Anemia is a disorder in which your body's tissues don't get enough oxygen because you don't have enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia, commonly known as low hemoglobin, can leave you feeling exhausted and weak.
Anemia comes in a variety of types, each with its unique etiology. Anemia can be short-term or long-term, and it can be moderate or severe. Anemia is caused by a variety of factors in the majority of instances. If you believe you have anemia, see your doctor. It might be an indication of something more serious.
Anemia treatments vary depending on the reason and range from taking vitamins to undergoing medical procedures. Some kinds of anemia may be prevented by eating a healthy, diversified diet.
Types
- Aplastic anemia
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Sickle cell anemia
- Thalassemia
- Vitamin deficiency anemia
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of anemia differ based on the origin and severity of the condition. You may not have any symptoms depending on the reason of your anemia.
If signs and symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Cold hands and feet
- Headaches
Anemia might be so subtle at first that it goes unnoticed. However, when anemia progresses, symptoms intensify.
When should you see a doctor?
If you're tired and don't know why, make an appointment with your doctor.
Fatigue may be caused by a variety of factors other than anemia, so don't assume that if you're tired, you're anemic. When people give blood, they may discover that their hemoglobin is low, indicating anemia. Make an appointment with your doctor if you've been told you can't donate because of a low hemoglobin level.
Symptoms
Anemia can be caused by a disorder that is present at birth (congenital) or a disease that develops later in life (acquired). Anemia is a condition in which your blood lacks enough red blood cells.
This may occur if:
- Your body is unable to produce enough red blood cells.
- When you bleed, you lose red blood cells faster than they can be replenished.
- Red blood cells are destroyed by your body.
What function do red blood cells have?
White blood cells combat infection, platelets aid in blood clotting, and red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs.
Hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red hue, is found in red blood cells. Red blood cells use hemoglobin to transport oxygen from your lungs to all areas of your body, as well as carbon dioxide from other parts of your body to your lungs for exhalation.
The majority of your blood cells, including red blood cells, are made on a regular basis in your bone marrow, a spongy substance located within the cavities of many of your big bones. Your body need iron, vitamin B-12, folate, and other nutrients from your diet to form hemoglobin and red blood cells.
Causes of anemia
Anemia has a variety of causes. The causes of various forms of anemia varies. They are as follows:
- Anemia due to a lack of iron. A lack of iron in your body causes this form of anemia, which is the most frequent. Iron is required for hemoglobin production in the bone marrow. Your body can't make enough hemoglobin for red blood cells if you don't get enough iron. This kind of anemia affects many pregnant women who do not take iron supplements. It's also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy monthly bleeding; a stomach or small intestine ulcer; large bowel cancer; and regular use of over-the-counter pain medicines, particularly aspirin, which can induce inflammation of the stomach lining and lead to blood loss. To avoid recurrence of anemia, it's critical to identify the source of iron shortage.
- Anemia caused by a lack of vitamins. To make enough healthy red blood cells, your body need folate and vitamin B-12 in addition to iron. Reduced red blood cell production can be caused by a diet low in these and other essential nutrients. Even if they ingest adequate B-12, some people are unable to absorb it. Vitamin deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious anemia, can result as a result of this.
- Inflammatory anemia. Cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, renal illness, Crohn's disease, and other acute or chronic inflammatory conditions can all cause red blood cell formation to be disrupted.
- Aplastic anemia is a kind of anemia in which the red blood cells When your body doesn't create enough red blood cells, you get this uncommon, life-threatening anemia. Infections, some drugs, autoimmune illnesses, and toxic chemical exposure are all causes of aplastic anemia.
- Anemias linked to bone marrow failure. Anemia can be caused by a number of disorders that impact blood production in the bone marrow, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis. These cancers and cancer-like illnesses have a wide range of symptoms, from minor to life-threatening.
- Hemolytic anemias are a kind of anemia that affects the blood. When red blood cells are lost quicker than bone marrow can replenish them, anemia occurs. Certain blood illnesses promote the breakdown of red blood cells. A hemolytic anemia can be inherited or acquired later in life.
- Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a kind of anemia that affects Hemolytic anemia is a hereditary and sometimes fatal illness. It's produced by an aberrant crescent (sickle) shape in red blood cells caused by a faulty type of hemoglobin. Due to the early death of these irregular blood cells, there is a persistent lack of red blood cells.
Risk factors
You're more likely to get anemia if you have these factors:
- A vitamin and mineral deficiency in the diet. Anemia is more likely if your diet is persistently deficient in iron, vitamin B-12, folate, and copper.
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract Anemia can develop if you have an intestinal problem that prevents nutrients from being absorbed in your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease.
- Menstruation. Iron deficiency anemia is more common in women who haven't gone through menopause than in males and postmenopausal women. Red blood cells are lost during menstruation.
- Pregnancy. Anemia is more likely if you're pregnant and don't take a multivitamin with folic acid and iron.
- Conditions that last for a long time. You may be at risk for chronic disease anemia if you have cancer, renal failure, or another chronic ailment. Red blood cell shortages can occur as a result of certain situations.
- Iron deficiency anemia is caused by slow, persistent blood loss from an ulcer or other source within your body depleting your body's reserve of iron.
- History of the family. If your family has a history of hereditary anemias like sickle cell anemia, you may be at a higher risk of developing the disease.
- Other considerations. Anemia is more likely if you have a history of certain illnesses, blood diseases, or autoimmune disorders. Anemia can be caused by a variety of factors, including alcoholism, harmful chemical exposure, and the use of certain drugs.
- Age. Anemia is more common in those over the age of 65.
Complications
Anemia, if left untreated, can lead to a variety of health issues, including:
- Extreme exhaustion. Severe anemia might leave you exhausted and unable to conduct daily duties.
- Complications of pregnancy. Pregnant women suffering from folate deficiency anemia are more prone to have difficulties, such as early delivery.
- Problems with the heart. A fast or erratic heartbeat can be caused by anemia (arrhythmia). Anemia causes your heart to pump extra blood to compensate for the shortage of oxygen in your blood. This can lead to cardiac failure or an enlarged heart.
- Death. Some hereditary anemias, like sickle cell anemia, can have life-threatening consequences. Acute, severe anemia can be lethal if a large amount of blood is lost fast. Anemia is linked to an increased risk of mortality in elderly persons.
Prevention
Many kinds of anemia are incurable. However, iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency anemias can be avoided by consuming a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Iron. Beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit are all high in iron.
- Folate. Fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products including bread, cereal, pasta, and rice contain this vitamin and its synthetic version, folic acid.
- Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Meat, dairy products, fortified cereals, and soy products are all high in vitamin B-12.
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Citrus fruits and juices, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons, and strawberries are all high in vitamin C. These also aid in the absorption of iron.