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An anemic person appears pale and pants
for breadth. Anemia is a condition where the physical body do
not have sufficient healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to the
body tissues. Hence, the heavy breathing.
Our blood consists of cells and plasma.
Within the plasma, are 3 types of blood cells:
White blood cells which fight infections;
Platelets which help blood to clot after
a cut; and
Red blood cells which transport oxygen from the lungs to the brain and other organs.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin which
enables red blood cells to transport oxygen from the lungs to all parts
of the body.
Most blood cells, including red ones, are
produced in the bone marrow. To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells,
the body needs iron, minerals, protein and vitamins from our daily food
intake.
There are many types of anemia and it can
be temporary or long term, and can range from mild to severe.
Signs and Symptoms of an Anemic Person
Types and Causes of Anemia
Iron-deficiency Anemia:
Lack of iron in the body affect the
production of hemoglobin for red blood cells which lead to this anemic
condition.
It can be due to consuming food which is
poor in iron content. Consume green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans,
apricots and red meat which contain iron.
In females, iron-deficiency anemia can be
caused by heavy menstrual flow, pregnancy and abnormal growth in
uterus. Thus it is recommended that teenage girls take an iron
supplement containing Vitamin C to aid absorption.
Chronic blood loss from a bleeding ulcer
or tumor of the gastrointestinal tract can cause iron-deficiency
anemia.
Vitamin-deficiency Anemia:
Lack of vitamins, especially Vitamin B12
and Folate, affect the production of healthy red blood cells.
Chronic Anemia due Chronic diseases:
Chronic diseases such as cancer,
rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney failure can affect the production of
red blood cells, resulting in chronic anemia.
Aplastic Anemia:
This is very rare but life-threatening.
This occurs when the bone marrow is unable to produce all the 3 types
of blood cells.
Hemolytic Anemia:
The rate of red blood cells being
destroyed faster than normal, causes hemolytic anemia.
Certain medications can also cause this
condition.
Thalassaemia:
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood
disorder characterized by low hemoglobin and red blood cells count.
Diagnosis of Anemia
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Blood Tests:
Blood tests which include a complete
blood count to determine cell component of the blood, their numbers,
size, shape and color. For example, in Iron-deficiency Anemia, red
blood cells are smaller and paler in color than normal. In
Vitamin-deficiency Anemia, red blood cells are enlarged and fewer in
numbers.
Upon confirming an Anemic case, further
tests need to be carried out to determine the cause. For example,
Iron-deficiency Anemia can be due to bleeding of the stomach or colon.
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Physical Examination:
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Upper Endoscopy to examine the stomach;
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Colonoscopy to examine the large
intestine;
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Ultrasound to study the body structures;
and
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Perform Biopsy on the Bone Marrow.
Treatment of Anemia
Avoidable Anemia
Unavoidable Anemia
If it is a heavy than normal menstrual
bleed, see a Gynecologist to check the cause;
Immediately see a doctor if there is any
blood discharge;
If it is caused by a chronic disease or
diseases, deal with the underlying medical problem first; and
Other types of anemia may need frequent
blood transfusion, medications and even bone marrow transplant.
Medical Advice
Seek medical advice immediately if there
are signs and symptoms of anemia. Effective treatment can only be
facilitated if the underlying
causes can be detected and the types of anemia identified.
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