Description

Anemia is a problem of not having enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the tissues of the body. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to all the other organs in the body. Having anemia can cause fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.

There are many forms of anemia. Each one has its own cause. The Anemia may be short-term or long-term. Can vary from mild to severe. Anemia may be a warning sign of serious illness.

Treatments for anemia may include supplements or have medical procedures. Eating a healthy diet could prevent some forms of anemia.

Symptoms

Anemia symptoms depend on the cause and severity of the anemia. Anemia can be so mild that it does not cause any symptoms at first. But the symptoms usually occur and worsen as the anemia gets worse.

If another disease causes anemia, the disease can mask the symptoms of anemia. Then a test for another condition that could find the anemia. Certain types of anemia have symptoms that suggest the cause.

The possible symptoms of anemia are:

  • Fatigue.
  • The weakness.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pale or yellowed skin, which may be more evident in the white skin on the Black or brown the skin.
  • Irregular beating of the heart.
  • Dizziness or feeling light-headed.
  • Pain in the chest.
  • Cold hands and feet.
  • Headaches.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you are tired or short of breath, and I don't know why.

The low levels of the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen, called hemoglobin, which is the main sign of anemia. Some people learn that they have low levels of hemoglobin, by donating blood. If you say you can't donate because of low hemoglobin, make a medical appointment.

Causes

Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough hemoglobin or red blood cells.

This can occur if:

  • The body doesn't make enough hemoglobin or red blood cells.
  • The bleeding of the causes of the loss of red blood cells and hemoglobin more rapidly than they can be replaced.
  • The body destroys red blood cells and the hemoglobin they contain.

The red blood cells

The body produces three types of blood cells. White blood cells fight infection, platelets help the blood to clot and red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body.

Red blood cells have an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color, called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. And allows the red blood cells carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to the lungs to be exhaled.

Spongy matter inside many of the large bones, called bone marrow makes red blood cells and hemoglobin. For them, the body needs iron, vitamin B-12, folic acid and other nutrients from food.

Causes of anemia

The different types of anemia have different causes. They include:

  • Iron-deficiency Anemia.Too little iron in the body is the cause of this most common type of anemia. The bone marrow needs iron to produce hemoglobin. Without enough iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. Pregnant people can get this type of anemia if you do not take iron supplements. Blood loss can also cause. The blood loss can be of menstrual bleeding, an ulcer, cancer, or the regular use of certain pain relievers, especially aspirin.
  • Vitamin deficiency anemia.In addition to iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to make enough healthy red blood cells. A diet that does not have a sufficient amount of these and other nutrients can result in the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Also, some people can't absorb vitamin B-12. This can lead to anaemia due to vitamin a deficiency, also called pernicious anemia.
  • The Anemia of inflammation. Diseases that cause ongoing inflammation can maintain the production of red blood cells. Examples are cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and Crohn's disease.
  • Aplastic anemia. This is a rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when the body doesn't make enough new blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain medications, autoimmune diseases, and to be in contact with toxic chemicals.
  • Anemia linked to the disease of the bone marrow. Diseases such as leukemia and myelofibrosis can affect how the bone marrow makes blood. The effects of these types of diseases that range from mild to life-threatening.
  • Hemolytic Anemias. This group of anemias is from the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can replace them. Certain diseases of the blood, increase the speed with which red blood cells are destroyed. Some types of hemolytic anemia can be passed through families, which is called legacy.
  • Sickle cell anemia. This inherited and sometimes serious condition is a type of hemolytic anemia. An unusual hemoglobin of the forces of red blood cells in a unusual shape of the moon, called the sickle. These irregular blood cells die too soon. That causes a permanent lack of red blood cells.

Iron-deficiency Anemia. Too little iron in the body is the cause of this most common type of anemia. The bone marrow needs iron to produce hemoglobin. Without enough iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.

Pregnant people can get this type of anemia if you do not take iron supplements. Blood loss can also cause. The blood loss can be of menstrual bleeding, an ulcer, cancer, or the regular use of certain pain relievers, especially aspirin.

