Anemia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Lack of enough hemoglobin or healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen to the body's tissues is known as anemia. The molecule called hemoglobin, present in red blood cells, transports oxygen from the lungs to every other organ in the body. Breathlessness, weakness, and tiredness are all possible effects of anemia.

Anemia comes in many forms. Everyone has their cause. Anemia may be long-term or short-term. It might be minor or extremely severe. Anemia may indicate a more serious medical condition.

Low levels of healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body are known as anemia. Anemia could endanger life. There are numerous potential causes for it, and the illness comes in various forms. The cause of your anemia will determine how you are treated.

Treatments for anemia might involve taking supplements or having medical procedures. Eating a healthy diet might prevent some forms of anemia.

Also Read: Red Blood Cell Functions, Range and Treatment

What is anemia?

Anemia is a blood condition that develops when your red blood cells are either underactive or malfunctioning. Anemia can strike anyone at any time during their lifetime, while some types are inherited.

Anemia can have a variety of effects on your life. Some types of this illness have mild symptoms that get better with treatment. Other types are more dangerous; for example, some are inherited and result in chronic health problems. It might be fatal to have severe anemia. Additionally, this illness could be a symptoms of more serious conditions like cancer.

Types:

• Anemia aplastic

• Iron deficiency Anemia

•  Sickle cells anemia

• Thalassemia

• Anemia due to a vitamin deficiency

Symptoms:

The origin and severity of anemia determine the symptoms. Anemia can be so mild that it first shows no symptoms. But when the anemia worsens, symptoms typically start to appear and worsen.
If anemia is caused by another disease, the disease may conceal the signs of anemia. The anemia may then be discovered by a test for another illness. Certain types of anemia include symptoms that identify the underlying cause.

Among the possible signs of anemia are:

• Cold hands and feet

• Tiredness

• Weakness

• Breathlessness

• Skin that is pale or yellowish, which may show up more on white people than on black or brown people

• Irregular heartbeat

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy

• Headache

• Chest pain

Causes:

When there are insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, anemia results.


This may occur if:

• The body cannot make enough red blood cells or hemoglobin.

• Red blood cells and hemoglobin are lost during bleeding more quickly than they can be produced again.

• Red blood cells and the hemoglobin they contain are destroyed by the body.

Anemia's causes:

Anemia comes in various forms, each with its reasons. Among them are:


Iron deficiency. This most common type of anemia is caused by the body having too little iron. Iron is needed by the bone marrow to produce hemoglobin. The body cannot produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells if there is not enough iron in the body.

This type of anemia can occur in pregnant women who do not take iron supplements. Loss of blood can potentially be the cause. Heavy monthly flow, ulcers, cancer, or long-term use of certain painkillers, particularly aspirin, can all result in blood loss.

Anemia due to a vitamin deficiency. For the body to produce enough healthy red blood cells, it also needs folate and vitamin B-12 in addition to iron. The body may not produce enough red blood cells if these and other essential nutrients are not getting enough of a diet.

Some people can't absorb vitamin B-12, though. Pernicious anemia, another name for vitamin deficieny anemia, may result from this.


Inflammation-related anemia. Chronic inflammatory diseases may prevent the body from producing enough red blood cells. Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS are a few examples.

Aplastic anemia. The insufficient production of red blood cells by the body leads to this uncommon and potentially fatal anemia. Aplastic anemia can be brought on by infections, certain medications, autoimmune conditions, and exposure to toxic substances.

Anemias connected to disorders of the bone marrow. Leukemia and myelofibrosis are two illnesses that can alter how the bone marrow produces blood. These disorders can have minor to life-threatening effects.

Hemolytic anemias. Red blood cells in this group of anemias are being destroyed more quickly than bone marrow can produce new ones. Red blood cell destruction is accelerated by certain blood disorders. Hemolytic anemia can be passed in the sense that certain forms may pass through in families.


Sickle cell disease. This type of hemolytic anemia is inherited and can occasionally be life-threatening. Red blood cells are forced into an unusual crescent shape form known as a sickle by a unique hemoglobin. These atypical blood cells expire prematurely. This results in a persistent deficiency of red blood cells.

How is the diagnosis of anemia made?

Your medical professional will inquire about your symptoms. Because anemia results from having insufficient numbers of healthy red blood cells, they will perform blood tests, such as:

• Complete blood count (CBC): This test is performed by medical professionals to examine all of your blood cells, with an emphasis on red blood cells. Medical pathologists count your red blood cells by analyzing blood samples. They also measure and form your red blood cells. This test may be used by medical professionals to assess your vitamin B12 or B9 levels.

• Hemoglobin test: The primary constituent of red blood cells is hemoglobin. Anemia is frequently detected using this test.

• Hematocrit test: This examination determines your blood's percentage of red blood cells.

• Peripheral blood smear: Medical professionals use a microscope to look at your red blood cells and measure their size and shape.

