Promoting the breakdown of red blood cells; a normal process, hectic and skillfully balanced, the term is usually applied to excess conditions or toxic substances that degrade the bonds between healthy red blood cells and their hemoglobin coat or cause the liver and spleen to hypercatabolize otherwise healthy erythrocytes.

	Enlarged Spleen The Condition "...Liver Diseases Cirrhosis (portal vein obstruction, portal hypertension) Sclerosing cholangitis Wilson's disease Biliary atresia Cystic fibrosis Hemolytic anemias Thalassemia Hemoglobinopathies Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia Immune hemolytic anemia Cancers Leukemia Lymphoma Hodgkin's disease Other..." Hemolytic Anemia The Condition "...Immune Hemolytic Anemia is an acquired hemolytic anemia in which a hemolytic response is caused by isoantibodies or autoantibodies produced on exposure to drugs, toxins, or other antigens..." Our Question about pressure or 'fullness' under lower left rib cage "Most of the hemolytic anemias can cause an enlarged spleen..." Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome The Condition "Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare condition characterized by destruction of red blood cells, damage to the lining of blood vessel walls, and, in severe cases, kidney failure..." Jaundice The Condition "...Hemolytic jaundice is caused by excessive disintegration of erythrocytes; it occurs in hemolytic and other types of anemia and in some infectious diseases such as malaria..." Orbital Cellulitis The Condition "...Other organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Beta hemolytic streptococci also may cause this condition..." Splenitis Related Topic "Inflammation of the spleen, caused by a variety of conditions ranging from exposure to hemolytic chemicals, systemic infections lodged in the spleen, even cancer..."

Last updated: May 10, 2007