Anemia
Hemoglobin carries an iron-carrying hemoglobin that transfers oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. Red blood cells are therefore important to human life. Red blood cell counts are known as anemia. That the incidence of anemia in the world is about 25%, and in fact there are more than 400 types of anemia, but can be classified into three main groups; the first group where anemia occurs because of the lack of production of the body sufficient number of red blood cells, Or the production of abnormal red blood cells, The second group is attributed to anemia in which the red blood cells are broken more than the normal limit, and the latter group produces anemia in which blood loss bleeding and the like.
Causes of anemia
The causes of anemia can be classified according to the main group to which it belongs:
- Anemia caused by blood loss or bleeding: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of blood loss anemia. Blood loss can be as rapid as bleeding from surgery, Fetus, or accidents, or rupture of blood vessel, may be chronic bleeding and occurs over long periods of time as in stomach ulcers, tumors, cancers, it should be noted that chronic bleeding is more common than acute. Other reasons for this group include:
- Gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis and hemorrhoids.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
- Menstrual bleeding.
- Anemia caused by a defect in the production of red blood cells: Among the causes of anemia that fall within this group are the following:
- Sickle cell anemia. In this type of anemia, the red blood cells are produced in an abnormal way resembling a crescent. These cells have the ability to break down very quickly and can be attached to the walls of small blood vessels Causing pain.
- Iron Deficiency Anemia may cause red blood cell production due to lack of iron needed by the body to form red blood cells. Iron deficiency may occur as a result of malnutrition, recurrent blood donation, or menstrual cycle, Or gastrointestinal problems such as Crohn’s disease, the removal of part of the digestive system, and others.
- Bone marrow disease, which is responsible for the production of red blood cells with leukemia, leads to an imbalance in the production of red blood cells and thus anemia, as well as the presence of stem cells in small numbers or Its absence is caused by what is known as Aplastic Anemia. Thalassemia, also called Thalassemia, may occur because the red blood cells do not mature and mature properly.
- Vitamin deficiency anemia: A deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folic acid causes anemia, because vitamin B12 and folic acid are important for the production of red blood cells, and anemia is caused by vitamin deficiency. (Megaloblastic anemia), and anemic anemia (known as Pernicious anemia).
- Red blood cell anemia: In normal conditions, red blood cells live 120 days from the moment they are produced, and then the body gets rid of them, but in cases of anemia caused by breaking red blood cells, the body gets rid of red blood cells before reaching 120 days in a process known as hemolysis ), And the reasons for this are as follows:
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The immune system attacks the red blood cells and breaks them.
- Some types of antibiotics.
- Toxic substances resulting from advanced stages of kidney and liver disease.
- Severe Hypertension (Severe Hypertension).
- Enlargement of the spleen.
- Infections.
- Prosthetic heart valves.
- Problems with blood clotting.
- Snake venom and spider.
Treatment of anemia
The treatment of anemia depends on the treatment of the cause, and the following treatment of the most common cases of anemia:
- Iron deficiency anemia: Treatment of anemia due to iron deficiency depends on changing the pattern of food and taking iron supplements. It is worth noting that bleeding must be stopped and controlled in cases where bleeding is the cause of this type of anemia, with the exception of menstrual bleeding.
- Anemia caused by vitamin deficiency: Vitamin B-12 and folic acid anemia can be treated with food-rich foods and supplements. Vitamin B12 should be given in the form of injections. The injection is given every two days at the beginning of the treatment, then once a month. His life.
- Anemia caused by chronic diseases: In these cases, the doctor’s effort is focused on treating the pathogenic disease if possible, and may be used for blood transfusions. It may also be used to give injections of the synthetic Erythropoietin (Erythropoietin), which acts as the body’s naturally occurring hormone erythropoietin Stimulates the process of production of red blood cells, and relieves the feeling of tiredness and exhaustion caused by anemia, it should be noted that the secretion of this hormone is done by the kidneys.
- Aesthetic anemia: In these cases, the treatment depends on the degree of bone marrow injury. If the bone marrow is damaged and can not produce healthy cells, the best treatment is by bone marrow transplant, but if the disease is not severe, the doctor may only perform transplants Blood from time to time.
- Bone marrow disease: The treatment is carried out using certain types of drugs, chemotherapy and may be used for bone marrow transplantation.
- Hemolytic anemia: If the infection is the cause of hemolytic anemia, the treatment controls the problem of anemia, and is advised to refrain from taking drugs that cause hemolytic anemia if it has already caused, and also must be given immunosuppressive drugs in cases where the immune system attacks red blood cells Causing damage. Spleen, blood transfusion or plasma extraction (Plasmapheresis), in which blood filtering and purification is performed, may be used.
- Sickle cell anemia: Treatment of sickle cell anemia is intended to relieve pain and to avoid complications. Treatment is based on administering oxygen, analgesic drugs, oral fluids or injections. Doctors may take antibiotics, supplements, hydroxyurea, and blood transfusions and bone marrow transplantation.
- Thalassemia: Thalassemia can be controlled through blood transfusions, dispensing of medicines and supplements, as well as the possibility of splenectomy, and bone marrow transplants.
Prevention of anemia
Iron and vitamin deficiency anemia can be prevented by a healthy diet, careful eating iron-rich foods and vitamins needed to produce red blood cells, as well as treating diseases causing anemia to prevent anemia or avoid returning again. The doctor about all the symptoms and signs that suffer to help solve the problem and prevent the recurrence of the future.