Blood Diseases

Anemias

Overview of Anemia

What is anemia?

Anemia is a common blood disorder, which is caused when there is a drop in hemoglobin or hematocrit in the blood.

hemoglobin - the part of blood that distributes oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body.
hematocrit - the measurement of the percentage of red blood cells found in a specific volume of blood.

Anemia is often a symptom of a disease rather than a disease itself. Anemia usually develops because of one of these general categories:

excessive blood loss or hemorrhaging
deficient production of red cells
excessive red cell destruction
both decreased production and excessive destruction of red cells

What are the symptoms of anemia?

Most symptoms of anemia are a result of the decrease of oxygen in the cells or "hypoxia." Because red blood cells, as hemoglobin, carry oxygen, a decreased production or number of these cells result in "hypoxia." Many of the symptoms will not be present with mild anemia, as the body can often compensate for gradual changes in hemoglobin.

The following are the most common symptoms of anemia. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin
increased heart rate (tachycardia)
breathlessness, or difficulty catching a breath (dyspnea)
lack of energy, or tiring easily (fatigue)
dizziness, or vertigo, especially when standing
headache
irritability
irregular menstruation cycles
absent or delayed menstruation (amenorrhea)
sore or swollen tongue (glossitis)
jaundice, or yellowing of skin, eyes, and mouth
enlarged spleen or liver (splenomegaly, hepatomegaly)
impaired wound and tissue healing

The symptoms of anemia may resemble other blood disorders or medical problems. Because anemia is often a symptom associated with another disease, it is important for your physician to be aware of symptoms you may be experiencing. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

What causes anemia?

Generally, anemia may be caused by several problems, including the following:

infections
certain diseases
certain medications
poor nutrition
blood loss

What are the different types of anemia?

There are several different types of anemia, each with a specific cause and treatment, including the following:

iron-deficiency anemia
megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia
anemia of folate deficiency
hemolytic anemia
sickle cell anemia
Cooley's anemia (beta thalassemia)
aplastic anemia
chronic anemia

How is anemia diagnosed?

Anemia is usually discovered during a medical examination through a routine blood test. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for anemia may include additional blood tests and other evaluation procedures.

Treatment for anemia:

Specific treatment for anemia will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

treatment of the causative disease
vitamin and mineral supplements
change in diet
medication
blood transfusion
bone marrow transplant
surgery (to remove the spleen, if related to hemolytic anemia)
antibiotics (if an infection is the causative agent)

This page was last updated on: January 30, 2008.

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