Anemia

Anemia is a fairly common disease around the world, and it affects all ages in different forms. Some types of anemia might lead to serious complications if not treated.

Anemia

Anemia is a blood disorder that occurs due to not having enough red blood cells or if the red blood cells don’t work properly. Red blood cells transfer oxygen throughout the body; therefore, any defect in them, like anemia, would affect their work.

Anemia is very common, and it’s estimated that one in every three people has anemia.

Causes of anemia

The causes of anemia differ depending on the type; some of them are:

• Iron-deficiency anemia, which is the most common type. The body needs iron to synthesize the hemoglobin protein, which is essential for the work of the red blood cells in transferring oxygen.
• Vitamin deficiency anemia. The body needs vitamins to synthesize the red cells, such as vitamin B₁₂ and folate.
• Sickle cell anemia.
• Thalassemia, which is an inherited disease that causes less hemoglobin in the red cells.
• Aplastic anemia, which occurs when the body doesn’t make enough blood cells.
• Hemolytic anemia, which occurs when the red blood cells are being destroyed faster than the ability of the body to replace them.
• Inflammation-related anemia.
• Anemias that are linked to diseases in the bone marrow, which is the substance inside the bones in which the blood cells are produced.

Risk factors of anemia

• A diet that’s poor in important blood nutrients.
• Intestine problems that cause malabsorption of some nutrients, such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
• Family history.
• Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney failure, and cancer.
• Pregnancy.
• Heavy menstrual periods.
• Being older than 65 years old.

Symptoms of anemia

There might not be any symptoms in mild anemias, and as the condition progresses, these symptoms might appear:

• Fatigue.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Heart palpitations.
• Paleness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Headaches.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Frequent infections.
• Pulsatile tinnitus.

Complications of anemia

Anemias might lead to severe complications if not treated, such as:

• Heart problems like arrhythmias, heart attack, and heart failure.
• Pregnancy problems, like premature birth.
• Extreme tiredness that prevents you from doing your daily routine tasks.
• In some extreme cases, anemia might lead to death.

Diagnosis of anemia

• Complete blood tests that include the number, shape, and size of the red blood cells.
• Iron, hemoglobin, specific vitamins, and other blood tests.

Treatment of anemia

The treatment depends on the anemia cause:

• Medications to replace the missing nutrients, like iron and vitamins.
• Blood transfusion.
• Bone marrow transplant.
• Following a healthy and balanced diet.