INFORMATION ON ANEMIA

Anemia, one of the more common blood disorders, occurs when the level of healthy red blood cells in the body becomes too low. This can lead to health problems because red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body's tissues. Anemia can cause a variety of complications, including fatigue and stress on bodily organs.

Anemia can be caused three main bodily mechanisms that are:
1. Excessive destruction of red blood cells.
2. Blood loss.
3. Inadequate production of red blood cells.

SYNONYMS OF ANEMIA

Synonyms and related keywords:

1. Fanconi anemia.
2. Constitutional aplastic anemia.
3. Bone marrow failure.
4. Myelodysplastic syndrome.
5. Radial ray anomalies.
6. Genitourinary problems.
7. Petechiae, bruises.

CAUSES OF ANEMIA

Main causes of Anemia are:

1. Excessive bleeding such as hemorrhages or abnormal menstrual bleeding.
2. Chronic illness secondary to refractory anemia.
3. Cancer therapy such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
4. Replacement of bone marrow with cancer.
5. Breakdown or destruction of red blood cells.
6. Decreased red cell production due to low levels of erythropoietin.

SYMPTOMS OF ANEMIA

Symptoms of Anemia are:

1. Fatigue.
2. Weakness.
3. Fainting.
4. Breathlessness.
5. Heart palpitations.
6. Dizziness.
7. Headache.
8. Ringing in the ears.
9. Difficulty sleeping.

DIAGNOSIS OF ANEMIA

Anemia is diagnosed from the patient's symptoms A blood test is done that measures the level of hemoglobin in the blood and other substances such as folic acid, bilirubin and vitamin B12. Diagnosis includes a bone marrow biopsy, which is the removal of bone marrow for further examination under a microscope.

TREATMENT OF ANEMIA

Treatment depends upon whether an individual is not getting enough iron in the diet; not absorbing iron; or losing small amounts over time due to anything from alcoholic gastritis to medication abuse to tumors. The doctor will often recommend iron-rich foods such as liver, seafood, dried fruits, lima beans, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and blackstrap molasses or iron pills. In the more severe cases of iron deficiency anemia caused by blood loss, surgery, blood transfusions or hormone injections may be recommended.

Treatment may include:

1. Treatment Of The Causative Disease.
2. Vitamin And Mineral Supplements.
3. Change In Diet.
4. Medication.
5. Blood Transfusion.
6. Bone Marrow Transplant.
7. Surgery, Antibiotics.