Mesothelioma Legal Advice

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are diseases that can be manifested in various degrees, from mild anemia to acute myelogenous leukemia. These conditions usually end up in severe health problems, one being anemia, and they can have a huge impact on someone’s life, even if the illness is progressive or not. MDS occurs and leads to anemia when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow produce cells that don’t mature properly, which can lead to low counts of healthy blood red blood cells, white bloods cells, or platelets in the bloodstream.

Thousands of Americans each year are affected by this condition and even though causes for this illness is pinpointed by researchers, however there is still no cure. Nonetheless, scientists are always working with health care providers to keep myelodysplastic anemia and other related illnesses from taking the lives of others.

What is Myelodysplastic Anemia?

When the bone marrow’s cells that are forming blood are stopped from producing new blood cells then myelodysplastic anemia can occur. This decrease in red blood cell production is an indication that too few red blood cells are present in the blood stream, which is the condition known as anemia. Red blood cells are solely responsible for delivering oxygen to the tissues in the human body, so for patients with severe myelodysplastic anemia, the condition can be very serious.

This disease can result in the decrease of the immune system defense seeing that there is a lowering in the white blood cell numbers. This form of anemia is connected to a common symptom, excessive bleeding due to the platelets in the system that are lowered.

There are some main differences between MDS and the heightened type of MDS that leads to anemia. In patient with MDS, the bone marrow is responsible for producing abnormal blood cells that don’t function in a proper manner. With myelodysplastic anemia, the marrow simply stops producing new blood cells altogether. The elderly also commonly have MDS, at the same time, myelodysplastic anemia commonly affects those who are younger.

What is Secondary Myelodysplastic Anemia?

The reasons healthy individuals who are affected by these types of illnesses are unknown by researchers but in some situations the reason for the development of MDS is environmental factors. Cases like these, the condition is known as secondary myelodysplastic anemia.

Secondary myelodysplastic anemia is when this damage to the bone marrow is caused by:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Cancer medications
• Exposure to toxic chemicals like benzene

Symptoms Associated With MDS Anemia

Symptoms associated with myelodysplastic anemia are similar to those of MDS and can often be linked with other illnesses since they’re so common. Among the symptoms that patients who have this illness can experience are:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness and exhaustion
• Pale skin
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Loss of appetite

Do you know someone who is living with myelodysplastic anemia that could potentially have been exposed to benzene? If so, please call us today to talk with a professional attorney who will help your loved ones with legal advice and guidance they are entitled to.