WHAT IS ANEMIA?

 

Overview

Anemia is a condition of the body where the number of healthy red blood cells ( RBC) are too low.

Low RBC means that your body is not able to supply oxygen to its various organs.

Anemia is measured by measuring the haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is the main protein in the RBC that helps in transportation of oxygen from one part of the body to another. More than 2 million people in this world face this problem and women are at major risk, because of menstruation.

Causes

There are various causes of anemia. 

1.Low RBC Production.

Factors that typically reduce the RBC production are as follows.

1.Low production of hormone erythropoietin by the kidneys

2. Deficiency of iron

3. Deficiency of Vitamin B-12

4. Deficiency of folate

5. hypothyroidism (low production of thyroxine)

2. Increased Destruction of RBC, this means that RBC gets destroyed more quickly than they are produced.

This is caused by various factors starting from diseases like hemorrhaging. Major factors include.

1.accidents

2. menstruations

3. childbirth

4. enlarged spleen

5. fibrosis

6. surgery

7. genetic disorders like thalassemia and sickle cells anemia

Symptoms

Symptoms of anemia are not very specific and might be triggered due to a variety of factors.

Cause of the anemia can be anything but the symptoms are common. Some common symptoms of anemia are as follows.

1.Person appears pale

2.He might feel cold without any reason

3. Lightheadedness or dizziness

4. chest pain

5. Breath shortening

6. Excessive dry cough

7. fainting

8. enlarged spleen

9. Headache

10. Tiredness or fatigue

Treatment

Treatment of anemia must strictly performed by a trained doctor.

First you must get you blood test done to be sure that you are anemic. Then consult a doctor and he will prescribe you medicines according to the cause of anemia. If you have a genetic disorder then the treatment will be of a different type than others. 

If you are anemic just because of deficiency of iron or vitamin B-12 then a simple tonic or medicine or even food items can be used to cure anemia. But if anemia is chronic then you need proper medical treatment.

Diagnosis

There are a number of tests present that can tell you about your haemoglobin levels but the most common test is CBC or Complete Blood Count. 

The CBC Test helps us by telling us about haemoglobin level in the blood, shape of haemoglobin molecule and hematocrit level of the blood. CBC test helps in testing other conditions like leukemia. If a person's haemoglobin level, RBC and hematocrit levels are lower than required, the person is likely to have some form of anemia. 

Risk Factors

People of all ages and all sexes are at a risk of anemia anytime. But there are some who are at a greater risk than others. Factors that increase the risk of getting the condition are as follows.

1.Having intestinal disorder that affects absorption of nutrients like Crohn's disease.

2. menstruations

3. pregnancy

4. childbirth

5. having family history of anemia

6. having been born prematurely

7. blood loss due to surgery or trauma or accident

8. Having a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis, heart failure, AIDS, kidney disease etc.

Conclusion

Anemia is generally not a life altering situation if treated in the earliest.

If you wait for the symptoms to become too strong, then you might be causing problems for yourself. If your haemoglobin levels go too low then you can be at a risk of heart attack or stroke. So take the necessary precautions and consult a doctor on the first sign of symptoms.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and fit and Stay tuned for more.

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