Anemia
Anemia is a condition caused by a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells in the body or hemoglobin, the main component of red blood cells responsible for the transfer of oxygen to the cells of the body, which leads to the lack of access to the body’s needs of oxygen .
The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics from 1993 to 2005 show that the proportion of people with anemia is 8,24 per cent of the population, with a prevalence of 4,47 per cent among pre-school children and the lowest among men 7 , 12%.
Symptoms of anemia associated with fatigue, dizziness, skin dyspnea, shortness of breath, chest aches, dizziness, cold hands and feet, headache, irregular heartbeat.
Causes of anemia
There are many types of anemia, different in terms of causes and methods of treatment, the most common iron deficiency anemia, which is easy to cure, and by modifying the diet and iron supplements. Some forms of anemia, such as anemia during pregnancy, are normal and do not need to worry. However, there are types of anemia that can cause health problems for life. Common types of anemia and its causes include:
- Iron deficiency anemia Iron deficiency is an essential part of the formation of hemoglobin of red blood cells. Without iron, blood can not effectively transport oxygen in the body. The body gets iron through the daily diet, and the amount of iron in the normal human is between 2000-3000 mg. The iron store is located in red blood cells in the form of hemoglobin. The body stores excess iron in the liver, spleen and bone marrow, which is an iron store when needed. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body’s iron stock is low. This can happen for several reasons: red blood cell and iron loss more than their production, inability to absorb iron, iron-rich foods, or bleeding Which results from long periods of menstruation, or bleeding from other diseases. Iron deficiency and iron-rich foods such as chicken, meat, liver, fish, turkey, lentils, peas, beans, bread, whole grains, raisins, plums, apricots, spinach and other vegetables are treated.
- Anemia caused by vitamin deficiency Vitamin Deficiency Anemia This type of anemia is caused by a lack of red blood cells due to the lack of certain vitamins in the body, including folic acid also known as vitamin B9, vitamin B12, and vitamin C. This deficiency occurs when foods rich in these vitamins are not eaten, such as fruits, green leafy vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, citrus, sweet peppers and tomatoes. The disease may also occur despite eating a diet rich in these vitamins when the body can not be absorbed by the presence of chronic diseases in the bowels caused by alcohol, or smoking, or remove a large part of the micro-surgical.
- Aesthetic anemia Aplastic anemia This disease is also called bone marrow failure, and it results when the bone marrow – a squamous tissue within the bone – fails to produce sufficient amounts of white, red blood cells and platelets. This disease may be genetically transmitted from parents to children, and may be acquired. The causes of anemia include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, especially in high concentration doses, exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene, infection with certain viruses, especially jaundice, or autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Anemia is a rare but serious disorder. Treatments include transfusion, blood transplantation, bone marrow cells, and medications.
- Anemia caused by hemolysis Hemolysis This group of anemia develops when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can produce new blood cells, and may occur due to exposure to infection, use of certain drugs, exposure to toxins, and certain immune reactions.
- One of the most common types of anemia is the disease caused by receiving blood from the wrong blood type, where the body begins to produce antibodies that destroy red blood cells. The options available for treating hemolytic anemia vary depending on the severity of the condition, the age, and the body’s receptivity to the drugs. Options for hemolytic anemia include blood transfusion, intravenous immunoglobulin, and surgeries.
- Sickle cell anemia Sickle cell anemia This type of anemia is sometimes severe and transmitted by heredity. It occurs as a result of an imbalance in the structure of hemoglobin, which makes the red blood cells shaped like a sickle, causing the atrophy of these cells and death prematurely, as they do not live more than a week One, while normal blood cells live 120 days, thus causing a chronic shortage of red blood cells, they lose their elasticity, leading to small capillaries clogging as they pass through the body. The child is born with sickle cell anemia; if the gene inherits the infection from both parents, the disease is easily diagnosed during routine tests immediately after birth. The only treatment available for this disease is bone marrow transplantation or stem cell transplantation.
- Anemia caused by a disease in the bone marrow Leukemia, myelodysplasia, and other diseases can cause the spinal cord to produce blood cells and anemia.
- Anemia is a symptom of chronic disease : Chronic diseases such as cancer, AIDS, gout, kidney failure and other chronic inflammatory diseases lead to a lack of red blood cells production, causing chronic anemia.
- Other types of anemia There are other rare types of anemia, which are rarer, such as Thalassemia, a genetic disorder in the blood caused by a mutation in DNA synthesis. The mutation causes a decrease in the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the body. Leading to anemia. There are several types of thalassemia including alpha thalassemia, intermedia beta thalassemia, and Mediterranean anemia. Thalassemia treatment depends on its type. Treatment includes frequent blood transfusions, bone marrow transplantation, and stem cell transplantation.
Complications of anemia
Of the complications and side effects of anemia are hyper-fatigue to the point of inability to do any effort, heart problems, nerve damage, change in cognitive state, and finally death.
Risk factors for anemia
The following factors increase the risk of anemia, including:
- Malnutrition : Eating foods poor in iron and vitamins, especially folic acid, lead to anemia, the body needs iron, protein, and vitamins to produce an adequate amount of red blood cells.
- Infections and intestinal disorders : Which affects the ability of the body to absorb vitamins and iron.
- Menstruation : Women of fertile age are more likely to have anemia due to loss of blood and iron during menstruation.
- Pregnancy : Pregnancy causes a shortage of iron stock in the body; because most of the iron stock needed by the fetus to grow.
- Chronic diseases : Such as cancer, renal failure, or any other chronic illness.
- DNA : A satisfactory family history of hereditary anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, which is a risk factor for anemia on a genetic basis.
Diagnosis of anemia
Anemia is diagnosed by studying the patient’s medical history, a thorough examination and blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), which tests the concentration of red blood cells and the level of hemoglobin in the blood. The normal values of human red blood cells range from 40-52% in males to 35-47% in females, while normal hemoglobin in adults ranges from 14-18 grams per deciliter in males and between 12-16 grams per deciliter Females. Cells are also examined under microscope and studied in terms of size, shape, and color.
Prevention of anemia
Most anemia is non-preventable, but iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia can be prevented by balanced and varied nutrition, regular blood tests, and smoking and alcohol abstinence.