This is one of the more common blood disorders, it will occur when the level of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the body becomes too low. As a result, your blood is low on red blood cells to carry oxygen to carry oxygen to your tissues, which leaves you tired. Some inherited anemias, for instance, sickle cell anemia, can be serious enough to be life-threatening. Losing lots of blood rapidly results in acute, severe anemia and can be fatal.
Anemia is able to be caused by numerous things, but three main bodily mechanisms that will produce it are: blood loss, excessive destruction of RBCs and inadequate production of RBCs.
Anemia Symptoms
In a person with anemia, symptoms will include tiredness and weakness because the body's tissues are being starved of oxygen. As a matter of fact, fatigue is the main symptom of most types of anemia and the severity of anemia symptoms is partly related to the severity of anemia.
Anemia Symptoms
In a person suffering from anemia, symptoms that usually manifest themselves include:
(a) Fatigue
(b) Weakness
(c) Fainting
(d) Breathlessness
(e) Heart palpitations (rapid or irregular beating)
(f) Dizziness
(g) Headache
(h) Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
(i) Difficulty sleeping
(j) Difficulty concentrating
Other signs and anemia symptoms may include :
(a) Pale complexion
(b) The normally red lining of the mouth and eyelids fades in color
(c) Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) usually defined as a rate greater than 100 beats per minute.
(d) Abnormal menstruation (either absence of periods or increased bleeding)
(e) Spoon-shaped finger nails and toenails in iron-deficiency anemia
(f) Mild Jaundice that may be caused by obstruction of bile passage-ways, excessive destruction of red blood cells or a disturbance in the liver in hemolytic anemia
g) Leg ulcers in sickle cell anemia
Some specific forms of anemia and symptoms are:
Anemia caused by iron deficiency
-Hunger for strange substances such as paper, ice, or dirt (a condition called pica).
-Upward curvature of the nails referred to as koilonychias.
-Soreness of the mouth with cracks at the corners.
Anemia caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency
-A tingling, "pins and needles" sensation in the hands or feet.
-Loss of sense of touch.
-A wobbly gait and difficulty walking.
-Clumsiness and stiffness of the arms and legs.
-Dementia
-Hallucinations, paranoia and schizophrenia.
Anemia caused by chronic lead poisoning
-A blue-black line on the gums referred to as a lead line.
-Abdominal pain
-Constipation
-Vomiting
Anemia caused by chronic red blood cell destruction
-Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
-Brown or red urine
-Leg ulcers
-Failure to thrive in infancy
-Symptoms of gallstones
Sickle cell anemia
-Fatigue
-Susceptibility to infection
-Delayed growth and development in children
-Episodes of severe pain, especially in the joints, abdomen and limbs.
Anemia caused by sudden red blood cell destruction
-Abdominal pain
-Brown or red urine
-Jaundice (yellow skin)
-Small bruises under the skin.
-Seizures
-Symptoms of kidney failure.
Iron deficiency anemia
-Paleness
-Weakness
-Tiredness
-Chest pains (in severe cases)
-Shortness of breath (in severe cases)
-Heart palpitations (in severe cases)
-An increased heart rate especially during exertion (in severe cases)
-Rapid breathing
-Low blood pressure
The anemia symptoms of vitamin B12 anemia are similar to those of iron deficiency anemia but can also cause:
-Jaundice
-Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
-Equilibrium difficulties
-Confusion
-Personality changes and depression
Anemia Types
Presently, more than half of the world’s population will experience some form of anemia in their lifetime.
Anemia Symptoms
Symptoms will include tiredness and weakness because the body's tissues are being starved of oxygen.
Signs and Symptoms of Anemia
If we are aware of the signs and symptoms of anemia, we can crush it more easily.
Causes of Anemia
Broadly, the most causes of anemic can be classified into three major mechanisms.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
The production of these 'auto-antibodies' is triggered by a malfunction of the body's immune system.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
IDA is probably the most commonly encountered form of anemia.
Causes Hemolytic Anemia
There are many different types and causes of hemolytic anemia.
Anemia Treatment
Whenever possible, the underlying cause dictates the anemia treatment most appropriate.
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell Anemia is profoundly a critical type of anemia.
Statistics on Sickle Cell Anemia
Some detailed prevalence statistics on sickle cell anemia are as follows...
Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment
This process produces periodic episodes of pain and ultimately can damage...
Pregnancy and Anemia
Broadly speaking, pregnancy and anemia go hand in hand in most of the cases.
Infant Anemia
Infant anemia is nothing but an inkling of the negligence of adults.
Anemia in Children
Anemia in children is usually detected by the family physician during routine blood work...
Chronic Kidney Anemia
In most people with chronic kidney disease, anemia development is almost always observed.
Hemolytic Anemia
The characteristic symptoms of HA result from the degree of anemia, the sites of destruction...
Aplastic Anemia
The term 'Aplastic Anemia' refers to a condition in which the body stops producing...
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia is a chronic illness caused by...
Microcytic Anemia
Research on this condition has revealed that microcytic anemia is usually caused by...
Fanconi Anemia
Fanconi anemia, a very rare type of anemia, is an inherited genetic disease.
Incidentally hypertension is uncommon in patients suffering from anemia. Hypertension is high blood pressure and, as mentioned above, one of the symptoms of anemia is in fact low blood pressure. Encouraging lifestyle changes and medications like Micardis are sometimes perscribed to fight high blood pressure.