Signs Of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) seems like a scary mouthful of a disease, but it can actually be broken down into much simpler terms. Nocturnal is another word for night, paroxysmal means symptoms come on suddenly, and hemoglobinuria means you have blood in your urine. This is a common side effect of this disease, experienced by over sixty percent of patients diagnosed with PNH.While this genetic disease is rare, there are some key ways to detect it in a patient. This list will cover some of the most common signs a person may experience.

Pale Skin Or Jaundice

Patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria have red blood cells that lack a specific protein coating on their outermost layer. This allows the immune system to attack them, causing a low volume within the body. The individual usually goes on to develop anemia, which can cause many symptoms, like pale skin or pallor. In addition, there is sometimes a bone marrow failure. This is the area red blood cells are produced in, and the lack of production is part of what can lead to pale skin or jaundice.

When the red blood cells are destroyed, a substance called bilirubin is released. The liver is normally responsible for processing this, but when there are higher amounts, it becomes more difficult for the liver to handle. The buildup of bilirubin leads to the yellowing of the individual's skin or sclera of the eyes, also known as jaundice.

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