Hemolytic anemia is a disorder in which the red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. The term for destruction of red blood cells is hemolysis. There are two types of hemolytic anemia, intrinsic and extrinsic.

What causes hemolytic anemia?
Intrinsic:
The destruction of the red blood cells is due to a defect within the red blood cells themselves. Intrinsic hemolytic anemias are often inherited. Examples include sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. These conditions produce red blood cells that do not live as long as normal red blood cells.

Extrinsic:
Normal red blood cells are made but are later destroyed by becoming trapped in the spleen, destroyed by infection, or destroyed from drugs that can affect red blood cells. In severe cases, the destruction takes place in the circulation. Possible causes of extrinsic hemolytic anemia include:
-- Thrombocytopenic Purpura
-- Infections, such as hepatitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
-- Medications, such as penicillin, antimalarial medications, sulfa medications, or acetaminophen
-- Leukemia or lymphoma
-- Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, or Ulcerative Colitis
-- Mechanical heart valves that may shear red blood cells as they leave the heart
-- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, in which the body's immune system creates an antibody against its own blood cells
 
What are the symptoms of hemolytic anemia?
The following are the most common symptoms of hemolytic anemia. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
-- Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin
-- Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mouth
-- Dark-colored urine
-- Fever
-- Weakness
-- Dizziness
-- Confusion
-- Intolerance to physical activity
-- Enlargement of the spleen and liver
-- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
-- Heart murmur