Hemochromatosis News

Many smaller, nonrural regions of the United States have no or few practicing rheumatologists, limiting access for patients with chronic rheumatic conditions, according to recent study results.

Hemochromatosis is a disorder that results in too much iron being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

A rheumatologist is a specialist in the field of rheumatology who has received postgraduate training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones. Apart from the main types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, a rheumatologist may treat 100 different types of pain and musculoskeletal disorders, including autoimmune diseases, back pain, fibromyalgia, gout, lupus, osteoporosis, Sjögren’s syndrome, spondylitis, Still’s disease and tendinitis.

The European Haematology Association’s annual congress took place in June in London. A number of themes emerged from this large and interesting meeting, which spotlighted several exciting and meaningful therapeutic advances.

A 66-year-old Peruvian man visiting the United States for the past 6 months was admitted for evaluation of near syncope and possible transient ischemic attack. He noted two episodes of slurred speech, weakness and difficulty walking that lasted 1 hour.

Bloodletting improved insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity and decreased liver iron content in carriers of the hemochromatosis gene with and without diabetes, according to recent research.