Diseases

Beta-Globin Type Methemoglobinema(Methemoglobinema)

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To use the sharing features on this page, please enable javascript. Methemoglobinemia (methb) is a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin is produced. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells (rbcs) that carries and distributes oxygen to the body. Methemoglobin is A form of hemoglobin.

SYMPTOMS

3-15% - slight discoloration (eg, pale, gray, blue) of the skin.
15-20% - cyanosis, though patients may be relatively asymptomatic.
25-50% - headache, dyspnea, lightheadedness (even syncope), weakness, confusion, palpitations, chest pain.

CAUSES

This results in a major risk of methemoglobinemia caused by nitrates ingested in drinking water, dehydration (usually caused by gastroenteritis with diarrhea), sepsis, or topical anesthetics containing benzocaine or prilocaine.