Anemia

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Anemia is a general term for conditions characterized by an inadequate oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, and therefore an insufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues. The classic symptoms include fatigue, paleness, general breathlessness, difficulty breathing during activity, and heart palpitations. Dizziness, headache, an unsettled stomach, poor appetite, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, and heart murmur may also occur.

Following are different types of anemia:

Sickle cell anemia: is a severe form of anemia found most commonly in people of African heritage, although it can affect those of Caucasian, Saudi Arabian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent. In this condition, the hemoglobin forms long rods when it gives up its oxygen, stretching red blood cells into abnormal sickle shapes. This leads to premature destruction of RBCs, chronically low levels of hemoglobin, and recurring episodes of pain, as well as problems that can affect virtually every other organ system in the body. About 1 out of every 625 African-American children is born with this form of anemia.

Thalassemia:, which usually affects people of Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent, is marked by abnormal and short-lived RBCs. Thalassemia major, also called Cooley's anemia, is a severe form of anemia in which RBCs are rapidly destroyed and iron is deposited in the skin and vital organs. Thalassemia minor involves only mild anemia and minimal red blood cell changes.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA):. IDA is the most common type of anemia. IDA happens when you don't have enough iron in your body. You need iron to make hemoglobin. This can happen when you lose blood from problems like heavy periods, ulcers, colon polyps, or colon cancer. A diet that doesn't have enough iron in it can also cause IDA. Pregnancy can also cause IDA if there's not enough iron for the mother and fetus. You can get iron from foods like ground beef, clams, spinach, lentils, baked potato with skin, sunflower seeds, and cashews.

Aplastic anemia: This rare problem happens when your body doesn't make enough red blood cells. Since this affects the white blood cells too, there is a higher risk for infections and bleeding that can't be stopped. This can be caused by many things: cancer treatments (radiation or chemotherapy) exposure to toxic chemicals (like those used in some insecticides, paint, and household cleaners) some drugs (like those that treat rheumatoid arthritis) autoimmune diseases (like lupus) viral infection that affects bone marrow o bone marrow diseases The treatment depends on how serious the anemia is. It can be treated with blood transfusions, medicines, or a bone marrow transplant.

Hemolytic anemia: It is a separate constellation of symptoms (also featuring jaundice and elevated LDH levels) with numerous potential causes. It can be autoimmune, immune, hereditary or mechanical (e.g. heart surgery). It can result (because of cell fragmentation) in a microcytic anemia, a normochromic anemia, or (because of premature release of immature red blood cells from the bone marrow), a macrocytic anemia.

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