Anemia is what happens when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or enough hemoglobin in it, the main role of red blood cells in our bodies is to deliver oxygen from the lungs to our cells and organs and then carry the carbon dioxide from the tissues back into the lungs so it would be exhaled out of the body.
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| Anemia indicates low red blood cells count |
Whereas hemoglobin is the main constituent of red blood cells, it’s also responsible for the red color of the cells which is why any decrease in either the number of red blood cells or the quantity of hemoglobin leads to the condition known as anemia.
The most common SYMPTOMS of Anemia include: headache, irregular heartbeat, feelings of fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, having cold hands and feet, and problems with cognition.
There are many types of anemia which could be cause by either one of the following CAUSES :
a. Low or abnormal production of red blood cells.
This is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough RBCs, or when the produced RBCs aren’t working properly, the condition may also happen if the body doesn’t contain the required minerals and vitamins for RBCs to work.
b. Hemorrhage or blood loss.
Losing a significant amount of blood either instantly or over time leads to the development of anemia.
c. Break down of red blood cells.
Increased break down and destruction of RBC leads to a condition known as hemolytic anemia.
Types of Anemia caused by low or abnormal production of red blood cells:
1. Sickle cell anemia:
A type of anemia in which the RBC production is faulty, the normal RBC have a disc-shaped structure, whereas a sickle-shaped also known as a crescent-shaped RBC is the structure of sickle cell anemia.
Now the lifespan of normal RBC is 120 days, after which the cells die and are replaced by new ones synthesized by the bone marrow, in the case of sickle cell anemia the lifespan of RBC is much shorter, they only live for about 10 or 20 days, which doesn’t give the bone marrow enough time to produce new cells to replace them, the fast break down of RBC in this case would lead to a shortage in the delivery of oxygen to the tissues.
2. Bone marrow problems:
RBC are produced in the bone marrow, they develop from some of the stem cells found there so if there is a problem in either the bone marrow or the stem cells in it, anemia is developed.
There are different types of anemia that happen as a result of bone marrow problems including:
–Thalassemia: a condition that causes massive destruction of RBC leading to anemia, it’s an inherited disorder that could range from mild to a fatal condition.
-Aplastic anemia: happens mainly as a result of aplastic bone marrow, the bone marrow produces all kinds f blood cells from a precursor ( stem cells ), when the bone marrow is empty of those cells it’s called aplastic, which leads to a significant decrease in the production of RBC causing aplastic anemia, the condition could happen without cause, could be inherited or due to an injury of the bone marrow.
3. Vitamin deficiency:
Vitamin B12 and folate are two factors that help make up RBC, when there isn’t enough of either, anemia is developed, vitamin deficiency could result in either:
-Megaloblastic anemia: where there isn’t a sufficient amount of either vitamin B12 or folate.
-Pernicious anemia: where the vitamin is present but the absorption is malfunctioned, poor absorption of the vitamin could be caused by HIV infection, parasite infection or Crohn’s disease.
4. Iron deficiency:
Iron is needed in order to make up hemoglobin, when iron is deficient, there won’t be enough hemoglobin formed leading to a malfunction of RBC leading to anemia.
Anemia caused by hemorrhage or blood loss
This kind of anemia results from either:
1. Giving birth or menstruating.
2. ulcers, cancer or hemorrhoids.
3. using NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs).
Anemia caused by break down of RBC: (Hemolytic anemia)
This condition happens when:
. There’s an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the RBC.
. There’s a certain infection, drug or toxins in the body causing the RBC to rupture quickly.
. Also sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are to be considered kinds of hemolytic anemia giving the fact that they also include the quick destruction of RBC.