Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells
to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues
Symptoms
Anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the
cause. If the anemia is caused by a chronic disease, the
disease can mask them, so that the anemia might be
detected by tests for another condition.
Types of Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Most common type of anemia
Caused by a shortage of iron in your body
Without iron supplementation, this type of anemia occurs in
many pregnant women.
It is also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy menstrual
bleeding, an ulcer, cancer and regular use of some over-the-
counter pain relievers, especially aspirin, which can cause
inflammation of the stomach lining resulting in blood loss.
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
Besides iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to
produce enough healthy red blood cells
A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients can cause
decreased red blood cell production
Also, some people who consume enough B-12 aren't able to
absorb the vitamin. This can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia,
also known as pernicious anemia
Anemia of inflammation
Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid
arthritis, kidney disease and other acute or chronic
inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of
red blood cells.
Aplastic anemia
This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body
doesn't produce enough red blood cells. Causes of aplastic
anemia include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune
diseases and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Anemias associated with bone marrow disease
A variety of diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can
cause anemia by affecting blood production in your bone marrow.
The effects of these types of cancer and cancer-like disorders
vary from mild to life-threatening.
Hemolytic anemias
This group of anemias develops when red blood cells are
destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. Certain
blood diseases increase red blood cell destruction. You can
inherit a hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it later in life.
Sickle cell anemia
This inherited and sometimes serious condition is
a hemolytic anemia. It's caused by a defective
form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to
assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape.
These irregular blood cells die prematurely,
resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells.
Risk Factors
• A diet lacking in certain vitamins and minerals: A diet
consistently low in iron, vitamin B-12 and folate increases
your risk of anemia.
• Intestinal disorders: Having an intestinal disorder that affects
the absorption of nutrients in your small intestine such as
Crohn's disease and celiac disease puts you at risk of anemia.
• Menstruation: In general, women who haven't had
menopause have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than
do men and postmenopausal women. Menstruation causes the
loss of red blood cells.
• Pregnancy: If you're pregnant and aren't taking a multivitamin
with folic acid and iron, you're at an increased risk of anemia.
• Chronic conditions: If you have cancer, kidney failure, diabetes
or another chronic condition, you could be at risk of anemia of
chronic disease. These conditions can lead to a shortage of red
blood cells.
Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other source within
your body can deplete your body's store of iron, leading to iron
deficiency anemia.
• Family history: If your family has a history of an inherited
anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, you also might be at
increased risk of the condition.
• Other factors: A history of certain infections, blood diseases
and autoimmune disorders increases your risk of anemia.
Alcoholism, exposure to toxic chemicals, and the use of some
medications can affect red blood cell production and lead to
anemia.
• Age: People over age 65 are at increased risk of anemia.
Complications
• Severe fatigue. Severe anemia can make you so tired that you can't complete
everyday tasks.
• Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women with folate deficiency anemia
may be more likely to have complications, such as premature birth.
• Heart problems. Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat
(arrhythmia). When you're anemic your heart must pump more blood to make
up for the lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or
heart failure.
• Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-
threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute,
severe anemia and can be fatal.
Prevention
Many types of anemia can't be prevented. But you can
avoid iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency
anemias by eating a diet that includes a variety of
vitamins and minerals
• Iron: Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils,
iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit.
• Folate: This nutrient, and its synthetic form folic acid, can be
found in fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green
peas, kidney beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products, such as
bread, cereal, pasta and rice.
• Vitamin B-12: Foods rich in vitamin B-12 include meat, dairy
products, and fortified cereal and soy products.
• Vitamin C: Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices,
peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons and strawberries. These also
help increase iron absorption.
