertise in blood testing methods come into play as medical doctors specializing in other fields consult them on a particularly difficult case.