Red blood cells are the cells that transport oxygen needed for basic biological processes throughout the body. An iron-rich protein called hemoglobin that resides in red blood cells is responsible for ensuring the successful transport of oxygen, and when there is not a sufficient number of red blood cells in the body, or when red blood cells or hemoglobin are abnormal or damaged, cells are deprived of oxygen. Depending on the extent of oxygen deprivation, the symptoms of anemia can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness or fainting, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and sad or depressed mood. As anemia becomes more severe, symptoms become more dangerous, sometimes subjecting the heart to harmful amounts stress and causing potentially life-threatening problems for patients. The main causes of anemia include serious diseases, dietary deficiencies, blood loss, genetic defects or disease, and medication.One common form of anemia is nutritional anemia, which develops when a person's diet does not include sufficient iron, folate, or vitamin B12, all necessary for the formation of hemoglobin. Frequently, children, teens, and the elderly are more susceptible to this type of anemia, which can then be complicated by underlying medical conditions. Metabolic conditions which prevent nutrient absorption can also be to blame for nutritional anemia. This is seen as a deficiency in folate or vitamin B12 in alcoholics, for example.
Other types of anemia can be caused by chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and HIV. These can interfere with the body's production, maintenance, and renewal of functioning red blood cells, either because of primary effects of the disease or the effects of medication (such as chemotherapy for cancer and AZT for AIDS/HIV) used to treat the disease. The blood loss of major surgery can also be a cause of anemia, as the body tries to produce replacement blood cells and heal from an invasive procedure simultaneously. Some diseases, such as leukemia, involve the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced, and interfere with the creation of red blood cells by disrupting normal bone marrow function. Others diseases actually destroy red blood cells after they are made.
Several types of anemia are caused by genetic mutations, which are often inherited from a parent who caries the defective gene. These types of anemia include thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplasia. In thalassemia, patients lack the ability to produce normal hemoglobin, and suffer severe fatigue, stunted growth, bone deformities, and other severe medical problems from a very young age; many patients with this form of anemia do not live into adulthood. This defect is usually found in patients of Mediterranean descent. Patients suffering from sickle cell anemia have an excess of misshapen red blood cells (they are crescent-shaped, hence the "sickle" in the disease's name) which cannot carry oxygen appropriately, and build up in blood vessels, blocking circulation with painful and dangerous results. Black patients are most commonly affected by this disease. In aplastic anemia, the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells. In myelodysplasia, the bone marrow fails to produce normal blood cells, as many of the cells that are produced do not function properly.
Anemia is generally diagnosed with the help of blood tests, medical history, and physical examinations. Genetic testing may be used to determine whether a patient suffers from a particular mutation that can cause anemia.
For those with mild forms of anemia, the condition can be managed with dietary changes, nutritional supplements or vitamin and mineral regimens. In the case of surgery-related anemia, the condition typically improves as the body repairs itself and replaces the blood that was lost. Some patients, such as those with cancer-related anemia or kidney disorders, may require blood transfusions, and for those with bone marrow disorders, the bone marrow itself may have to be replaced with functioning donor marrow. For those with the most severe types of anemia, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants may be the only way to prolong life. Transfusions can also be used as part of the treatment for sickle cell anemia, in combination with painkillers, antibiotics and other drugs, and fluid regimens.The chances of recovery depend on the severity of the form of anemia and the prognosis of any underlying conditions; often, if the underlying condition – whether it is a form of cancer, a kidney problem, or simply poor nutrition – can be resolved, the anemia itself can be cured. If anemia is likely to be caused by a disorder or medication, preventative measures may be used to slow or prevent its onset.
Because the symptoms of anemia can easily be confused with other health problems, and anemia itself may alert medical care providers to a host of other underlying diseases or conditions which can be dangerous or even life threatening, those who suffer from symptoms should seek the help of their care provider for early diagnosis and increased chances of recovery from possible underlying disease.
