Cold agglutinin disease or CAD is a type of condition in which your antibodies strike the red blood cells and ruin them. It is stimulated by cold climates, and it can cause issues that vary from drowsiness to heart issues. This type of disease is more common among people ages 60 and above, and females are more at risk in getting it than males.
Cold agglutinin disease can be the main or subordinate root of an underlying problem including cancers or infections.
How does it occur?
When you inhale, your red blood cells conveys oxygen out of your lungs to the entire body. Then they convey carbon dioxide away to your lungs for you to exhale. A usual red blood cell stays at least 100 to 120 days. The antibodies create proteins that aid in preventing infections. Most of these are known as the cold agglutinins since they’re released when your temperature level is beneath normal.
In cold agglutinin disease, the immunizers connect themselves to red blood cells rather than viruses and in the end destroy the RBC or red blood cells. And when it happens, it can lead to anemia, which is when your body does not have enough red blood cells.