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October 2009
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Volume 2, Issue 4
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Created with the patients’ well-being in mind, Anemia Watch reflects NAAC's mission to raise awareness about anemia among consumers, patients, and the people who treat them. Together, we can improve the lives of people living with anemia.
More About NAAC The Flu, Bariatric Surgery, Drug Safety, and Bone Marrow Basics in this issue:
With growing concern surrounding the H1N1 virus infections, NAAC wants to help you prepare for winter weather with the article Controlling Anemia During an Intensifying Flu Season. We also feel it is important to highlight how thousands of patients can Avoid Anemia and Deficiencies After Bariatric Surgery, and discuss clinical trials, drug safety and drug-induced anemia.
It’s also the right time to "Marrow Your Focus" during National Marrow Awareness Month. Learn more about how blood cells are made by touring our Blood and Bone Marrow Basics Tutorial.
With growing concern about this year’s flu season due to the spread of the H1N1 virus, many patients may be curious if having anemia can put them at a higher risk for complications from the flu or if they should be receiving a vaccination. This article recommends some steps you can take to prepare for flu season if you have anemia and also describes the role chronic illnesses play in causing anemia and potentially leading to serious complications from a viral infection.
Despite its increasing popularity and considerable success, bariatric surgery does not come without important nutritional considerations. Many bariatric patients develop new or worsen preexisting iron and vitamin deficiencies, with some patients becoming anemic in the months and years following the procedure. This article discusses how nutritional deficiencies can develop and provides tips on how to avoid deficiencies and anemia following the procedure.
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Drug Safety and Clinical Trials
New drugs are an important part of today’s healthcare, making millions of peoples lives better every day. For over 90 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been responsible for protecting the public health, by ensuring that all new drugs – prescription and nonprescription – are safe and effective for patients. This article describes the FDA’s approval process which requires drug manufacturer to prove the safety and effectiveness of their drugs through many rounds of clinical trials before becoming widely available to patients.
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Clinical trials are an important part of furthering medical research and there are many clinical trials that take place in the United States every year. If you are a patient interested in learning about how clinical trials test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and treatments, visit the new Clinical Trials section. |
• What are clinical trials and why are they important in developing new drugs and treatments?
• Can doctors prescribe a drug to patients even if the FDA has not approved the drug for use in their condition?
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Anemia can be a consequence of nutritional deficiencies or chronic diseases, but it may also occur from the treatment of the disease itself. Several types of drugs have been reported to cause different forms of anemia, including aplastic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, and anemia caused by blood loss, chronic inflammation or suppression of red blood cell production. This article outlines a range of medications which can lead to these types of anemia so that you may be able to prevent or minimize drug-induced cases of anemia.
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Marrow Your Focus
November is National Marrow Awareness Month. Bone marrow, the spongy tissue in some bones, makes different types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A shortage of these blood cells can make you more susceptible to infections and may also cause anemia. For some people with certain types of anemias, blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and other diseases, a bone marrow transplant can be a possible cure. This month, learn more about bone marrow, blood diseases and how to become a bone marrow donor.
Our interactive patient education program explains the different types of blood cells, how they are made, and discusses some of the tests your doctor might order. |
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NAAC Announcements
Changes were recently made to the prescribing information for the drug Dexferrum®, an iron dextran injection used to treat iron deficiency anemia. The changes emphasize the warning about the risk of anaphylactic-type reactions and precautionary measures to mitigate the risk.
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) will host a free “HealthLine” conference call for patients titled Anemia: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Options on November 4, 2009 from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET. On the call, nephrologists Dr. Russell Silverman and Dr. Tejas Desai will discuss the definition of anemia, the signs and symptoms of anemia as they relates to chronic kidney disease patients, understanding medical tests and lab values used to diagnose anemia, and available treatment options for anemia.
November is American Diabetes Month. Throughout the month, the American Diabetes Association aims to bring greater awareness and attention to the seriousness of diabetes, the importance of proper diabetes control, and its potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.
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NAAC answers frequently asked patient questions about anemia. Enjoy these new additions, with More FAQs answered online.
Select Anemia FAQs Answered
• What are the symptoms of anemia?
• Will I always notice symptoms if I have anemia?
• What types of anemia does NAAC focus on?
• Can certain medications cause a person to become anemic?
• Is there anything I can do to prevent the anemia caused by heavy menstrual periods?
• What is the relationship between uterine fibroid tumors and anemia in women?
• What causes anemia during pregnancy?
• Can childbirth cause anemia? What is postpartum anemia?
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More Resources
Information Handouts - Educational sheets describing anemia caused by different conditions including: aging, cancer, diabetes, vitamin deficiency, chronic kidney disease and more
Frequently Asked Questions - Answers to patients' questions
Anemia Glossary - Definitions for medical terms about anemia
Feature Articles - Articles covering anemia-related information
Symptoms Quiz - Questionnaire to print and take to a physician
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PROFESSIONAL ARTICLE: 