ANEMIA

Anaemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. Having anaemia, also referred to as low haemoglobin, can make you feel tired and weak.

Haemoglobin is the substance in your red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen throughout your body.

There are many forms of anaemia, each with its own cause. Anaemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe. In most cases, anaemia has more than one cause.

TYPES OF ANEMIA

1. Iron deficiency anaemia: iron-deficiency anaemia happens when your body doesn’t have enough iron to make haemoglobin. It’s a type of nutritional anaemia.
2. Aplastic anaemia: Anaemia caused by abnormal production of red blood cells.
3. Anaemia of inflammation.Certain diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn’s disease and other acute or chronic inflammatory diseases can interfere with the production of red blood cells.
4. Anaemia associated with bone marrow disease.A variety of diseases, such as leukaemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anaemia 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.
5. Haemolytic anaemia.This group of anaemias 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 haemolytic anaemia, or you can develop it later in life.
6. Pernicious anaemia:, is an autoimmune condition that prevents your body from absorbing vitamin B12. This is one cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.
7. Sickle cell anaemia: Is an inherited anaemia in which there is a change in your red blood cells’ shape, turning round flexible discs into stiff and sticky sickle cells that block blood flow.
8. Thalassemia: An inherited blood disorder characterized by the formation of abnormal form of haemoglobin.
9. Vitamin deficiency anaemia  : Megaloblastic anaemia is a type of vitamin deficiency anaemia that happens when you don’t get enough vitamin B12 and/or vitamin B9 (folate).

RISK FACTORS

There are certain factors that may increase your risk of developing anaemia. These include:

• Eating a diet that doesn’t include sufficient iron, folate, or vitamin B-12
• Having heavy menstrual periods
• Pregnancy
• Being over 65 years of age
• Certain gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease
• Certain chronic health conditions, such as cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, or an autoimmune disease
• A family history of genetic conditions that can cause anaemia.
• Certain types of medications or undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapyto treat cancer.
• Other factors such as heavy consumption of alcohol and frequent exposure to toxic chemicals like lead.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Anaemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause and severity of anaemia.

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Irregular heartbeats
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Chest pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Headaches

Complications

Anaemia can cause many health problems, such as:

• Extreme fatigue.Severe anaemia can make you so tired that you can’t complete everyday tasks.
• Pregnancy complications.Pregnant women with folate deficiency anaemia can be more likely to have complications, such as premature birth, foetal anomaly.
• Heart problems.Anaemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). When you’re anaemic your heart pumps more blood to make up for the lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
• Some inherited anaemias, such as sickle cell anaemia, can lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anaemia and can be fatal. Among older people, anaemia is associated with an increased risk of death.

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose anaemia, your health care provider will ask you about your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and run the following tests:

• Complete blood count (CBC): Healthcare providers use this test to check on all your blood cells, with a focus on your red blood cells. They count your red blood cells and evaluate your red blood cells’ size and shape.
• Peripheral blood smear:Healthcare providers examine your red blood cells under a microscope.

After you diagnosed with  anaemia, your health care provider might order other tests to determine the cause. Occasionally, it can be necessary to study a sample of your bone marrow to diagnose anaemia.

 TREATMENT

• Healthcare providers may recommend changing your diet or taking supplements if you have iron-deficiency anaemia or pernicious anaemia.
• If you have anaemia because you have a chronic disease, your provider will treat the underlying condition. They may prescribe medication to boost red blood cell production.

Providers may use medications like immunosuppressants or treatments like blood transfusions to treat anaemia that happen when you have abnormal red blood cells, like aplastic anaemia or haemolytic anaemia.

Treatments for anaemia, which depend on the cause, range from taking supplements to having medical procedures. You might be able to prevent some types of anaemia by eating a healthy, varied diet.

PREVENTION

People with chronic diseases who may develop anaemia should watch for anaemia symptoms.

You can prevent nutritional anaemia by eating a healthy diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals, including:

• Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables (Moringa leaves, kale,spinash)and dried fruit.
• This nutrient, and its synthetic form folic acid, can be found in fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products, such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice.
• Vitamin B-12.Foods rich in vitamin B-12 include meat, dairy products, and fortified cereal and soy products.
• Vitamin C.Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons, and strawberries. These also help increase iron absorption.

OUTLOOK

Treating your anaemia and eating a well-rounded diet can give you more energy and enhance your life. Most people can manage their anaemia through a healthy diet and iron or vitamin supplements if you have anaemia due to nutrient deficiency. If you have a chronic disease, then good management of your condition also will help you prevent or manage anaemia.