Anemia

INTODUCTION

• A medical condition in which the number of RBC & Hemoglobin is less than its normal range.

OR

• Anemia is a clinical condition in which the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is reduced.

• Anemia is not a specific disease.

• A RBC (red blood cells) count is less than 3.0 million/cells in female or Hb. Concentration is less than 8.0 gm/dl in male & 6.0 gm/dl in female is an indication of anemia.

CLASSIFICATION

1. Morphological classification:

A. Red cell size:

o Normocytic, microcytic or hypochromic

B. Color of hemoglobin:

o Normochromic & hypochromic

2. Etiological classification:

A. Blood loss:

o Acute trauma

o Chronic – gynecological disorder, lesion of gestrointestianl tract

B. Impaired red cell production:

o Nutrition deficiencies

o Deficiency affecting DNA

o Deficiency affecting Hb. Sensentition

C. Inharited genetic disorder:

o Thalassemia

TYPES OF ANEMIA

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Vitamin deficiency anemia

• Hemolytic anemia

• Aplastic anemia

• Sickle cell anemia

• Thalassemia

CAUSES OF ANEMIA

• Cause of anemia vary in different type of deficiencies or disorder

  • Nutritional deficiency

  • Bone marrow disorder

  • Blood loss

  • Pregnancy

  • Medication such as chemotherapy drug, antiretroviral medicine.

SYMPTOMS

• Symptoms seen in anemia include:

  • Weakness

  • Paleness

  • Shortness of Breath

  • Dizziness

  • Irregular Heartbeat

  • Cold hands and Feet

  • Headaches

  • Chest pain

  • Fatigue

DIAGNOSIS

• The common method to diagnose anemia are

1. Physical examination: Doctor do physical examination for pale skin, breathing problems, heartbeat, etc.

2. Complete blood count (CBC): CBC test is done to measures various components of blood including the number of red blood cells, white blood cells & platelets in your blood.

3. Pherpherial blood smear: A blood smear is examine under microscope to visualized shape, size & appearance of blood cells.

4. Iron studies: These test is done to measure serum ferritin level, serum iron levels & total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

5. Bone marrow biopsy: It is done to examine the production & maturation of blood cells.

TREATMENT

• Iron supplements: In iron deficiency anemia doctor prescribe iron supplements to increase the level of hemoglobin production.

• Vitamin supplements: Prescribe to patient during vitamin B12 deficiency.

• Blood transfusion: In severe cases where the patient need immediate hemoglobin level for stability, patient need blood transfusion to recover blood loss.

COMPICATION

• Complications of anemia can depend on its severity, cause & duration. Complication seen in anemia patient include:

  • Weakness

  • Cardiovascular problems

  • Complication during pregnancy

  • Delayed wound healing

  • Heart failure

  • Chronic kidney disease

PREVENTION

• Eat healthy diet

• Quit smoking

• Avoid alcohol

• Manage chronic disease

• Regular check up