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With recent advances in the field of medical science, blood cancer is no more considered to be a fatal disease. Bone marrow transplantation has come up with a life- saving treatment to combat this life-threatening disease.

India, the 2nd most populous country in the world, enjoys the dubious distinction of having the 3rd highest number of people suffering from blood cancer; 2.1 per 100,000! For this significant number of people diagnosed with diseases such as Aplastic Anaemia, Thalassemia, Leukaemia and the like, a Bone Marrow Transplant is the only hope and viable course of treatment.

Private Umbilical Cord Blood banking was introduced in America in the 1990’s and in India a decade later. This is after the first successful cord blood transplant in France in 1988 which paved the way for cord blood as an alternative source to Bone marrow derived stem cells. Both of which are an approved norm of stem cell treatment for a host of blood related disorders.

Many new parents get preserved their baby's cord blood cell in the hope that it can be used to treat serious illnesses later in the child's life. And, they are assured that it can be used to treat about 80 blood and immunological condition. They spend thousands of rupees a year for the services but they feel cheated when they are in need of this cryo-preserved stem cells. According to a paper published in 'International Journal for Scientific Research & Development', European countries like Italy and France have banned cord blood storage for self-use due to their being almost no autologous (own) usage in the treatment.

Private Umbilical Cord Blood banking was introduced in America in the 1990’s and in India a decade later. This is after the first successful cord blood transplant in France in 1988 which paved the way for cord blood as an alternative source to Bone marrow derived stem cells. Both of which are an approved norm of stem cell treatment for a host of blood related disorders.

Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous, malignant plasma cell disorder characterized by renal insufficiency, anemia, bone lesions, skeletal destruction, and other systemic symptoms.

For ages now, the Diagnosis of Lymphoma has been considered a diagnosis of death. Whether it’s a patient or an attending physician, the diagnosis of Lymphoma brings a sense of fatality, with a fear that survival with the disease is just not possible. However, thanks to the recent advances in Medical Science, the disease is now curable, with the fear of death with disease slowly taking a form myth.

While there are 400 different types of Anaemia, Iron Deficiency Anaemia is the most common type of anaemia worldwide, and is also one of the biggest reasons of reduced work capacity and productivity among adults. Among children and adolescents, the condition impacts motor and mental development.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia, one of the most common type of anaemia affects not only one's work capacity but also reduces overall productivity. To understand the condition, it is imperative to understand the underlying cause of the condition... My second post talks about various reasons behind the condition.

In my third post in the above series, I shall talk about Iron and its importance for our body... why does our body need iron? The reasons will only reiterate my point that Iron Deficiency Anaemia needs to be taken seriously.

Continuing with the series on Iron Deficiency Anaemia, my fourth post is all on the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Iron - How much iron needs to be consumed per day?

Continuing with the series on Iron Deficiency Anaemia, we've talked about the burden of the condition, the symptoms, how iron helps our body and the Required Dietary Allowance, the next two posts are about "IRON IN OUR FOOD." This post talks about our bioavailability of iron in our body and more importantly the inhibitors of iron.

Continuing with my series on Iron Deficiency Anaemia, we've seen the burden of the condition on the country, its symptoms, the importance of iron for our body, the Require Dietary Allowance (RDA) and also about Iron in our food. This post talks about the various food sources that are rich in iron and consumption of which might prevent the onset of the condition.

Continuing with my series on Iron Deficiency Anaemia, it's time now to talk about what will a doctor or a haematologist do to confirm the diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anaemia. While, the symptoms probably indicate the presence of the condition, it can only be confirmed through a proper diagnosis.

In my series of posts on "READING A BLOOD TEST REPORT", this post is all about Glucose Levels. In case you have any questions, do comment or write to me at rahulbhargavadr@gmail.com, and I shall definitely try to answer your questions.

Blood Test Reports with various terms mentioned along with numbers and units is really tough to decode and understand. But, it's important that we understand these terms and units so that we are able to play an active role in our medical care and also be aware of our own health needs.

Did you know that 70% of data needed for an accurate diagnosis and health management is in our blood. And that is why a blood test report is one of the important diagnostic tool in a doctor's armoury.

While your doctor will attempt to explain the various elements of a blood test report, it is advisable that all of us also understand the various elements of the report... after all, this is our life. And we should play an active role in our medical care.

