•Title: Understanding Anaemia
•Subtitle: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
•Lecturer: Sraboni Sarkar (Chaity)
•Date : 19-12-2024
What is Anemia?
• Definition: Anemia is a condition where you lack
enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate
oxygen to your body’s tissues.
• Function of Red Blood Cells: Red blood cells
contain hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and
transports it throughout the body.
• Key Point: Anemia is not a single disease but a
group of disorders with common characteristics.
Types of Anemia
• Iron-Deficiency Anemia:
• Caused by a lack of iron in the body, leading to a decrease in
hemoglobin.
• Vitamin Deficiency Anemia:
• Results from insufficient vitamin B12 or folic acid, which are necessary
for red blood cell production.
• Aplastic Anemia:
• A rare condition where the body stops producing enough red blood cells.
• Hemolytic Anemia:
• Occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made.
• Sickle Cell Anemia:
• A genetic disorder causing abnormally shaped red blood cells that can
block blood flow.
Causes of Anemia
• Dietary Deficiencies: Lack of iron, vitamin B12, or folic
acid.
• Chronic Diseases: Kidney disease, cancer, or diabetes can
interfere with red blood cell production.
• Genetics: Sickle cell anemia or thalassemia are inherited
conditions.
• Blood Loss: Heavy menstrual periods, gastrointestinal
bleeding, or trauma.
• Bone Marrow Problems: Diseases like leukemia or
myelodysplastic syndrome can affect blood cell
production.
Symptoms of Anemia
• Fatigue and Weakness: Feeling tired even after rest.
• Paleness: Skin, gums, and nail beds may appear paler
than usual.
• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, especially
during physical activity.
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Faintness can occur due
to low oxygen levels.
• Cold Hands and Feet: Poor circulation due to low red
blood cell count.
• Chest Pain: Severe cases can lead to chest pain or
irregular heartbeats.
Diagnosing Anemia
• Blood Tests:
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures the number
of red blood cells, hemoglobin level, and other factors.
• RBC Count: Measures how many new red blood cells
the bone marrow is producing.
• Iron Studies: To check iron levels in the body.
• Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels: To determine
deficiencies.
• Bone Marrow Biopsy: In rare cases, to evaluate
blood cell production.
Treatment of Anemia
• Iron Supplements: For iron-deficiency anemia.
• Vitamin B12 or Folate Supplements: For vitamin
deficiency anemias.
• Blood Transfusions: In severe cases of anemia or
hemolytic anemia.
• Bone Marrow Stimulating Drugs: To boost red blood cell
production.
• Medications: For conditions like sickle cell anemia,
hydroxyurea may be used.
• Dietary Changes: Eating iron-rich foods (e.g., red meat,
spinach) and B12-rich foods (e.g., eggs, dairy).
Iron deficiency anemia
• Iron-deficiency anemia is anemia caused by a lack of iron.
Anemia is defined as a decrease in the number of red blood
cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. When onset is
slow, symptoms are often vague such as feeling tired, weak,
short of breath, or having decreased ability to exercise.
• Symptoms: Feeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath,
confusion, pallor
• Treatment: Dietary changes, medications, surgery
• Causes: Iron deficiency
• Complications: Heart failure, arrhythmias, frequent infections
• Diagnostic method: Blood tests
• Frequency: 1.48 billion
Effects of Aneamia
•Questions & Discussion
