Anemia
What is Anemia? Anemia is a deficiency of
red blood cells or hemoglobin in the
blood. The word anemia comes from two
Greek roots, together meaning "without
blood." At the beginning of the
nineteenth century, "anemia" referred to
the pallor of the skin and mucous
membranes. After medical science advanced,
blood cell counts could be done.
Anemia became the disease we know today.
Symptoms of Anemia Mild anemia
may have no outer symptoms. Weakness, fatigue,
and pallor are very common
symptom. Symptoms of severe anemia are shortness of
breath, rapid heartbeat,
lightheadedness, headache, ringing in the ears,
irritability, restless leg
syndrome, mental confusion, dizziness, fainting, and
dimmed vision. Types of
Anemia Iron deficiency anemia- the most common type of
anemia; occurs because
of low iron levels. Folic acid deficiency anemia- levels
of folic acid are
low because of inadequate dietary intake or faulty absorption.
Pernicious
anemia- inability of the body to properly absorb vitamin B12.
Hemolytic
anemia- red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. Sickle cell
anemia-
inherited abnormality of hemoglobin; occurs mainly in people of
African or
Mediterranean decent. Thalassemia anemia- inherited disorder
in the synthesis of
hemoglobin. Aplastic anemia- decreased bone marrow
production. Diagnosis of
Anemia Determining the cause of anemia is very
important because it may be the
sign of a very serious illness. A physician
should ask about family history of
anemia, gallbladder disease, jaundice, and
enlarged spleen. A stool test should
be done and the physician should check
for swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged
spleen, and pallor. Laboratory tests can
test both the numbers of red blood
cells as well as look at their appearance.
Treatments of Anemia Because there
are so many different types of anemia as
well as causes, treatments vary widely.
If the type of anemia results
from a vitamin deficiency and there is no
underlying cause, treatment is
simple. Vitamin supplements can be taken or a
change in diet can be made.
Transfusions and bone marrow transplants for some
other types of anemia can
be made. New drugs are currently being tested to help
anemic
patients.
Bibliography
http://www.healthy.net/library/books/healthyself/womens/anemia.htm
http://www.webmd.lycos.com/content/dmk/dmk_article_5461922
http://www.sleeptight.com/EncyMaster/A/anemia.html
http://www.sleeptight.com/EncyMaster/S/sickle_cell.html
Understanding
Anemia by Ed Uthman, MD (from:
http://www.neosoft.com/~uthman/unanemia/unanemia_ch1.html)