• Reticulocyte count: RBCs that are not fully matured are called reticulocytes. This test determines how many healthy red blood cells your bone marrow is generating.

Complications:

Untreated anemia can lead to a variety of health issues, including:

• Severe tiredness. It may become impossible to do everyday tasks if anemia is severe.

• Complications throughout pregnancy. Individuals who have folate deficiency anemia during pregnancy may be at a higher risk of experiencing difficulties, like premature birth.

• Cardiac issues. Arrhythmia, or fast or erratic heartbeat, can result from anemia. Because there is little oxygen in the circulation, anemia requires the heart to pump more blood. Heart failure or an enlarged heart may result from this.

• Death. Certain hereditary anemias, like sickle cell anemia, can have fatal consequences. Rapid blood loss can be dangerous and results in severe anemia.

Risk factors:

The following variables may make anemia more likely:

• Not enough of specific vitamins and minerals in the diet. Anemia is more likely when iron, vitamin B-12, and folate levels are low.

• Issues concerning the small intestine. Anemia is more likely in those with conditions that interfere with the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrition. Celiac disease and Crohn's disease are two examples.

• Menstrual cycles. Generally speaking, anemia risk might be increased by heavy menstruation. Red blood cells are lost as a result of menstruation.

• Pregnancy. Anemia is more likely to occur in pregnant women who do not take a multivitamin that contains iron and folic acid.

• Chronic conditions are referred to be ongoing. Anemia from chronic disease is more common in people with diabetes, kidney failure, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. An excessively low red blood cell count may result from several situations.

• Iron deficiency anemia can result from the body's iron reserves being gradually depleted by slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other internal sources.

• Background in the family. An increased risk of inherited anemias, including sickle cell anemia, can arise from having a family member with an inherited type of anemia.

• More components. Anemia risk is increased by a history of certain infections, blood disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Anemia can be brought on by excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and certain medications that alter the production of red blood cells.

•  Age. The risk of anemia is higher in those over 65.

 Treatment:

How is the treatment for anemia administered?

The cause will influence how you are treated. Your healthcare practitioner can treat any underlying conditions if your anemia is a result of them. However, they might also administer the following anemia-specific therapies. Treatment or dietary supplements may be used as treatments.

Dietary supplements:

For anemia, your doctor could suggest the following supplements:

• Iron supplements: You can take these by mouth with a glass of water. They are available as tablets or capsules.

• Supplements containing folic acid: Folate, often known as vitamin B9, is a necessary vitamin that aids in the formation of red blood cells and DNA, the building blocks of your body.

• Supplements containing vitamin B12: Supplements containing vitamin B12 help to produce healthy red blood cells.

Medication For anemia, healthcare professionals may recommend the following medications:

• Erythropoietin: a medication that stimulates the production of red blood cells in your bone marrow.

• Immunosuppressants: Your doctor may recommend medication to prevent your immune system from attacking your red blood cells if you have anemia due to an autoimmune disorder.

Methods

In some cases, your supplier might advise:

Red blood cell replacement with blood transfusion.
Bone marrow stem cell transplant to substitute healthy blood stem cells for unhealthy ones.
Anemia-causing internal bleeding is treated surgically.

Prevention:

Many types of anemia are unpreventable. However, iron and vitamin deficiency anemias may be avoided with a balanced diet. A nutritious diet consists of:

• Iron. Dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, legumes, beans, iron-fortified cereals, and beef and other meats are among the foods high in iron.

• Folate. Fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products including bread, cereal, pasta, and rice contain this nutrient and its synthetic version, folic acid.

• Vitamin B-12. Meat, dairy products, fortified cereals, and soy products are among the foods high in vitamin B-12.

• Vitamin C. Citrus fruits and their juices, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons, and strawberries are foods high in vitamin C. They aid in the body's iron absorption as well.

References:

• Merck Manuals, Consumer Version. Overview of Anemia (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-blood-disorders/anemia/overview-of-anemia?query=anemia). Updated 12/2022. Accessed 4/16/2024.

• Anemia. Hematology.org. https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia. Accessed March 3, 2023.

• Means RT, et al. Diagnostic approach to anemia in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. March 3, 2023.

• Gado K, et al. Anemia of geriatric patients. Physiology International. 2022; doi:10.1556/2060.2022.00218.

• Hematocrit blood test. Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/hematocrit/. Accessed March 3, 2023.

• Your guide to anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/your-guide-anemia. Accessed March 3, 2023.

• Anemia and pregnancy. Hematology.org. https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia/pregnancy. Accessed March 6, 2023.

• Morrow ES Jr. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. July 22, 2023.

• American Society of Hematology. Anemia (https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia). Updated 9/1/2022. Accessed 4/16/2024.

• Hemoglobin blood test. Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/hemoglobin/. Accessed March 3, 2023.

• Turner J, Parsi M, Badireddy M. Anemia (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499994/#_NBK499994_pubdet_). 2023 Aug. 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Accessed 4/16/2024.