Exceptional Blood Loss

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Acute blood loss anemia

Anemia is a lower than normal number of red blood cells in the blood, usually measured by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen. Patients with an exceptional loss of red blood cells from hemorrhage, hemolysis (the disruption of the integrity of the red cell membrane causing a release of hemoglobin) or aplasia (underdevelopment of the cells of tissue or an organ) are at risk for low oxygen levels resulting in a reduced ability to heal.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment works to boost oxygen levels and, according to a study reported in the 2003 annual report of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, provides a way to successfully treat patients who refuse a blood transfusion.