FULL LESSON ON ANEMIA.

WHAT IS ANEMIA?

Anemia refers to a disorder in which the blood has fewer RED BLOOD CELLS than normal or the RED BLOOD CELLS are deficient in hemoglobin. There are various types of anemia, it may only be minor or may be a warning sign for a more serious condition, for these reason a person should not ignore it symptoms but seek adequate medical advice from a physician.

CAUSES OF ANEMIA

Anemia has three main causes, they include;

1. Failure of the blood to make enough new red blood cells, 
2. Loss of blood through bleeding which is known as hemorrhage, 
3. It could be cause by Haemolysis which is the rapid destruction of the red blood cells in the blood, or

• complete failure to produce red blood cells

 FAILURE OF THE BLOOD TO MAKE ENOUGH RED BLOOD CELLS:

The major cause of these is faulty diet. Lack of enough iron in the food a person eats leads to insufficient hemoglobin in his or her red blood cells. Another known cause is lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), leads to anemia that accompanies scurvy, lack of B vitamins (folic and vitamin B₁₂) which are very essential leads to the production of fewer red of blood cells a condition known as Macrocytic Anemia.  Some amounts of some elements in the diet to aid nutrition such as manganese and copper are needed for correct red blood formation. Manufacture of red blood cells by the bone marrow can also be slowed by the poisoning effect of an infection, by poisons such as lead or Cancer. The cancer is made worse if it invades the bone marrow (LEUKEMIA).

RAPID DESTRUCTION OF RED BLOOD CELLS (HAEMOLYTIC ANEMIA):

These occur in malaria and in a few other diseases. It can also arise as a reaction to certain drugs or medication, and in sickle cell anemia, and other inherited disorders which results in abnormal red cells. It can also arise from a blood transfusion with blood of wrong type or incompatible of RH FACTOR between a new born child and its mother.

COMPLETE FAILURE TO PRODUCE RED BLOOD CELLS:

These disorder is called aplastic anemia, it may occur suddenly for no apparent reason, or it may be caused by sensitivity to a drug that results in destruction of bone marrow cells.

SYMPTOMS OF ANEMIA

Hemoglobin gives blood its red color and a person suffering from anemia may be noticeable pale, it is important to note that other disorders apart from anemia can or may cause paleness. Other symptoms of anemia includes; Tiredness, dizziness, headache, palpitations after slight exertion and shortness of breath.

TREATMENT

• The treatment depends on the cause of the disorder.

• Lack of elements or vitamins can be corrected by taking tablets or injections containing any of the missing factors.

• If it is caused by infection by poisoning of the bone marrow, or rapid destruction of red blood cells it could be treated by intake of additional vitamins or by blood transfusion.

• Corticosteroids drugs, blood transfusion and in some cases bone marrow transplant may be an option if anaemia is caused by complete failure to produce red blood cells.

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Posted By Mr. TriGa — Sunday, 1 May 2016 — Add Comment