What is Anemia?
This condition occurs when a person doesn’t have enough red blood cells
or the red blood cells don’t contain enough amount of hemoglobin or
hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the main protein in red blood cells, which carries
oxygen, and delivers it throughout the whole body. if someone is having
Anemia then their hemoglobin level will be too low, which causes a lack of
oxygen in the tissues and organs.
What are the types of Anemia?
1) Iron deficiency anemia
2) Vitamin deficiency anemia
3) Aplastic anemia
4) Sickle cell anemia
5) Hemolytic anemia
What are the causes of Anemia?
Anemia occurs when the body doesn’t have sufficient red blood cells. This
can happen when -:
1) Iron Deficiency Anemia
The shortage of iron in a body can cause ‘iron-deficiency anemia’. it is
the most common type of anemia.
2) Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
Our body needs folate and vitamin B-12 besides iron, to produce sufficient
healthy red blood cells. lacking these and key nutrients can cause
a decrease in red blood cell production.
3) Aplastic Anemia
It is a life-threatening anemia. It occurs when the body doesn’t produce
enough RBC. it can be caused by infections, certain medicines, exposure to
toxic chemicals.
4) Sickle Cell Anemia
It is a serious condition which is caused by a damaged form of
hemoglobin that forces RBC to presume an abnormal crescent
shape, which causes cells to die prematurely and results in chronic shortage
of RBC.
5) Hemolytic Anemia
It develops when the RBC are destroying faster than the bone
marrow can replace them.
Symptoms of Anemia
1) Dizziness, lightheadedness
2) Fast or unusual heartbeat
3) Headache
4) Pain, including in your bones, chest, belly, and joints
5) Shortness of breath
6) Cold hands and feet
7) Tiredness or weakness
8) pale or yellow skin
Prevention of Anemia
1) Iron – Iron-rich food contains beef and other meat, beans, lentils, green vegetables.
2) Folate – It has a synthetic form of folic acid, which can be found in leafy vegetables, peanuts, kidney beans, fruit juices, green peas.
3) Vitamin B-12 – B-12 include meat, dairy products, soy product and
cereal.
4) Vitamin C – Food rich in vitamin-c include citrus fruits and
juices, broccoli, melons, and strawberries.
Treatment of Anemia
1) Iron Deficiency Anemia – Take iron supplements and
changes in diet can help to prevent this anemia.
2) Vitamin Deficiency Anemia – This treatment includes vitamin
B-12 SHOTS, dietary supplements.
3) Aplastic Anemia – This treatment includes blood transfusion
or bone marrow transplant.
4) Sickle Cell Anemia – This treatment involves oxygen
therapy, pain relief medication, and intravenous fluids and
antibiotics.
5) Hemolytic Anemia – This treatment may include
immunosuppressant drugs and plasmapheresis, which filters
blood.