OVERVIEW
Anemia is a kind of blood disorder. Blood is a crucial liquid that your heart continually circulates through your veins, arteries, and throughout your body. When anything goes wrong in your bloodstream, it can have an impact on your health and quality of life.
There are several forms of anemia, including iron-deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, aplastic anemia, and hemolytic anemia. The many kinds of anemia are connected to a variety of illnesses and disorders.
People of different and various races, ages, and ethnicities can be affected by anemia. Some varieties of anemia are quite prevalent, while others are extremely rare. Some are extremely minor, while others are severe or even fatal if not treated promptly. The good news is that anemia is frequently treatable and even preventable.
CAUSES
- Anemia occurs when your body produces insufficient red blood cells (RBCs), kills insufficient RBCs, or loses insufficient RBCs. Hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen throughout the body, is found in RBCs. When you don’t have enough RBCs or have a low hemoglobin level in your blood, your body doesn’t obtain enough oxygen. As a result, you may experience fatigue or other symptoms.
- Other types of blood cells, such as white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets, are depleted in some forms of anemia, such as aplastic anemia. WBCs aid your body’s immune system in fighting infections. Platelets aid in the clotting of your blood, which helps to halt bleeding.
- Anemia can be caused by a variety of illnesses, disorders, and other causes. Anemia, for example, can arise during pregnancy if the body is unable to fulfill the increased demand for RBCs. Certain autoimmune illnesses and other ailments might cause your body to produce proteins that kill RBCs, resulting in anemia. Anemia can result from excessive internal or external bleeding, such as after an injury, since your body loses too many RBCs.
- Anemia can be caused by either acquired or hereditary factors. The term “acquired” refers to the fact that you are not born with the ailment, but instead develop it. “Inherited” signifies that your parents passed on the condition’s gene to you. Anemia’s etiology is sometimes unknown.
SYMPTOMS
- Fatigue or weakness
- Skin that is pale or yellowish
- Increased thirst
- Sweating
- Dizziness or faintness
- Cramps in the lower legs
- Breathing difficulty
- Rapid and weak pulse
- Breathing quickly
- Symptoms of heart disease (abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, heart murmur, enlarged heart)
DIAGNOSIS
Anemia can be discovered in a variety of ways. You may experience symptoms and visit your doctor, who will conduct blood tests to diagnose anemia. Alternatively, your doctor may discover you have anemia as a consequence of testing performed for another cause. Also, you can get prescriptions online by getting yourself checked.
Your doctor will most likely inquire about your medical and family history, do a physical examination, and propose tests or treatments to determine whether you have anemia, what is causing it, and how severe it is. This information will assist your doctor in treating the anemia as well as the underlying reason. Because most anemias are curable, a correct diagnosis is critical.
- Medical and family history
Your doctor will be interested in knowing your symptoms, including their duration. If you have ever experienced a condition that can cause anemia, he or she may also inquire. Additionally, you can be questioned about your food, any medications or dietary supplements you use, and whether or not you have a family history of anemia or diseases connected to anemia.
- Physical examination
A physical examination can establish the presence of symptoms and reveal any potential organ or body system involvement. Your doctor may examine your skin, gums, and nail beds as part of a physical examination, looking for any bleeding or infection. To check for internal bleeding, he or she might feel your abdomen, listen to your heart and lungs, or perform a pelvic or rectal exam.
- Tests and Procedures
To determine the kind and degree of any anemia you may have, your doctor will advise testing. A complete blood count (CBC), which offers vital data about your blood, is frequently the first test performed. Your doctor might suggest more blood or bone marrow testing based on the CBC results (the soft tissue inside bones that makes blood cells).
TREATMENT
Most of the time, anemia is treatable. Depending on the type of anemia you have, its underlying cause, and its severity, your doctor will determine the best course of action.
The main objectives of treatment include:
- Increase your RBC count or hemoglobin level to increase the capacity of your blood to carry oxygen.
- Take care of the underlying issue that’s causing your anemia.
- Avoid anemia-related complications including heart or nerve damage.
- Reduce discomfort and raise your standard of living
You might not need therapy if you have mild or moderate anemia and don’t have any symptoms, or if your anemia isn’t getting worse. Dietary modifications and nutritional supplements are used to treat some anemias. Treatment for further anemias may involve drugs, procedures, surgery, or blood transfusions (for severe anemia).
PREVENTING OR CONTROLLING ANAEMIA
Anemia can be prevented or managed with the right measures. Your health and quality of life will both improve as a result of these efforts, giving you more energy. Here are some quick actions you can do.
- Maintain a Healthful Diet
Maintaining a nutritious diet guarantees that you acquire the nutrients your body requires to produce healthy blood cells. Iron, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin C are some of these nutrients. These nutrients are found in a variety of foods. Your general health will benefit from eating healthfully.
- Work with your doctor
If you experience any anemia-related symptoms or signs, see a doctor. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for food, vitamins, medications, and other therapies if you have been diagnosed with anemia.
Inform your doctor of any new or changing symptoms when you visit periodically for checkups and continued care.
Severe anemia in older kids and teenagers may raise the risk of injury or illness. Consult your doctor to learn how to keep them as healthy as possible and whether any activities should be avoided.
To prevent or manage iron-deficiency anemia, girls and women with heavy menstrual cycles may require routine testing and follow-up visits with their doctors.
- Avoid substances that can cause or trigger it
Some types of anemia can be brought on by exposure to environmental pollutants or chemicals. Some meals or chilly temperatures might cause other types of anemia. However, you can always try to avoid these triggering points if you have any form of anemia.
You should try to lower your risk of contracting an infection if you have certain types of anemia. Wash your hands frequently, avoid contact with sick people, and avoid crowded areas to do.
- Talk to your family
Some anemias, including thalassemia, pernicious anemia, and Fanconi anemia, can be inherited. Speak to your family if you have been diagnosed with one of these anemias.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Knowing what you can do to take the best possible care of yourself is crucial. Choosing what is best for you should be a joint decision between you and your healthcare provider. If you need assistance creating a diet that will increase your intake of iron, use the chance to request a referral to a trained dietitian. Make sure you address all of your concerns so that you may proceed with confidence.
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