HTV

Anemia

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 AnemiaIron 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