A medical disorder of the blood, anemia refers to the condition
where there is low red blood cell count or amount of hemoglobin in blood than normal. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and is the protein that carries oxygen from the lungs. In men, it is considered anemia when hemoglobin level is below 13.5 gram/100 mL, whereas anything below 12.0 gram/100 mL is anemia for women. There are many different types of anemia which can occur to people. It is sometimes accompanied by certain symptoms, but can also be asymptomatic. Treatment varies on the specific cause, and thus can vary greatly for different types of anemia.
Causes and Types of Anemia
The normal life span of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days, which are manufactured in the bone marrow. Anything that causes disruption of the normal life span of red blood cells may lead to anemia. There are three main causes of anemia, which branch out to the different types of anemia
- Blood loss
- Menstruation and childbirth in women
- Gastrointestinal conditions
- Gastritis, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and cancer
- Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Internal bleeding or external bleeding
- Increased destruction of red blood cells
- Inherited conditions, such as sickle cell anemia
- Hemolytic disease
- Infections
- Toxins and venoms
- Clotting disorders
- Severe burns
- Decreased production of red blood cells or hemoglobin
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Sickle cell anemia
- Vitamin deficiency in diet
- Pernicious anemia (mainly due to vitamin B12 deficiency)
- Megaloblastic anemia (due to B9 and B12 deficiency)
- Bone marrow and stem cell problems
- Aplastic anemia
- Cooley’s anemia
- May be due to lead exposure to the body
- Other causes of anemia
- Old age
- Advanced kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
Symptoms of Anemia
The body is sometimes capable of adjusting to anemia thus symptoms don’t always manifest in anemia especially if it has been longstanding (chronic anemia). However, when anemia occurs rapidly (acute anemia), the most common symptoms are the following.
- Fatigue and tired easily
- Paleness of skin
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- In severe cases, malaise, hair loss and worsening heart problems.
Treatment of Anemia
It is essential to identify the underlying cause of anemia to treat it effectively. Some of the common treatments include:
- If due to vitamin B12 deficiency, increase of iron in the diet.
- If due to iron deficiency, iron supplements are prescribed.
- If due to bone marrow disease or kidney failure.
- If due to certain medications, these medications should be stopped.
- If due to blood loss, surgery may be required.
Many types of anemia can be short term and easily treated. Although necessary treatment cannot be provided at home, knowing the causes and possible complications of anemia can lead to a greater comprehension of importance of blood and consistent blood flow in the body. Understanding anemia can help in taking first aid training and CPR courses.