Anemia

Anemia is a disorder of the blood in which the red cells are fewer than normal or have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin is the pigment that gives the red blood cells their color. These cells are important in breathing, since they carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body, and carbon dioxide to the lungs for elimination. The red blood cells (ERYTHROCYTES) {cells that carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body and also help remove carbon dioxide from them. They owe their color to hemoglobin, an iron-rich pigment} are manufactured in the bone marrow. Normally there are trillions of them in the blood.

Anemia is usually not a disease in itself, but a symptom of disease. In advanced stages of serious diseases such as cancer and kidney failure, anemia develops in the processes of blood production and purification become impaired. In its milder forms, anemia is not a serious disorder.

The symptoms of anemia may show itself in many ways, depending on its severity. The person may be pale where it is particularly noticeable in the finger nails, lips, palms, and the lining of the eyelids, and almost constant feeling of tiredness. In serious cases, dizziness, heart pounding, short breath, and loss of appetite may occur. A blood test confirms that there is a deficiency of  the circulating hemoglobin.

The Iron-Deficiency Anemia is the most common type and is most often found in pregnant women and children. Foods containing iron are essential to health, and during pregnancy and the rapid growth of childhood the body's needs may not be satisfied. Increasing the amount of iron-containing foods in the diet (such as leafy green vegetables, kidney, heart, liver, lean meat, whole-wheat bread, dried peas, beans, and fruit) and taking doses of medicinal iron soon correct this type of anemia.

Blood-Loss Anemia is a  heavy menstrual flow, bleeding hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, and other chronic disorders that cause excessive loss of blood may bring an anemia. The first requirement is to locate and remedy the cause of the blood lose. Iron and iron-rich foods are prescribed.

Pernicious Anemia is usually a disease of middle or old age. In this condition the red cells fail to develop in the normal way, although vast number of immature cells are present in the bone marrow. The person may have any or all the symptoms previously described. Add to that is, there may be gastrointestinal trouble or nervous symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and erratic gait, as well as bladder trouble.

The disease, which formerly was responsible for many deaths, is now fairly simple to control. The patient is given injections of vitamin B12, and most of the symptoms disappear overnight. However, the injections must be continued through life.

Aplastic Anemia results when the bone marrow is damaged or destroyed. Special symptoms include dark spots on the skin, bleeding from the mouth and nose, and frequent infections. The cause may be sensitivity to certain medicines and chemicals, overexposure to radio-active substances or X rays, or the presence of cancerous growth in the marrow. Immediate hospitalization and blood transfusions are required. If the cause is located quickly and eliminated, recovery may occur.

Hemolytic Anemia is a type of anemia that red blood cells burst and release their hemoglobin. The condition may arise as a reaction to the sulfonamides, quinene, or other substances. It sometimes occurs in Rh-positive father and Rh-negative mother or in a person who has been given a transfusion of the wrong blood type. This is a dangerous disease requiring prompt hospitalization. 

Sickle-Cell Anemia is a hereditary disorder in which the red blood cells become deformed into irregular, pointed shapes resembling a sickle. The deformed cells do not slip easily through capillaries and small veins and arteries, and circulation is impaired. Symptoms, including severe pain in the abdomen and the joints, develop when the affected person uses up much oxygen in strenuous exercise.