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Anemia Center - Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria Hematologist Doctors for Anemia

Type of Physician: Hematologist

What is a Hematologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine or Pathology; Hematologists treat diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands such as anemia, clotting disorders, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, leukemia, and lymphoma. They perform special types of transfusions and biopsy the bone marrow for analysis.

Specialty: Hematology

Common Name: Blood Doctor

Hematologist Doctors in Santa Maria *

Mid-County Hematology and Oncology
Donna L Walker
1201 E Ocean Ave
STE A
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 735-1155

Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center
Richard Ng
6501 Truxtun Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 322-2206

Santa Maria, California

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Anemia

What is anemia?

Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is less than normal. The normal level of hemoglobin is generally different in males and females. For men, anemia is typically defined as hemoglobin level of less than 13.5 gram/100ml and in women as hemoglobin of less than 12.0 gram/100ml. These definitions may vary slightly depending on the source and the laboratory reference used.

What causes anemia?

Any process that can disrupt the normal life span of a red blood cell may cause anemia. Normal life span of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.

Anemia is caused essentially through two basic pathways. Anemia is either caused:

  1. by a decrease in production of red blood cell or hemoglobin, or
  2. by a loss or destruction of blood.

As more common classifications of anemia (low hemoglobin) is based on the MCV, or the volume of individual red blood cells.

  1. If the MCV is low (less than 80), the anemia is categorized as microcytic anemia (low cell volume).
  2. If the MCV is in the normal range (80-100), it is called a normocytic anemia (normal cell volume).
  3. If the MCV is high, then it is called a macrocytic anemia (large cell volume).

Looking at each of the components of a complete blood count (CBC), especially the MCV, a physician can gather clues as what may be the most common reason for anemia.

Can not enough iron cause anemia?

Absolutely! This is because iron is major component of hemoglobin and essential for its proper function. Chronic blood loss due to any reason is the main cause of low iron level in the body as it depletes the body's iron stores to compensate for the ongoing loss of iron. Anemia that is due to l...

Recommended Reading Related to Anemia

Orthostatic Hypotension »

What is orthostatic hypotension?

When a person stands up from sitting or lying down, the body must work to adjust to that change in position. It is especially important for the body to push blood upward and supply the brain with oxygen. If the body fails to do this adequately, blood pressure falls, and a person may feel lightheaded or even pass out. Orthostatic hypotension is the term used to describe the fall in blood pressure when a person stands (orthostatic= upright posture of the body; hypo= less + tension=pressure).

Adequate blood supply to the body's organs depends upon three factors:

  1. a heart strong enough to pump,
  2. arteries and veins that are able to constrict or squeeze, and
  3. enough blood and fluid within the vessels.

When the body changes position, a variety of actions occur involving all parts of the cardiovascular system as well as the autonomic nervous system that helps regulat...

Emergency Contact for Santa Maria

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Santa Maria Hospitals *

Marian Medical Center
1400 E Church St
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805)739-3000

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
345 S Halcyon Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805)489-4261

Lompoc Valley Medical Center
508 E Hickory Ave
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805)737-3300

French Hospital Medical Center
1911 Johnson Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-5353

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
1010 Murray Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805)546-7600

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital
2050 Viborg Rd
Solvang, CA 93463
(805)688-6431

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