Introduction to Anemia

After a quick dash to catch the train and climbing 3 flights of stairs to her office, Susan felt an overwhelming sense of fatigue and lethargy. She suddenly remembered that she had not been diligent in her observance of her health and fitness regimen, alongside working too many long hours and keeping late nights. So, after evaluating the various options, she decided to go for a checkup, and the doctor delivered a numbing diagnosis: She was anemic. The doctor then proceeded to give her a list of foods to eat and vitamins to take. This might sound very familiar to many people. In fact, Anemia affects an estimated 400 million women worldwide. However, most women are unaware of the symptoms of anemia and therefore tend to blame mild symptoms on the stresses of modern life. The word ‘anemia’ literally means "without blood" and refers to a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells (RBC's) or in the haemoglobin (iron-containing) portion of RBC's.

What Is Anemia?
Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. These cells are the main transporters of oxygen to organs. If red blood cells are also deficient in haemoglobin, then your body isn't getting enough oxygen. Symptoms of anemia, like fatigue, occur because organs are not getting what they need in order to function properly.

Anemia is a sign of a disease process; it is not actually a disease itself.  It is classified as either chronic or acute. While chronic anemia occurs over a long period of time, acute anemia occurs quickly.  In chronic anemia, symptoms typically begin slowly and progress gradually; whereas in acute anemia, symptoms can be abrupt and more distressing. Determining whether anemia has been present for a long time or whether it is something new, assists the care provider in finding the cause. This also helps predict how severe the symptoms of anemia may be.
There are many types of anemia, and all are very different in their causes and treatments. Iron-deficiency anemia, the most common type, is very treatable with diet changes and iron supplements. Some forms of anemia, like the anemia that develops during pregnancy, are even considered normal. However, there are some types of anemia that may present lifelong health problems.

In order to treat anemia, one needs to understand the root cause of the anemia.  There are more than 400 types of anemia, which are divided into three groups:

• Anemia caused by blood loss
• Anemia caused by decreased or faulty red blood cell production
• Anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells

If you are currently experiencing any of the following symptoms: pale or sallow complexion, pale lips and nail-beds, fatigue, dizziness, increased heart rate, sore or swollen tongue, shortness of breath, headache, irritability, and ringing in the ear, you may be anemic. Some people may also display the unusual symptom of craving ice, dirt, or paint.

Important factors to remember:

• Certain forms of anemia are hereditary, and infants may be affected from the time of birth.
• Women in their childbearing years are particularly susceptible to a form of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia because of the blood loss from menstruation and the increased blood supply demands during pregnancy.
• Seniors also have a greater risk of developing anemia because of poor diet and other medical conditions.

Look for more information on the types of Anemia, prevention, and treatment in next month’s issue of our Kingdom Citizen Newsletter.

By: Audrey Nevins
Health & Wellness, Team Lead