Hematologists in Kolkata

Hematologists in Kolkata deal with the pathology, physiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of blood-related diseases. They are experts in treating the blood disorders and malignancies, including types of hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma and sickle-cell anemia.

Hematology doctors in Kolkata may work in different settings, which include blood banks, pathology laboratories and private clinics. They are specialized in specific areas within the field of hematology, such as lymphatic organs and bone marrow and may diagnose blood count or platelet irregularities. They treat organs that are fed by blood cells, including the lymph nodes, spleen, lymphoid tissue and thymus.

As part of a patient care team, some of the best hematologists in Kolkata work closely with radiation oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists to help patients understand their diagnosis, develop personalised treatment plans, coordinate the aspects of care and provide surgical, immunotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic treatment.

When to see a Hematologist in Kolkata?

If you are diagnosed with a blood disorder, your doctor may refer you to a hematologist. The other hypercoagulable conditions also require patients to seek care from a hematologist.

Hypercoagulable Conditions

When the skin is cut or injured, the blood clots to close the opening. This is called coagulation, and this process is important because if the blood doesn’t clot quickly enough the patient may bleed out. Hypercoagulation occurs when the blood clots very easily. This can lead to clots even where there is no injury, inside of the blood vessel. As blood circulates, blood clots can be taken to any part of the body. If the blood clot flows from a larger vessel to a smaller one, the clot can fully block that vessel and lead to serious medical conditions such as:

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolisms occur when a blood clot blocks a major blood vessel in the lung. Blood clots in the lung can cause serious damage to the lung tissue and sometimes even cause a part of the lung to die.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis occur when a blood clot blocks off an artery in a part of the body other than the lungs, brain, or heart. DVT’s most commonly occur in the legs and can be very painful. In the most extreme cases, complete loss of the use of the limb may occur.

Cardiac Arrest

Also known as a heart attack, cardiac arrest occurs when a blood clot is stuck in a vessel leading into or out of the heart.

Stroke

Strokes happen when a blood clot cuts off the flow of blood in the brain. Some strokes may be minor with no lasting side effects, and some may result in brain damage that can affect vision, speech, movement, memory, and more.

Some patients may not have a blood disorder, but they still may have to visit a hematologist due to the risk of forming blood clots after specific types of surgeries. Frequently, patients who are undergoing hip replacement, the repair of a fractured hip, or a knee replacement, may seek care from a hematologist because they are restricted from movement for some time, which increases the risk of forming a blood clot.

For each of the above disorders, hematologists frequently prescribe blood thinners so that the risk of forming a blood clot is lessened.

Tests Performed by Kolkata Hematologists

Hematology tests help Hematologists in Kolkata diagnose the blood disorders such as anemia, infections, certain types of cancers of the blood and inflammatory diseases. One of the most common hematologic test is a complete blood count (CBC). This test includes red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin concentration (HB), hematocrit red blood cell volume (HCT), differential white blood count and red blood cell indices.

Other examples of hematologic tests include prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and international normalized ratio (INR). They help evaluate bleeding and clotting disorders and to monitor anticoagulation therapies.