Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of blood diseases that affects new blood cells. This syndrome starts in the bone marrow where new blood cells are made. New blood cells are called immature cells or stem cells. With MDS, some immature cells do not grow into adult blood cells. Immature blood cells cannot live for very long in the body and they die. Over time, immature blood cells crowd out normal adult blood cells. This causes a low blood count.
The bone marrow produces red blood cells which carry oxygen, white blood cells which fight infection, and platelets which help stop bleeding. If you have too few red blood cells, your blood may not have enough oxygen, and you will feel tired. If you do not have enough white blood cells, you might get …show more content…
Follow the directions carefully. Do not start a new medicine unless your caregiver says it is okay.
• Ask your caregiver if it is okay to take aspirin. Aspirin can make bleeding more likely.
• Avoid dangerous activities to prevent bleeding. Ask your caregiver what activities are safe for you.
• Check with your caregiver before you have any minor surgery or dental procedure.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them. Make sure meat and eggs are well-cooked. Do not eat raw fish and shellfish.
• Wash your hands often. You can also use hand sanitizer. Stay away from people who are sick.
• Keep all your follow-up appointments.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You feel more tired than normal.
• You think you might have an infection.
• You have more bruising than usual.
• You have trouble catching your breath.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You have an infection that is getting worse.
• You have bleeding that you cannot stop.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You have chest pain.
• You have a fever.
ExitCare® Patient Information ©2012 ExitCare,
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of blood diseases that affects new blood cells. This syndrome starts in the bone marrow where new blood cells are made. New blood cells are called immature cells or stem cells. With MDS, some immature cells do not grow into adult blood cells. Immature blood cells cannot live for very long in the body and they die. Over time, immature blood cells crowd out normal adult blood cells. This causes a low blood count.
The bone marrow produces red blood cells which carry oxygen, white blood cells which fight infection, and platelets which help stop bleeding. If you have too few red blood cells, your blood may not have enough oxygen, and you will feel tired. If you do not have enough white blood cells, you might get …show more content…
Follow the directions carefully. Do not start a new medicine unless your caregiver says it is okay.
• Ask your caregiver if it is okay to take aspirin. Aspirin can make bleeding more likely.
• Avoid dangerous activities to prevent bleeding. Ask your caregiver what activities are safe for you.
• Check with your caregiver before you have any minor surgery or dental procedure.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them. Make sure meat and eggs are well-cooked. Do not eat raw fish and shellfish.
• Wash your hands often. You can also use hand sanitizer. Stay away from people who are sick.
• Keep all your follow-up appointments.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You feel more tired than normal.
• You think you might have an infection.
• You have more bruising than usual.
• You have trouble catching your breath.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You have an infection that is getting worse.
• You have bleeding that you cannot stop.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You have chest pain.
• You have a fever.
ExitCare® Patient Information ©2012 ExitCare,