While most people associate anemia with feeling tired a lot of the time, few of them realize that certain severe cases can result in death.
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, anemia can occur when an individual’s blood has too few red blood cells to transport oxygen to the body. It can also be the result of an insufficient supply of hemoglobin – the protein that gives blood its color – in those cells. With long-term or severe anemia, low levels of oxygen in the blood can cause damage to the heart, brain and other organs.
There are many causes of this condition. The Mayo Clinic indicates these are the most common types of anemia:
Iron deficiency anemia. It affects one to two percent of adults living in the United States. The cause is a lack of sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin for red blood cells. Patients feel very fatigued. A diagnosis follows a medical history, a physical exam and lab tests, including a complete blood count (CBC). Treatment usually includes taking iron supplements for at least several months. Surgery might be required if the source of bleeding dictates it.
Vitamin deficiency anemia. It’s sometimes called B12 anemia. The body requires folic acid and vitamin B12 to make enough red blood cells. Although some patients eat a diet with sufficient amounts of both, they’re unable to effectively absorb B12 and also suffer from folate deficiency. They tend to feel tired and sometimes bump into objects. A diagnosis follows lab tests, including a CBC. The results indicate whether the B12 level normal. If not, doctors can prescribe either B12 injections or nasal sprays. Folic acid is available as an over-the-counter supplement.
Anemia of chronic disease. Sometimes specific illnesses interfere with the body’s ability to produce red blood cells, causing chronic anemia. Among them are cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Patients often have pale skin and complain of being tired. Since kidney failure can also be a cause, some patients experience symptoms related to renal problems. Diagnosis follows a CBC. Blood transfusions or injections of a synthetic hormone can help stimulate red blood cell production.
Aplastic anemia. Researchers suspect the cause is often an autoimmune disease. The bone marrow loses the ability to produce red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, cold hands and feet, chest pain and pale and gums. Heart murmurs, arrhythmias, an enlarged hear or heart failure can occur. Blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants and immune-suppressing medications treat this condition. In addition to a CBC, bone marrow tests help diagnose aplastic anemia.
Anemias associated with bone marrow diseases. Certain diseases like leukemia and myelodysplasia can affect blood production in the bone marrow, resulting in anemia. The condition also results from other cancers of the blood or bone marrow, such as multiple myeloma, myeloproliferative disorders and lymphoma. Results of a CBC aid in the diagnosis of anemia. Patients can suffer severe symptoms – on top of those of the underlying disease – if the bloodmaking process shuts down. Such an event is life threatening. Treatments include medication, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants.
Hemolytic anemias. The group consists of multiple types of anemia. As a result of autoimmune disorders, the body produces antibodies to red blood cells, killing them before they fully develop. Medications such as certain antibiotics for infections can also break down these cells. Beyond fatigue, many patients have symptoms such as sore mouths, brittle nails and dark urine. The condition can be fatal. Doctors treat hemolytic anemias by avoiding drugs suspected to cause them, treating related infections and suppressing the immune system. Treatment can also include steroids or gamma globulin. In addition to standard blood and bone marrow tests, a Coombs’ test determines whether the body is manufacturing proteins that destroy red blood cells.
Sickle cell anemia. It’s an inherited type of anemia. It commonly affects individuals of African, Arabic and Mediterranean descent. A defective type of hemoglobin causes red blood cells to form in a sickle shape and quickly die. Patients typically complain of fatigue and pain from this chronic illness. However, many now live into their forties, fifties and beyond. Palliative care includes administering oxygen and medications to relieve pain. Certain oral and IV fluids can cut pain and help prevent complications. Bone marrow transplants have successfully treated a minority of sickle cell patients. In the United States, testing for this type of anemia is a mandatory part of each state’s newborn screening program. The blood test can show whether a baby has the illness or sickle cell trait.
Sources:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute site
Mayo Clinic site
Reference:
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute site
- Mayo Clinic site