While your doctor will attempt to explain the various elements of a blood test report, it is advisable that all of us also understand the various elements of the report... after all, this is our life.

A Blood Test Report, probably one of the most important diagnosis tool a doctor has in his/ her armoury. It gives a detailed analysis of any disease markers, the nutrients and waste products in the blood and also how various organs such as the kidneys & liver are functioning.

While your doctor will attempt to explain the various elements of a blood test report, it is advisable that all of us also understand the various elements of the report... after all, this is our life. And we should play an active role in our medical care.

While your doctor will attempt to explain the various elements of a blood test report, it is advisable that all of us also understand the various elements of the report... after all, this is our life. And we should play an active role in our medical care.

Aplastic Anaemia, also known as Bone Marrow Disorder, is a rare but treatable type of Anaemia where the bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells – red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets.

The International Women’s Day (March 8) is celebrated around the world to remember and celebrate women and their works for the society. This year’s theme of #PressForChange encourages women to raise voice for their rights.

It was indeed an honour and a privilege to present a talk on Anaemia & Thalassaemia at the recently concluded Occupational Health Conclave – ‘OCCUCLAVE’, the 5th Annual Conference of the Association of Environmental & Occupational Health – Delhi (AEOH) organised by the Indian Association of Occupational Health (IAOH) at SCOPE Complex on Lodhi Road on 13th January 2018.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela These inspirational words truly motivate me to do what I always wanted to do in my life – impart the education I have earned through my vast experience to the future generation of doctors who can truly help to change the world.

With India carrying a serious burden of Anaemia, and specially Iron-Deficiency Anaemia, it’s about time that we take this condition seriously. According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, 58% of our children below the age of 5 years are anaemic.

BLOOD DISORDERS can seriously compromise the quality of a person’s life, make sick people sicker and sometimes even speed death. The problem gets even more severe as most of us will live throughout our lives without even realising that we might be living with a serious blood disorder.

There are several conditions that affect the different types of blood cells. Abnormal blood counts can lead a doctor to suspect that there might be a problem in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is a soft spongy tissue found in the bones and contains stem cells that produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets found in our blood.

These words truly inspire me. And I believe that the experience and the knowledge that I have gained through 20 years of my career would help other practicing haematologists and doctors so that they too can make a difference in people’s lives. Because the more we share, the more we will learn.

There are roughly 6 crore people in India who carry the Thalassemia trait. Since the trait doesn't impact them directly, most of them are unaware of this. If two people carrying the Thalassemia trait get married, there is a 25% chance that their children will have the dangerous Thalassemia Major disease.

Misconceptions and wrong ideas about cancer can lead to needless worry and even hinder diagnosis and treatment decisions. To make sure that this doesn’t happen, I will attempt to dispel some myths with facts.

Misconceptions and wrong ideas about cancer can lead to needless worry and even hinder diagnosis and treatment decisions. To make sure that this doesn’t happen, I will attempt to dispel some myths with facts.

A big thank you to all of you who have appreciated my initiative. I am really very humbled from the responses that I have received. Thank you.

How often do you feel tired, depressed and weak? In this fast paced, tech-driven, high – stress world, perhaps every day. But did you know that these could also be the signs of anaemia, one of the most common problems to affect blood – the most important fluid in our body? The malady is common and very often goes undetected, being attributed to sleep deprivation and stressed lives. However, if you find these symptoms persisting even after resting well, stick up the red flag and see your medical practitioner immediately.

Really a proud moment for me when I go to Indore on 20th February to perform the first Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) at the recently inaugurated Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Madhya Pradesh’s largest government hospital in Indore – Maharaja Yehswantrao Holkar Hospital (MYH).

With symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness and headache, anaemia leads to some serious health issues. Chronic sufferers of anaemia are less productive with no energy left in them to pursue regular daily activities.

India carries a serious burden of anaemia with 58% of children below the age of 5 years being anaemic. If your child gets easily exhausted in spite of low level of activity or if your child does not feel like going out to play or if they are reluctant to go to school or if they spend the entire day on the couch or bed, you must talk to a paediatrician or a haematologist immediately.

