Overview
It is a condition in which you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. There are many forms of this disease, each with its own cause. It can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe.
Causes
This disease manifests in various different types and the cause varies with the type:
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Blood loss, deficiency of dietary iron, ulcer in the GIT.
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
Folate deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Certain chronic diseases like HIV, Rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, etc, interfere with the production of RBCs, leading to this type of disease
Aplastic Anemia
Infection, exposure to toxins, medications, autoimmune.
Hemolytic Anemia
Genetic, infection, liver disease
Sickle Cell Anemia
Genetic
Symptoms
This disease can manifest itself with a vast range of symptoms, which vary with the type of this disease. Here are some of the symptoms and signs of this health condition:
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Irregular heartbeats
- Chest pain
- Cold hands and feet
- Headache
These symptoms are sort of generalized, so it is easy for the patient to let the disease go unnoticed until it becomes worse.
Diagnosis
For the diagnosis and recognition of this disease, multiple blood tests are available:
- Blood complete picture
- Serum ferritin
- Serum transferrin
- Serum TIBC
Treatment
The treatment of this disease varies from patient to patient.
Iron Deficiency Anemia – Iron supplements, dietary iron
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia – Vitamin supplements, dietary B12, dietary folate
Anemia of Chronic Disease – Treat the underlying chronic disease
Aplastic Anemia – Bone marrow transplant, blood transfusions
Hemolytic Anemia – Remove the precipitating cause
Sickle Cell Anemia – Can be treated by bone marrow transplant