Vitamin deficiency anemia. In addition to iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to make enough healthy red blood cells. A diet that does not have a sufficient amount of these and other nutrients can result in the body does not produce enough red blood cells.

Also, some people can't absorb vitamin B-12. This can lead to anaemia due to vitamin a deficiency, also called pernicious anemia.

Risk factors

These factors can increase the risk of anemia:

  • A diet that does not have enough of certain vitamins and minerals. We do not get enough iron, vitamin B-12 and folic acid increases the risk of anemia.
  • Problems with the small intestine. Have a disease that affects how the small intestine takes in nutrients increases the risk of anemia. Examples are Crohn's disease and celiac disease.
  • The menstrual periods. In general, having heavy periods may create a risk of anemia. Have periods of the cause of the loss of red blood cells.
  • Pregnancy. Pregnant people who do not take a multivitamin with folic acid and iron are at an increased risk of anemia.
  • In the course, called chronic, conditions.Cancer, kidney failure, diabetes or other chronic disease increases the risk of anemia of chronic disease. These conditions can lead to having too few red blood cells. Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or from another source in the body can be used in the body store of iron, leading to iron-deficiency anemia.
  • The history of the family. Have a family member with a type of anemia is passed through families, called legacy, may increase the risk of anemias hereditary disorders, such as sickle cell anemia.
  • Other factors. A history of certain infections, blood diseases and autoimmune diseases increases the risk of anemia. Drinking too much alcohol, being around toxic chemicals, and some medicines may influence the construction of red blood cells and lead to anemia.
  • Age. People over 65 years of age are at higher risk of anemia.

In the course, called chronic, conditions. Cancer, kidney failure, diabetes or other chronic disease increases the risk of anemia of chronic disease. These conditions can lead to having too few red blood cells.

Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or from another source in the body can be used in the body store of iron, leading to iron-deficiency anemia.

Complications

If untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as:

  • Fatigue. Severe anemia may make it impossible to do everyday tasks.
  • Complications in pregnancy. Pregnant people with folate-deficiency anemia may be more likely to have complications, such as premature birth.
  • The problems of the heart. Anemia can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, called an arrhythmia. With anemia, the heart must pump more blood to compensate for that too little oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
  • Death. Some anemias, hereditary disorders, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly causes severe anemia and can be fatal.

Prevention

Many types of anemia can't be prevented. But eating a healthy diet can prevent iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias. A healthy diet includes:

  • Iron. Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables and nuts.
  • Folate. This nutrient, and his human form folic acid, can be found in fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products such as bread, cereals, pasta and rice.
  • Vitamin B-12. Foods rich in vitamin B-12 is found in meat, dairy products, and fortified cereals and soy products.
  • Vitamin C. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons and strawberries. These also help the body absorb the iron.

If you are worried about how to get the sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals from food, ask your doctor about taking a multivitamin supplement.

Diagnosis

To diagnose anemia, your doctor will likely ask about your medical and family history, do a physical exam and blood tests. Tests may include:

  • Complete blood count (CBC).ACBCis used to count the number of blood cells in a blood sample. For the anemia, the test measures the amount of red blood cells in the blood, called the hematocrit, and the hemoglobin level in the blood. Typical of adult hemoglobin values are generally from 14 to 18 grams per deciliter for men and 12 to 16 grams per deciliter for women. Typical adult hematocrit values vary among medical practices. But they are, in general, between 40% and 52% for men and 35% and 47% for women.
  • A test to show the size and shape of the red blood cells. This is seen in the size, shape and color of the red blood cells.

Complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is used to count the number of blood cells in a blood sample. For the anemia, the test measures the amount of red blood cells in the blood, called the hematocrit, and the hemoglobin level in the blood.