We often hear the women in our lives, be it our mothers, our wives or our sisters, complain about feeling weak, feeling tired, being dizzy or paling of the skin. And, all of us believe that these are just some of the side effects of working too hard - either doing household chores or taking on the added pressures of managing both work and home.

It reduces your quality of life and increases your risk of death. You are always tired and have less energy to do things you enjoy. Less oxygen reaches your brain, so you may not think so clearly. Your body is not able to fight off infections as it should.

Aplastic Anaemia, also known as Bone Marrow Disorder, is a rare but treatable type of Anaemia where the bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells – red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets.

Sickle Cell Anaemia, also known as Sickle Cell Disease, is a condition that affects the red blood cells. Normally, our red blood cells are flexible and round, and they move easily through our blood vessels.

A Bone Marrow Transplant offers new hope for Multiple Sclerosis patients.

The Bone Marrow is a soft, gelatinous tissue found inside some of the bones (hip & thigh), and this is where the body makes and stores blood-forming cells called stem cells.

In recent years, the number of Multiple Sclerosis patients has increased and it is estimated that there are between 1,00,000 to 2,00,000. Young adults, especially in the age group of 20-30 are most vulnerable to Multiple Sclerosis, but an early intervention and general awareness can greatly improve the lives of MS patients.

Worldwide, iron-deficiency anaemia the most common type of anaemia. It is a type of anaemia caused by insufficient iron in the body to produce normal red blood cells. The bone marrow needs iron to make haemoglobin and without adequate iron, the body cannot produce enough haemoglobin for red blood cells.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), also known as Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia or Acute Lymphoid Leukaemia, is a type of Leukaemia that starts from the white blood cells in the bone marrow.

Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia (AML), also known as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, is a type of Leukaemia that starts from young white blood cells called granulocytes or monocytes or myelocytes in the bone marrow, where the new blood cells are made.

Leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood and/ or bone marrow. The disease develops when the bone marrow starts to make an abnormal amount of immature white blood cells called leukaemia cells or blasts.

In an effort to provide more robust blood services, National Institute of Biologicals (NIB) and the National Health Mission, under the purview of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare organised an extensive 'TRAIN THE TRAINERS' program from 8th for 13th January at NIB in Noida (UP).

Continuous advancements in cancer research has not only helped increase success rates, but also lowered side effects to improve the overall quality of life of Lymphoma patients. Further more, advancements in PET CT and CT has enabled both the diagnosis and treatment tracking of the disease.

Lymphoma, as the term suggests is a type of cancer that affects our lymphatic system – the system that runs along the circulatory system of our body and carries infection fighting cells to all parts of the body.

These commonly seen symptoms are often overlooked, but if they persist over time and cannot be explained by an infection or any other disease, consult your doctor immediately.

Be informed, and talk to your doctor or haematologist if any of these symptoms persist over a period of time:

Diagnosis of MS could be a challenge for doctors as there is no one test that can definitely show if someone has it. While, there are many other conditions which have similar symptoms, a neurologist would be able to figure out if the symptoms mean you have MS or another condition.

Since the reasons for MS are still an enigma, the various treatment options are geared towards slowing the progression of the disease. However, with extensive research, Hematopioetic Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) has proven to be a scientifically proven treatment.

For people with MS, the first signs and symptoms of MS appear between the ages of 20 and 40 years. In most cases, the symptoms get better, but then come back. In fact, the symptoms of MS differ greatly from person to person depending on the extent of nerve damage and also which nerves are affected.

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow - the spongy tissue found inside the bones where our body makes blood cells including a certain type called Plasma Cells.

Kidney or Renal Failure is a common complication of Multiple Myeloma. Up to 20% of patients will have some degree of kidney disease at diagnosis and a further 40% will develop kidney disease at some point during the course of their Myeloma.

Thalassaemia is the name of a group of genetic blood disorders in which the body makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin.

India is the Thalassaemia capital of the world with 40 million carriers, who are unknowingly passing on this genetic disorder to their children.

Every year 10,000 children with Thalassaemia Major are born in India, and each Thalassaemia patient, on an average, spends more than Rs. 1,00,000 per year on treatment.

The treatment duration for Beta Thalassaemia Major is lifelong. So, it's important to a get a Thalassaemia screening done before marriage and before planning a baby to prevent our children from this lifelong suffering.