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Anemia - Anemia symptom, treatment, causes

Synonym: Pallor; Adjective: Anemic
Etymology: From Greek anaimia = without blood

What is Anaemia ?

Anemia is a condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced. Oxygen is transported around the body by the iron-containing pigment haemoglobin in the blood's erythrocytes (red cells). Anaemia can result from insufficient or abnormal haemoglobin in the red cells, or inadequate or abnormal red cells in the circulating blood.

Anemia is due to the lowering in the normal number of red blood cells in the blood, usually measured by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. Anemia can be temporary or long-term, and it can range from mild to severe.The oxygen we inhale doesn't just stop in our lungs. It's needed throughout our bodies to nourish the brain and all the other organs and tissues that allow us to function.

There are several types of anemia - Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common one. In the United States, 20 percent of all women of childbearing age have iron-deficiency anemia, compared to only 2 percent of adult men. The primary cause is blood lost during menstruation. Folic-acid deficiency anemia occurs when folic-acid levels are low, usually due to inadequate dietary intake or faulty absorption. Hemolytic anemia - when red blood cells are destroyed prematurely.

Anemia is a rare problem happens when your body doesn't make enough red blood cells.Women and people with chronic diseases are at increased risk of the condition.Anemia can cause a variety of complications, including fatigue and stress on bodily organs. Iron deficiency anemia is most common in women who have heavy menstrual periods. Anemia is actually a sign of a disease process rather than a disease itself. When a small amount of blood is lost, the bone marrow is able to replace it without a person becoming anemia.

Causes of Anemia

The common Causes of Anemia

• White blood cells fight infection.
• Decreased red cell production by the bone marrow.
• Blood loss from heavy menstrual periods or internal bleeding.
• Water weight gain during pregnancy dilutes the red blood cells.
• Poor nutrition.

Symptoms of Anemia

The common Symptoms of Anemia

• Weight loss.
• Chest pain.
• Dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Weakness.
• Headache.
• Pale skin.
• Numbness or coldness in your extremities.

Treatment of Anemia

• Vitamin deficiency - Treated with injections often lifetime injections of vitamin B-12. Folic acid deficiency anemia is treated with folic acid supplements.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages, aspirin, and medications such as ibuprofen (Advil), which can make ulcers worse and lead to bleeding.
• If your child does have iron deficiency anemia, the doctor may prescribe medication as drops or as a liquid or tablet and also may recommend adding certain iron-rich foods to your child's diet.
• Sickle cell anemia- Treatment for this incurable anemia may include the administration of oxygen, pain-relieving drugs, and oral and intravenous fluids to reduce pain and prevent complications. . A cancer drug called hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea) also is used to treat sickle cell anemia in adults.
• Folic acid deficiency anemia can be corrected by taking folic acid supplements once a day.

The many different causes of anaemia can be classified into two main groups.

Too little or Abnormal Haemoglobin

A common example of insufficient haemoglobin is iron deficiency anaemia, due to an inadequate intake of iron in the diet or excessive loss of iron from the body. such as may occur in bleeding from the bowel (PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE, bowel inflam-mation cancer), heavy menstrual periods, or closely repeated pregnancy and breastfeeding. Abnormalities of haemoglobin occur in the hereditary anaemias (for example, THALASSAEMIA and SICKLE CEll DISEASE), and in certain poisonings that change the haemoglobin so that it cannot carry oxygen properly.

Anemia is the reduction in oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Anemia is evident from the pale appearance of nails, palms, lips, tongue and conjunctiva even in a dark-skinned person.

Complaints of Anemia

. Exhaustion, from usual aCtlvltles
. Lethargy, lassitude
. Palpitations
. Breathlessness

All these complaints are caused by inadequate oxygenation. Oxygen is carried by arterial blood, in the RBCs RBCs have a transporter protein called Hemoglobin (Hb) which is an iron compound. (1ml of RBCs= 1mg of elemental iron) The blood of an anemic person shows a low Hb value

NORMAL VALUES of Anemia

Males 13-16g%
Females 12-14g%

Low Hb can be the result of

. a fewer number of RBCs in circulation (blood loss)
. poor production of Hb (iron deficiency)
. defective production of Hb: hemoglobinopathies

There also are situations where the RBC is deformed, and breaks easily, leading to hemolysis. Anemias so caused are called hemolytic anemias. Some of these, like Mediterranean Anemia and Sickle Cell Disease are hereditary. Others are drug-induced.