Typical of adult hemoglobin values are generally from 14 to 18 grams per deciliter for men and 12 to 16 grams per deciliter for women. Typical adult hematocrit values vary among medical practices. But they are, in general, between 40% and 52% for men and 35% and 47% for women.

Other diagnostic tests

If you receive a diagnosis of anemia, it is possible that you may need more tests to find the cause. Sometimes, it may be necessary to the study of a sample of bone marrow to diagnose anemia.

Treatment

The treatment of Anemia depends on the cause.

  • Iron-deficiency Anemia.The treatment of this form of anemia usually involves taking iron supplements and dietary changes. If the cause of iron deficiency is blood loss, the search for the source of the bleeding and the stop is necessary. This may involve surgery.
  • Vitamin deficiency anemias.Treatment for folic acid and vitamin B-12 deficiency consists in dietary supplements and the increase of these nutrients in the diet. People who have difficulty absorbing vitamin B-12 from food may need vitamin B-12 shots. In the first place, the shots are every other day. At the time, the shots shots just once a month, possibly for life.
  • Anemia of chronic disease. The treatment for this type of anemia focuses on the disease it causes. If the symptoms become severe, treatment may include collection of blood, which is called a transfusion, or a photo of a hormone called erythropoietin.
  • Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. The treatment of these various diseases can include medication, chemotherapy or the obtaining of bone marrow from a donor is called a transplant.
  • Aplastic anemia. The treatment for this anemia may include blood transfusions to boost levels of red blood cells. A bone marrow transplant might be needed if the bone marrow can't make healthy blood cells.
  • Hemolytic Anemias. The management of hemolytic anemias includes stopping medication that could be the cause and the treatment of infections. If the immune system attacks the red blood cells, the treatment may be taking drugs that reduce the activity of the immune system.
  • Sickle cell anemia.Treatment may include oxygen, pain relievers, and hydration with intravenous fluids, called an iv, to reduce pain and prevent complications. Receipt of blood, which is called a transfusion, and take folic acid supplements and antibiotics could be involved. A cancer drug called hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea, Siklos) is also used to treat sickle cell anemia.
  • Thalassemia. Most forms of thalassemia are mild and do not need treatment. More severe forms of thalassemia often require blood transfusions, folic acid supplements, medications, blood and bone marrow stem cell transplantation, or, more rarely, removal of the spleen.

Iron-deficiency Anemia. The treatment of this form of anemia usually involves taking iron supplements and dietary changes.

If the cause of iron deficiency is blood loss, the search for the source of the bleeding and the stop is necessary. This may involve surgery.

Vitamin deficiency anemias. Treatment for folic acid and vitamin B-12 deficiency consists in dietary supplements and the increase of these nutrients in the diet.

People who have difficulty absorbing vitamin B-12 from food may need vitamin B-12 shots. In the first place, the shots are every other day. At the time, the shots shots just once a month, possibly for life.

Sickle cell anemia. Treatment may include oxygen, pain relievers, and hydration with intravenous fluids, called an iv, to reduce pain and prevent complications. Receipt of blood, which is called a transfusion, and take folic acid supplements and antibiotics could be involved.

A cancer drug called hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea, Siklos) is also used to treat sickle cell anemia.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with your primary care provider if you have a long-term fatigue, or other symptoms that worry you. You might end up seeing a doctor who specializes in the treatment of disorders of the blood, called a hematologist; the heart, called a cardiologist; or the digestive system, called a gastroenterologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, the medical devices that you have in your body, the toxins or chemicals that have been there, and recent changes in life.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care provider.

For anemia, basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • It is my anemia likely to be short-term or long-term?
  • What treatments are there, and I recommend?
  • What side effects can I expect from treatment?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Do I have to change my diet?
  • Do you have brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • Do your symptoms come and go or are they constant?
  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Are you a vegetarian?
  • How many servings of fruits and vegetables that you eat in a day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If so, with what frequency, and how many drinks do you have?
  • Are you a smoker?
  • Have you recently donated blood more than once?
Symptoms and treatment of Anemia