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.
Microcytic Anemia
Microcytic Anemia refers to a class of blood disorders in which the RBCs appear smaller than normal under microscopic examination and the mean corpuscular volume (abbreviated to MCV) is less than 80 femtoliters. The MCV is a measure of the red blood cell size and a MCV of 90 is considered normal. Research on this condition has revealed that microcytic anemia is usually caused by insufficient iron intake in the diet or by defects in the process of synthesis of hemoglobin. One of the most common mechanisms for the lack of hemoglobin in microcytic anemia is the division of cells in bone marrow that does not stop when it should and goes on longer than usual. This results in the small blood cells characteristic of this condition.
Microcytic Anemia
Some other diseases related to the blood like sickle-cell disease and thalassemia are usually indicted in the lower levels of hemoglobin. Microcytic anemia may also be caused by iron deficiency (also called Iron Deficiency Anemia or IDA) which is normally a major suspect due to its wider prevalence and greater incidence.
Statistics show that microcytic anemia is most prevalent in children since the single most common cause of anemia in children is low iron levels that leads to small red blood cells. Most pediatricians follow a standard regime of daily iron-vitamin for a month for children who exhibit uncomplicated microcytic anemia. This one-month therapeutic iron trial is followed by a recheck of the blood counts. If the blood counts have gone up, iron deficiency anemia is confirmed and treatment can then proceed. In case the blood counts remain static even after one month, then further, more detailed testing is resorted to. This more thorough testing regime will usually include a complete blood cell count, the iron level and the total iron binding capacity (TIBC) along with ferritin level measurements and a reticulocyte count. The test that measures the reticulocyte hemoglobin count is very sensitive and the drop in this parameter occurs very early in case of an iron deficiency. This drop signifies the onset of iron deficiency anemia even before the patient exhibits any symptoms of microcytic anemia.
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.