Anemia

Anemia

Outline

Introduction /Overview

Types

Causes Risk Factors

Signs Symptoms

Stages (if applicable

Medical Tests Diagnosis Methods /Tools

Treatment Options

Prevention Methods

Introduction /Overview

Anemia is a red blood cell dis , where the number of red blood cells (RBC ) is below normal in the blood . Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to all parts of our body . Low RBC count reduces the oxygen transporting capacity of blood and results in symptoms such as fatigue , weakness and in severe cases exertion and shortness of breath

p Among the blood diss , anemia is the most common ailment throughout the world . It has been estimated that 20-25 of the population in developing countries and 10 of the population in developed world suffers from anemia [Kumar et al , 2003] . In United States roughly 3 .5 million people are affected by this problem . Fortunately , the most common form of anemia iron deficiency anemia , is also the most easily treatable . Anemia may also be the result of other medical conditions such as ulcers , menstrual problems , hemorrhage or even cancer . Certain forms of anemia or hereditary and new born and infants may also suffer from the dis

A person can become anemic as a result of blood loss such as hemorrhage or from excessive destruction or from reduced production of red blood cells . Iron deficiency anemia , for example , is caused by reduced production of red blood cells

Types of Anemia

There are more than 400 types of anemia [WebMD , 2007] . Anemia can be classified in several ways . A common classification system is based on the mechanism of reduction in RBCs . The reason for decrease in red blood cells can be from blood loss , decreased production or increased destruction rate of red blood cells . Anemia can thus be classified on the basis of mechanism of production sometimes also called "the kinetic approach (Table-1 ) [Kumar et al , 2003]

TABLE-1

CLASSIFICATION OF ANEMIA ACCORDING TO MECHANISM OF PRODUCTION (Ref [Kumar et al , 2003]

I Blood Loss

Acute : trauma

Chronic : lesions of gastrointestinal tract , gynecologic disturbances

II Increased Rate of Destruction (Hemolytic Anemias

Intrinsic abnormalities of RBCs

Hereditary

Diss of RBC membrane

RBC enzymes deficiencies

Dis of hemoglobin synthesis

Extrinsic abnormalities

Antibody mediated : such as transfusion reactions

Autoantibodies : such as drug associated anemias

Mechanical trauma to RBC

Infections : Malaria

III Impaired Red Cell Production

Stem cells related disturbances : aplastic anemia , anemia of renal failure , anemia of endocrine diss , pure RBC aplasia

Disturbances of Erythroblasts

Defective DNA synthesis : deficiency or impaired utilization of vitamin B12 and folic acid (megaloblastic anemias

Defective hemoglobin synthesis

deficient heme syntheses : iron deficiency

deficient globin synthesis : thalassemias

Unknown or multiple mechanisms : sideroblastic anemia , myelophthisic anemias due to marrow infiltration

Reference : Kumar , V , Cotran , R . S . and Robbins S . L (Eds (2003 Robbins Basic Pathology , Chapter 12-Red Cell Diss Published by Saunders Company , ISBN Anemias are also classified on the basis of RBC morphology (morphological approach , which correlates with the type of anemia according to red cells shape and size . Specific Characteristics which provide the information include...