Rare diseases can occur almost anywhere in the world. Depending on the climate, genetics and the individual, these diseases can be mild or severe. Cold agglutinin disease is a rare type of autoimmune disorder that stems from hemolytic anemia.
Autoimmune diseases cause the immune system to attack the body by mistake. Although there is no harmful bacteria or viruses invading the body, the immune system will still send out fighter cells regardless of the situation. This is because an autoimmune disease makes it difficult for the body to understand which cells are foreign and which cells already belong to the individual.
Cold agglutinin disease is a disorder that signals the immune system to attack and destroy red blood cells. Like most other conditions caused by the autoimmune system, the symptoms can range from problematic to critical. This disease can cause an individual to feel dizzy or even experience heart failure. Approximately 1 in 300,000 people are diagnosed with cold agglutinin disease, though some may never even realize it depending on where they live.
What Kinds of Symptoms Are There?
The symptoms of this disease vary greatly. Mild symptoms may seem like the regular aging processes or a viral infection. Although certain symptoms may seem relatively harmless, if they continue for an extended period of time this may be cause for concern. What’s most interesting with cold agglutinin disease is that symptoms are caused or increased in severity by the temperature outside! People who are experiencing cold weather will find things much worse.
The symptoms that many people ignore tend to be common issues that can affect anyone. These symptoms can include fatigue and soreness. Aches and pains particularly in the joints is a common problem associated with cold agglutinin disease. Arms and legs may feel weak or even tingly.
Many people experience more pronounced symptoms. These can include feeling dizzy or mildly feverish. It is not uncommon for people with this condition to experience nausea and even vomiting. Diarrhea and other digestive conditions may occur on a regular basis. Cold hands are generally noticeable during the warmer months of the year and can be an indication of not only rare autoimmune diseases, but common ones like Hashimoto’s.
Severe symptoms can cause major health concerns. Depending on an individual’s medical history, these may require immediate attention. Pale or yellow skin should be examined by a trained medical professional. Other severe symptoms can include irregular heartbeat and chest pain. Ringing in the ears is also a potential sign of this disorder.
Cold Agglutinin Disease Causes
There are multiple autoimmune diseases that can affect both men and women. Most autoimmune diseases can be caused by a number of factors that may or may not be related. In general, women are more likely to get autoimmune diseases and are increasingly susceptible during childbearing years. Rare autoimmune diseases may be difficult to pinpoint because of a lack of data.
Cold agglutinin disease causes antibodies to attach to red blood cells instead of viruses or bacteria. When the red blood cells are eliminated, the body becomes anemic causing dizziness and fatigue. Once cold agglutinin disease occurs, hemolysis is caused by active autoantibodies that are exposed to cold temperatures. This type of disease does not usually peak with other health conditions.
It primarily happens by itself, but can be triggered a variety of health conditions including:
Bacterial infections
- Parasitic infections
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Lymphoma
- AIDS
- Hepatitis C
The cause for this type of autoimmune disorder is not always easily diagnosable. Many physicians will rule out other potential conditions before coming to the conclusion that an individual has cold agglutinin disease. In part, this is due to the scarcity of the disorder.
Treatment Information
Treatment options depend on the particular case. Mild symptoms may be handled on an outpatient basis or may not need immediate medical attention. Severe symptoms can require medical treatment or a blood transfusion.
If the blood count is extremely low, a physician may need to filter an individual’s blood. This is effective when getting rid of the problematic antibodies. This process is called plasmapheresis and is considered a short-term treatment that provides temporary relief. Medication for severe anemia is available and will target specific immune cells.
For mild symptoms, treatment can consist of environmental factors. Staying out of cold weather will almost assuredly be recommended as well as medications.
A proper diagnosis of the disorder is found through conducting blood tests. If there is evidence of hemolytic anemia, this can be a strong indicator of cold agglutinin disease. Blood tests can also detect abnormal clumping of cells and liver conditions. Many physicians will conduct a physical examination for liver enlargement.
Mild symptoms from cold agglutinin disease are usually normal and can be handled with medication. Severe symptoms such as issues pertaining to the heart can be problematic. For the best treatment and information, additional testing and a trained physician can help patients understand their diagnosis.