Anemia

Anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body’s
organs. As a result, it’s common to feel cold and symptoms of tiredness or weakness. There are
many different types of anemia, but the most common type is iron-deficiency anemia. You can
begin to ease symptoms of this type of anemia by adding iron to your diet.

Anemia happens when you do not have enough red blood cells. The cells travel with iron and
hemoglobin, which is a protein that helps carry oxygen through the bloodstream to your organs
all through the body. When someone develops anemia, they are said to be "anemic." Being
anemic might mean that you feel more tired or cold than you usually do, or if your skin seems
too pale. This is due to your organs not receiving the oxygen they need to do their jobs. Some
people find out they are low in iron when they go to donate blood.

Types
1. Aplastic Anemia
2. Iron Deficiency Anemia
3. Sickle cell anemia
4. Thalassemia
5. Vitamin Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

Several signs and symptoms occur in all types of anemia, such as fatigue, shortness of breath and
feeling cold. Others include:

• Dizziness or weakness.
• Headache.
• Sore tongue.
• Pale skin, dry skin, or easily bruised skin.
• Unintended movement in the lower leg (restless legs syndrome).
• Fast heartbeat.
Risk Factor
These factors include:

• Poor diet consistently low in iron and vitamins such as folate which increase the risk of
developing anemia

• Intestinal disorders that affect the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, such as
Crohn's disease and Celiac disease

• Menstrual disorders with increased blood loss — women are at greater risk of iron
deficiency anemia because of blood loss during menstrual periods, especially for those with
heavy periods

• Pregnancy increases the risk of iron deficiency anaemia because of increased blood volume
during pregnancy, as well as developmental demands from the growing foetus

• Chronic conditions like cancer, kidney or liver failure and rheumatoid arthritis increase the
risk of developing anaemia of chronic disease

• Family history of inherited anaemia also increases the risk of developing anaemia

Causes

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

This can happen if:

• Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells

• Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced

• Your body destroys red blood cells

What red blood cells do

Your body makes three types of blood cells white blood cells to fight infection, platelets to

help your blood clot and red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color.
Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your

body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to your lungs to be exhaled.

Most blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced regularly in your bone marrow a

spongy material found within the cavities of many of your large bones. To produce

hemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs iron, vitamin B-12, folate and other

nutrients from the foods you eat.

Causes of anemia

Different types of anemia have different causes. They include

Iron deficiency anemia. This most common type of anemia is caused by a

shortage of iron in your body. Your bone marrow needs iron to make

hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin

for red blood cells.

Without iron supplementation, this type of anemia occurs in many pregnant

women. It is also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy menstrual bleeding,
an ulcer, cancer and regular use of some over-the-counter pain relievers,

especially aspirin, which can cause inflammation of the stomach lining

resulting in blood loss.

• Vitamin deficiency anemia. Besides iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to

produce enough healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients

can cause decreased red blood cell production.

Also, some people who consume enough B-12 aren't able to absorb the

vitamin. This can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious

anemia.

• Anemia of inflammation. Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid

arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn's disease and other acute or chronic inflammatory

diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells.

• Aplastic anemia. This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body doesn't

produce enough red blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain

medicines, autoimmune diseases and exposure to toxic chemicals.

• Anemia’s associated with bone marrow disease. A variety of diseases, such as

leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anemia by affecting blood production in your

bone marrow. The effects of these types of cancer and cancer-like disorders vary from

mild to life-threatening.

• Hemolytic anemia’s. This group of anemia’s develops when red blood cells are

destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. Certain blood diseases increase

red blood cell destruction. You can inherit a Hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it

later in life.

• Sickle cell anemia. This inherited and sometimes serious condition is a hemolytic

anemia. It's caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to

assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape. These irregular blood cells die

prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells.

Diagnosis of anemia

Anemia is diagnosed based on:

• medical history

• physical examination

• blood tests such as peripheral smear and full blood count (FBC) and other blood
indices
• bone marrow biopsy to confirm the diagnosis in more difficult cases

Complications

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

• Severe fatigue. Severe anemia can make you so tired that you can't complete everyday

tasks.

• Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women with folate deficiency anemia may be more

likely to have complications, such as premature birth.

• Heart problems. Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). When

you're anemic your heart must pump more blood to make up for the lack of oxygen in

the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.

• Death. Some inherited anemia’s such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening

complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anemia and can be

fatal.

Anemia treatment

Types of anemia treatment depends on specific anemia causes.

• Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron supplements or with blood transfusion, in
severe cases

• Vitamin deficiency anemia such as Pernicious anemia is treated with Vitamin B-12
injections and folic acid deficiency anemia is treated with folic acid supplements

• Anemia of chronic disease has no specific treatment for anemia symptoms alone, as
iron supplements and vitamins are generally ineffective
• Aplastic anemia treatment may include blood transfusions to boost red blood cell
count, or a bone marrow transplant

• Hemolytic anemia treatment includes taking drugs that suppress the immune system
such as steroids or gamma globulin and the removal of an enlarged spleen, if necessary

• Sickle cell anemia treatment includes blood transfusions, folic acid supplements,
antibiotics, bone marrow transplant and cancer drugs, such as hydroxyurea for adults

Prevention

. Avoid iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia by eating a healthy diet that
includes foods rich in iron, folate and vitamin B-12.

The best sources of iron are:

1. beef and other red meats

2. beans
3. lentils
4. iron-fortified cereals
5. dark green leafy vegetables
6. dried fruit
7. nuts and seeds

1. Folate can be found in citrus juices and fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and
fortified breakfast cereals, while Vitamin B-12 is found in meat and dairy products.

2. Take iron supplements for iron deficiency anemia as recommended by your doctor.
Vitamin C may be given together with iron tablets as it helps in its absorption.
 3. Vegans can consume non-harm iron from sources such as green leafy vegetables and
fruits, which are also rich in Vitamin C to maximize their iron absorption. They can also get
alternative sources of iron from beans (eg, bean products such as soy beans, tempeh, lentils, tofu,
and chickpeas), whole-grains, nuts and seeds.

Even then, iron intake may not be enough especially for women, whose average recommended
daily allowance (RDA) for iron is 19mg. Vegans should talk to their doctors about iron
supplements if they suspect they may be lacking the nutrient.

Diet

If nutritional deficiencies are responsible for anemia, eating more iron-rich foods can

help.

Foods rich in iron include:

1. Red meat, pork and poultry.

2. Seafood.

3. Beans.

4. Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.

5. Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots.

6. Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.

7. Peas.

Outlook

The outlook for a person with anemia depends on the cause. People can

sometimes prevent or manage anemia by making dietary changes alone. Other

types of anemia are lasting, and some can be life threatening without

treatment.
If a person feels continually weak and tired, they should see a doctor for testing