Red blood cells normally live for 110 - 120 days. After that, they die and break down.
Some diseases and processes cause red blood cells to break down too early. The result is a lot fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen.
Conditions that can cause hemolysis include immune reactions, toxins and poisons, and treatments such as hemodialysis or the use of the heart-lung bypass machine.
References:
Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philladelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2005.
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.
Review Date: 2/26/2007
Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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