Anemia - Symptoms and causes. Symptoms. Anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause of your anemia. They may include: Fatigue. Weakness. Pale or yellowish skin. Irregular heartbeats. Shortness of breath. Dizziness or lightheadedness. Chest pain. Cold hands and feet. Headache. At first anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. The causes of anemia may be classified as impaired red blood cell (RBC). Acute blood loss; Anemia of chronic disease; Aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure). There are numerous ways of classifying the causes of anemia. level may be spuriously elevated in the presence of acute phase. About Anemia in Adults. 1. · The most common causes of secondary autoimmune hemolytic. wrongly be ascribed solely to acute anemia. autoimmune hemolytic anemia in adults. Learn about anemia symptoms, treatment, and causes like poor nutrition. whereas in acute anemia symptoms can be abrupt and more distressing. In adults, red. · WebMD's overview of the many types and causes of anemia. Skip to main content. Older adults also may have a greater risk of developing anemia because. ![]() · Anemia in older persons is commonly overlooked. to investigate for causes of anemia that can. treating anemia in older adults who are. · Anemia is classified as acute or chronic. Acute anemia denotes a precipitous. Although most adults have undergone. Common causes include.But symptoms worsen as anemia worsens. When to see a doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor if you're feeling fatigued for unexplained reasons. Some anemias, such as iron deficiency anemia or vitamin B- 1. Fatigue has many causes besides anemia, so don't assume that if you're tired you must be anemic. Some people learn that their hemoglobin is low, which indicates anemia, when they go to donate blood. If you're told that you can't donate blood because of low hemoglobin, make an appointment with your doctor. Causes. Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells. This can happen if: Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells. Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced. Your body destroys red blood cells. What red blood cells do. Your body makes three types of blood cells — white blood cells to fight infection, platelets to help your blood clot and red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin — an iron- rich protein that gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to your lungs so that it can be exhaled. Most blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced regularly in your bone marrow — a spongy material found within the cavities of many of your large bones. To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs iron, vitamin B- 1. Causes of anemia. Different types of anemia and their causes include: Iron deficiency anemia. This is the most common type of anemia worldwide. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. Without iron supplementation, this type of anemia occurs in many pregnant women. It is also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy menstrual bleeding, an ulcer, cancer and regular use of some over- the- counter pain relievers, especially aspirin. Vitamin deficiency anemia. In addition to iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B- 1. A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production. Additionally, some people may consume enough B- 1. This can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious anemia. Anemia of chronic disease. Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn's disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells. Aplastic anemia. This rare, life- threatening anemia occurs when your body doesn't produce enough red blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune diseases and exposure to toxic chemicals. Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. A variety of diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anemia by affecting blood production in your bone marrow. The effects of these types of cancer and cancer- like disorders vary from mild to life- threatening. Hemolytic anemias. This group of anemias develops when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. Certain blood diseases increase red blood cell destruction. You can inherit a hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it later in life. Sickle cell anemia. This inherited and sometimes serious condition is an inherited hemolytic anemia. It's caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape. These irregular blood cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells. Other anemias. There are several other forms of anemia, such as thalassemia and malarial anemia. Risk factors. These factors place you at increased risk of anemia: A diet lacking in certain vitamins. Having a diet that is consistently low in iron, vitamin B- 1. Intestinal disorders. Having an intestinal disorder that affects the absorption of nutrients in your small intestine — such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease — puts you at risk of anemia. Menstruation. In general, women who haven't experienced menopause have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than do men and postmenopausal women. That's because menstruation causes the loss of red blood cells. Pregnancy. If you're pregnant and aren't taking a multivitamin with folic acid, you're at an increased risk of anemia. Chronic conditions. If you have cancer, kidney failure or another chronic condition, you may be at risk of anemia of chronic disease. These conditions can lead to a shortage of red blood cells. Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other source within your body can deplete your body's store of iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia. Family history. If your family has a history of an inherited anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, you also may be at increased risk of the condition. Other factors. A history of certain infections, blood diseases and autoimmune disorders, alcoholism, exposure to toxic chemicals, and the use of some medications can affect red blood cell production and lead to anemia. Age. People over age 6. Complications. Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as: Severe fatigue. When anemia is severe enough, you may be so tired that you can't complete everyday tasks. Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women with folate deficiency anemia may be more likely to experience complications, such as premature birth. Heart problems. Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). When you're anemic your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure. Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can be serious and lead to life- threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anemia and can be fatal. Aug. 0. 8, 2. 01. Iron deficiency anaemia - NHS. UKCheck if you have iron deficiency anaemia. Symptoms can include: tiredness and lack of energyshortness of breathnoticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)pale skin. Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia. Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia (that are not usually connected to pregnancy) include: headache hearing ringing, buzzing or hissing noises inside your head (tinnitus)food tasting strangefeeling itchya sore tonguehair loss - you notice more hair coming out when brushing or washing itwanting to eat non- food items (for example, paper or ice) - called picafinding it hard to swallow (dysphagia)painful open sores (ulcers) in the corners of your mouthspoon- shaped nailsrestless leg syndrome. What happens at your appointment. Your GP will ask you about your lifestyle and medical history. If the reason for the anaemia is not clear (like pregnancy) your GP might order some tests to find out what might be causing the symptoms. They might also refer you to a specialist for further checks. Blood tests for iron deficiency anaemia. Your GP will usually order a full blood count (FBC) test. This will find out if the number of red blood cells you have (your RBC count) is normal. You don’t need to do anything to prepare for this test. A normal RBC count is: women - 4. L)men - 4. 7 to 6. LIron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. There are others, like vitamin B1. Treatment for iron deficiency anaemia. Once the reason you have anaemia has been found (for example, an ulcer or heavy periods) your GP will recommend treatment. If your blood test shows your red blood cell count is low (deficient) you’ll be prescribed iron tablets to replace the iron missing from your body. The prescribed tablets are stronger than the supplements you can buy in pharmacies and supermarkets. You’ll have to take them for about 6 months. Drinking orange juice after you’ve taken them may help your body absorb the iron. Some people get side effects like: constipation or diarrhoea. Try taking the tablets with or soon after food to reduce the chance of side effects. It’s important to keep taking the tablets even if you get side effects. Keep iron supplement tablets out of the reach of children. An overdose of iron in a young child can be fatal. Your GP may carry out repeat blood tests over the next few months to check that your iron levels are back to normal. Things you can do yourself. If your diet is partly causing your iron deficiency anaemia, your GP will tell you what foods are rich in iron so you can eat more of them. Eat and drink more: dark green leafy vegetables like watercress and curly kalecereals and bread with extra iron in them (fortified)meatpulses (beans, peas and lentils)Other foods that are a good source of iron. Eat and drink less: teacoffeemilk and dairywalnuts and almonds. Large amounts of these food and drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron. If you’re finding it hard to include iron in your diet you might be referred to a specialist dietician. Causes of iron deficiency anaemia. If you’re pregnant iron deficiency anaemia is most often caused by a lack of iron in your diet. Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia. Heavy periods can be treated with medication. For men, and for women whose periods have stopped, iron deficiency anaemia can be a sign of bleeding in the stomach and intestines caused by: taking non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen and aspirin)stomach ulcersswelling of the large intestine (colitis) or of the food pipe (oesophagus)pilesless often - cancers of the bowel or stomach. Any other conditions or actions that cause blood loss could lead to iron deficiency anaemia. If you leave your iron deficiency anaemia untreated. Untreated iron deficiency anaemia: can make you more at risk of illness and infection, as a lack of iron affects the immune systemmay increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs, such as an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failurein pregnancy can cause a greater risk complications before and after birth. Anemia Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diet, and Treatment. What Is Anemia? Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a main part of red blood cells and binds oxygen. If you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or your hemoglobin is abnormal or low, the cells in your body will not get enough oxygen. Symptoms of anemia - - like fatigue - - occur because organs aren't getting what they need to function properly. Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U. S. It affects about 3. Americans. Women, young children, and people with chronic diseases are at increased risk of anemia. Important factors to remember are: Certain forms of anemia are hereditary and infants may be affected from the time of birth. Women in the childbearing years are particularly susceptible to iron- deficiency anemia because of the blood loss from menstruation and the increased blood supply demands during pregnancy. Older adults also may have a greater risk of developing anemia because of poor diet and other medical conditions. There are many types of anemia. All are very different in their causes and treatments. Iron- deficiency anemia, the most common type, is very treatable with diet changes and iron supplements. Some forms of anemia - - like the mild anemia that develops during pregnancy - - are even considered normal. However, some types of anemia may present lifelong health problems. What Causes Anemia? There are more than 4. Anemia caused by blood loss. Anemia caused by decreased or faulty red blood cell production. Anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells Anemia Caused by Blood Loss Red blood cells can be lost through bleeding, which often can occur slowly over a long period of time, and can go undetected. This kind of chronic bleeding commonly results from the following: Continued. Anemia Caused by Decreased or Faulty Red Blood Cell Production With this type of anemia, the body may produce too few blood cells or the blood cells may not function correctly. In either case, anemia can result. Red blood cells may be faulty or decreased due to abnormal red blood cells or a lack of minerals and vitamins needed for red blood cells to work properly. Conditions associated with these causes of anemia include the following: Sickle cell anemia. Iron- deficiency anemia. Vitamin deficiency. Bone marrow and stem cell problems. Other health conditions Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder that, in the U. S. affects mainly African- Americans and Hispanic Americans. Red blood cells become crescent- shaped because of a genetic defect. They break down rapidly, so oxygen does not get to the body's organs, causing anemia. The crescent- shaped red blood cells can also get stuck in tiny blood vessels, causing pain. Iron- deficiency anemia occurs because of a lack of the mineral iron in the body. Bone marrow in the center of the bone needs iron to make hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that transports oxygen to the body's organs. Without adequate iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. The result is iron- deficiency anemia. This type of anemia can be caused by: An iron- poor diet, especially in infants, children, teens, vegans, and vegetarians. The metabolic demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding that deplete a woman's iron stores. Menstruation. Frequent blood donation. Endurance training. Digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease or surgical removal of part of the stomach or small intestine. Certain drugs, foods, and caffeinated drinks Vitamin- deficiency anemia may occur when vitamin B1. These two vitamins are needed to make red blood cells. Conditions leading to anemia caused by vitamin deficiency include: Megaloblastic anemia: Vitamin B1. Pernicious anemia: Poor vitamin B1. Crohn's disease, an intestinal parasite infection, surgical removal of part of the stomach or intestine, or infection with HIVDietary deficiency: Eating little or no meat may cause a lack of vitamin B1. Other causes of vitamin deficiency: pregnancy, certain medications, alcohol abuse, intestinal diseases such as tropical sprue and celiac disease Continued. During early pregnancy, sufficient folic acid can help prevent the fetus from developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Bone marrow and stem cell problems may prevent the body from producing enough red blood cells. Some of the stem cells found in bone marrow develop into red blood cells. If stem cells are too few, defective, or replaced by other cells such as metastatic cancer cells, anemia may result. Anemia resulting from bone marrow or stem cell problems include: Aplastic anemia occurs when there's a marked reduction in the number of stem cells or absence of these cells. Aplastic anemia can be inherited, can occur without apparent cause, or can occur when the bone marrow is injured by medications, radiation, chemotherapy, or infection. Thalassemia occurs when the red cells can't mature and grow properly. Thalassemia is an inherited condition that typically affects people of Mediterranean, African, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian descent. This condition can range in severity from mild to life- threatening; the most severe form is called Cooley's anemia. Lead exposure is toxic to the bone marrow, leading to fewer red blood cells. Lead poisoning occurs in adults from work- related exposure and in children who eat paint chips, for example. Improperly glazed pottery can also taint food and liquids with lead. Anemia associated with other conditions usually occurs when there are too few hormones necessary for red blood cell production. Conditions causing this type of anemia include the following: Anemia Caused by Destruction of Red Blood Cells When red blood cells are fragile and cannot withstand the routine stress of the circulatory system, they may rupture prematurely, causing hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia can be present at birth or develop later. Sometimes there is no known cause. Known causes of hemolytic anemia may include: Inherited conditions, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Stressors such as infections, drugs, snake or spider venom, or certain foods. Toxins from advanced liver or kidney disease. Inappropriate attack by the immune system (called hemolytic disease of the newborn when it occurs in the fetus of a pregnant woman)Vascular grafts, prosthetic heart valves, tumors, severe burns, exposure to certain chemicals, severe hypertension, and clotting disorders. In rare cases, an enlarged spleen can trap red blood cells and destroy them before their circulating time is up. Sources. SOURCES: American Academy of Family Physicians. The American Medical Athletic Association. Albemarle Pulmonary Medical Associates, PA. Gary W. Tamkin, MD, Attending Physician, Highland General Hospital - - Alameda County Medical Center, Oakland. Cornell University Department of Animal Science. CDC.© 2. 01. 6 Web. MD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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