Different Types of Anemia
Anemia is not a disease but a symptom of other medical conditions or complications of medical treatments. The definition of anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range. This can be caused by a decrease in red blood cell production or an increase in blood loss.
Because there are difference causes for anemia there are also different types of anemia. The most common types of anemia are iron deficiency anemia which is caused by a lack of iron in the diet and the inability of the individual to adequately absorb iron from their food. Iron deficiency anemia can also be a problem in individuals who have a chronic blood loss, such as women who have heavy periods or from an increased iron need during pregnancy when the maternal body is supplying iron to the baby’s body so it can produce tissue, muscle and blood cells.
Another type of common anemia is aplastic anemia which is a blood disorder caused by the destruction of bone marrow by outside factors such as chemical agents, medical treatments or physical factors. Individuals can suffer from arsenic poisoning, too much x-ray, chemotherapy or sources of ionizing radiation. Treatments for aplastic anemia will consist of replacement therapy to supplement the bone marrow’s inability to produce the blood cells as well as altering the chemical agents that caused the anemia in the first place.
Sickle cell anemia is a serious blood disorder that occurs in a population which carries the sickle cell gene. It has a high occurrence rate in the African American population as well as the Mediterranean population. Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary condition in which the blood cells take on a crescent shape which shape is an inefficient oxygen carrier. So, why the individual may have the proper number of red blood cells, those cells that are available do not efficiently carry oxygen. And, research has found, lack of oxygen will cause these cells to change to a crescent shape which cannot pass each other in the small capillaries. Immediate intervention is necessary if sickle cell anemia is suspected. Treatments can include supplemental iron, blood transfusions and hydroxyurea.
During a trauma related blood loss an individual will suffer from anemia. Classification is a trauma where quantities of blood are lost through an injury. This blood loss will hamper the body’s ability to transfer oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues. Signs and symptoms are similar to all of the anemias and include nausea, gastrointestinal dysfunction, weakness, rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, moist skin, and increased respiratory rate.
Thalassemia is another anemia which is caused from genetic mutations, when the body’s genes become damaged or mutated. This disease has both a mild and severe variety and tends to be present at birth. The most common severe form of thalassemia in the United States is Cooley’s anemia. A number of ethnic groups are at higher risk, including people of Africa, China, Philippines, India, Italy, Greece and the Middle East.
While there are a variety of different causes and types of anemia, the important factor to remember is that without treatments, this particular condition can cause permanent damage to the heart, lungs and kidneys. Thankfully, there has been widespread research into both causes and treatments of many of the different types of anemias. If you or someone you know suspect they may have anemia, it is important that they seek the advice of their primary care physician and receive treatments to avoid any permanent damage or scarring to the heart, kidneys or lungs.
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- Posted by Linda
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