Anemia

Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the concentration of red blood cells (erythrocytes) or hemoglobin the oxygen-carrying pigment is below normal. A blood disorder characterized by a decrease in red blood cells, which are primary transporters of oxygen to the body tissues. In this condition, blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells or dysfunctional red blood cells in the body.

Common Types of Anemia

• Iron deficiency Anemia
• Vitamin deficiency Anemia
• Pernicious Anemia
• Aplastic Anemia
• Hemolytic Anemia
• Sickle cell Anemia
• Anemia of Chronic Disease

Iron – deficiency Anemia

The most common type of anemia. Do not have enough iron in your body

Causes can include:

• Gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis, and cancer.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause ulcers and gastritis
• Women’s period (especially if have menstruation)
• Pregnancy-related anemia
• Iron deficient due to poor absorption

Vitamin-Deficiency Anemia

Low levels

• Vitamin B12
• Folate (folic Acid)
• Poor dietary intake

Pernicious Anemia

• Vitamin B12 cannot absorbed in the GI tract

Aplastic Anemia

1. Bone marrow stops making enough blood cells
2. Deficiency of blood-forming stem cells in bone marrow
3. The body’s own immune system attacks the stem cells

• Viral infection
• ionizing radiation
• exposure to toxic chemicals or drugs

Hemolytic Anemia

RBCs are broken up in the bloodstream or in spleen

• Mechanical causes
• infections
• Automobiles disorders
• Congenital abnormalities

Sickle Cell Anemia

• Inherited hemolytic anemia
• Hemoglobin protein is abnormal
• RBCs become rigid and clog the circulation
• Unable to flow through small blood vessels

Anemia of Chronic Disease

• Chronic disease can affect the body’s ability to make RBCs

Hormone (erythropoietin)

• Signal bone marrow to make new or more RBCs

Chemotherapy (to treat various cancers)

• Impairs the body’s ability to make new RBCs

Causes of Anemia

• Blood loss: due to any reason will cause anemia if blood loss is in excess amount.
• Inadequate production of red blood cells: if our bone marrow is not able to make enough red blood cells.
• Excessive destruction of red blood cells due to a variety of reasons will cause anemia

Symptoms of Anemia

1. Fatigue
2. Shortness of breath
3. Dizziness
4. Heart palpitations
5. Difficulty in Concentrating
6. Chest pain (angina pectoris)
7. Headache, cold hands and feet
8. Pale yellow skin, chest pain

Each anemia will also exhibit a set of unique symptoms: For example

1. Sour of mouth with cracks at the corners in iron deficiency anemia
2. People suffering from anemia caused by vit. B12 deficiency

• Hallucination
• Delayed growth and development in children
• Episodes of severe joint Pain
• Abdominal Pain

Risk factors of Anemia

• Prolonged menstruation
• Poor diet
• Genetic Susceptibility
• Pregnancy
• Medicine side effect
• Intestinal disorders
• People on blood thinners

Diagnosis of Anemia

1. A complete medical history, a physical examination, and blood tests are all essential to diagnose anemia
2. CBC also called Full body count, is usually performed which determines the number, size, volume, and hemoglobin content of red blood cells.
3. Once a diagnosis of anemia is confirmed additional tests are given to ascertain the specific underlying cause.
4. The level of blood in iron and the serum levels of ferritin, the principle form in which iron is stored in the body are measured, because these are the best indicators of the body’s total iron stores.
5. However, if vitamin deficiency is suspected, then blood levels of vitamins B12 and folate are measured
6. Specific blood is used to detect rare causes of anemia, such as an autoimmune disorder directed against the red blood cells, and red blood cell fragility.
7. Hemolytic anemia can be identified by measuring the by-products of red blood cell degradation in the urine and blood.
8. In some rare cases, bone marrow may be removed for analysis.

Treatment of Anemia

• Treatment of anemia is cause-specific
• Anemia caused by the deficiency of nutrients such as iron or B12 is treated with long-term supplementation of the depleted nutrient by injection or tablet form.
• Aplastic anemia may be treated by a blood transfusion, a bone marrow transplant, or a course of immunosuppressant drugs to suppress the immune system.
• Currently, there are no treatments for inherited anemias, such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, which is caused by the production of abnormal red blood cells.
• The administration of oxygen, pain-relieving drugs, and oral and intravenous, fluids are provided to improve the symptoms.
• Treatment is sometimes with blood transfusion, but regular transfusion can cause a build-up of iron in the body.
• Bone marrow transplant is another possibility.
• Management of hemolytic anemia includes avoiding suspect medications, treating related infections, and taking drugs that suppress the immune system.
• Anemia treatment through Medication, Antibiotic therapy, and surgery