ANEMIA
What is Anemia ?Anemia is a condition in which an abnormally low number of red blood cells circulate in the body. It is the most common disorder of the red blood cells, affecting about 3.5 million Americans.
Anemia is not a disease. It is a condition that results from below-normal levels of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing pigment of the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
There are many different kinds of anemia (SEE BELOW), each with its own cause. For example, a poor diet can cause anemia. The more severe types of this condition are often inherited.
Anemia is not a disease. It is a condition that results from below-normal levels of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing pigment of the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
There are many different kinds of anemia (SEE BELOW), each with its own cause. For example, a poor diet can cause anemia. The more severe types of this condition are often inherited.
Why Does Anemia Occur?
To understand why anemia occurs, it's important to understand the function of blood itself. Blood is a mixture of plasma (the fluid part of the blood) and cells. Its red color comes from the predominant cells found in the blood, called erythrocytes.
A healthy person has about 5 million red cells in every cubic millimeter of blood. Each cell contains a protein (hemoglobin) that carries oxygen through the body.
The process of creating and recycling red blood cells is exceptionally complex. Trouble can occur at any point in this process. If the red blood cells fail to effectively transport oxygen throughout the body, anemia can result.
A healthy person has about 5 million red cells in every cubic millimeter of blood. Each cell contains a protein (hemoglobin) that carries oxygen through the body.
The process of creating and recycling red blood cells is exceptionally complex. Trouble can occur at any point in this process. If the red blood cells fail to effectively transport oxygen throughout the body, anemia can result.
Facts About Anemia
- The word anemia is Greek for "without blood."
- Anemia is a common problem for menstruating women because their iron supplies are depleted monthly.
- In young children, marrow in all the bones produces red blood cells. As a person ages, red blood cells are eventually produced only in the marrow of the spine, ribs, and pelvis.
- The life span of a red blood cell is between 90 and 120 days.
- Old red blood cells are removed from the blood by the liver and spleen, and the iron is returned to the bone marrow to make new cells.
Symptoms of Anemia
A person with anemia will feel tired and weak because the body's tissues are being starved of oxygen. In fact, fatigue is the main symptom of most types of anemia. The severity of symptoms is in part related to the severity of anemia. Mild anemia can occur without symptoms and may be detected only during a medical exam that includes a blood test.
Symptoms of anemia include:
Symptoms of anemia include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Breathlessness
- Heart palpitations (rapid or irregular beating)
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Pale complexion
- The normally red lining of the mouth and eyelids fades in color
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Abnormal menstruation (either absence of periods or increased bleeding)
How Is Anemia Treated?
The treatment for anemia depends on the type and cause.
For instance, if the bone marrow has failed because of leukemia, intensive chemotherapy may be required. Bone marrow transplantation may be contemplated if a suitable donor exists.
With proper treatment, many types of anemia can be eliminated, especially those caused by iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency.
- Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron (ferrous sulphate) supplements, initially taken three times a day. If nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea or constipation occur, the medication may be taken with a little bit of food. Treatment should be continued for three to six months in order for the body to fully replenish its iron supply. As long as excessive bleeding is not present and there are no other complicating factors, the anemia will be corrected within a few weeks. However, if the iron deficiency is caused by blood loss that is not due to menstruation, the source of bleeding must be found and stopped. This may require surgery.
- Pernicious anemia, or vitamin B-12 deficiency, is treated by a life-long course of intramuscular injections of B-12. Persons with this type of anemia receive a shot of B-12 several times a week when first diagnosed. The treatment may continue for life, with one shot about four times a year.
- Folic acid deficiency anemia can be corrected by taking folic acid supplements once a day.
- Hereditary hemolytic anemias, such as thalassemia is treated by first eliminating any existing infections and avoiding medications that suppress the body's immune system. These medications may attack red blood cells. In addition, persons with these types of anemia may require regular blood transfusions.
- Sickle cell anemia patients may be given oxygen, oral and intravenous fluids and pain-killing drugs to reduce pain and prevent complications. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed as well. Sufferers will need blood transfusions when the anemia becomes severe or if misshapen hemoglobin needs to be replaced. In some cases, a bone marrow transplant may be effective. Adult patients may be treated with the cancer drug hydroxyurea (brand names Droxia, Hydrea).
- Sometimes rare aplastic anemias and autoimmune hemolytic anemias will respond to steroids. Failure to respond to steroids may require removal of the spleen which can become enlarged with defective red blood cells. Aplastic anemias may require blood transfusions and medications to fight infections.
For instance, if the bone marrow has failed because of leukemia, intensive chemotherapy may be required. Bone marrow transplantation may be contemplated if a suitable donor exists.
With proper treatment, many types of anemia can be eliminated, especially those caused by iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency.