MDA 224 Anemia_1_Hudson County Community College | MDA224 Anemia_1_Hudson County Community College

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Lack of blood§ Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. It affects about 3.5 million Americans. § It is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells ... or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a main part of red blood cells and binds oxygen. If you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or your hemoglobin is abnormal or low, the cells in your body will not get enough oxygenAnemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause of your anemia. They may include: § Fatigue § Weakness § Pale or yellowish skin § Irregular heartbeats § Shortness of breath § Dizziness or lightheadedness § Chest pain § Cold hands and feet § HeadacheRisk factors of anemia Anyone can develop anemia, but there are many factors that may increase your risk for developing anemia, including: • A diet lacking in iron, vitamin B12 and folate. • A history of intestinal disorders (for example, Crohn's disease and celiac disease) that affect the absorption of nutrients. • Blood loss due to menstruation. • Pregnancy. • Chronic conditions such as cancer, renal or liver failure may increase one's risk of developing anemia, because these conditions may cause a decrease in red blood cells. • A family history of an inherited anemia, such as sickle cell anemia. • A history of certain infections, blood diseases, and autoimmune disorders. • Exposure to toxic chemicals. • Taking certain medications that affect red blood cell production and lead to anemia.To diagnose anemia, your doctor may ask you about your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and run the following tests: § Complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is used to count the number of blood cells in a sample of your blood. For anemia your doctor will be interested in the levels of the red blood cells contained in the blood (hematocrit) and the hemoglobin in your blood. Normal adult hematocrit values vary from one medical practice to another but are generally between 40 and 52 percent for men and 35 and 47 percent for women. Normal adult hemoglobin values are generally 14 to 18 grams per deciliter for men and 12 to 16 grams per deciliter for women. § A test to determine the size and shape of your red blood cells. Some of your red blood cells may also be examined for unusual size, shape and color. § Additional diagnostic tests § If you receive a diagnosis of anemia, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the underlying cause. For example, iron deficiency anemia can result § from chronic bleeding of ulcers, benign polyps in the colon, colon cancer, tumors or kidney problems. § Occasionally, it may be necessary to study a sample of your bone marrow to diagnose anemia.Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. It happens when you do not have enough iron in your body. Iron deficiency is usually due to blood loss but may occasionally be due to poor absorption of iron. Vitamin-deficiency anemia may result from low levels of vitamin B12 or folate (folic acid), usually due to poor dietary intake. Pernicious anemia is a condition in which vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed in the ga- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - y absorb iron. Good sources of vitamin C are vegetables and fruits, especially citrus fruits.Medicines Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help your body make more red blood cells or to treat an underlying cause of anemia. Some of these medicines include: • Antibiotics to treat infections. • Hormones to treat heavy menstrual bleeding in teenaged and adult women. • A man-made version of erythropoietin to stimulate your body to make more red blood cells. This hormone has some risks. You and your doctor will decide whether the benefits of this treatment outweigh the risks. • Medicines to prevent the body's immune system from destroying its own red blood cells. • Chelation (ke-LAY-shun) therapy for lead poisoning. Chelation therapy is used mainly in children. This is because children who have iron-deficiency anemia are at increased risk of lead poisoning. Blood Transfusion A blood transfusion is a safe, common procedure in which blood is given to you through an intravenous (IV) line in one of your blood vessels. Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant A blood and marrow stem cell transplant replaces your faulty stem cells with healthy ones from another person (a donor). Stem cells are made in the bone marrow. They develop into red and white blood cells and platelets. Surgery If you have serious or life-threatening bleeding that's causing anemia, you may need surgery. For example, you may need surgery to control ongoing bleeding due to a stomach ulcer or colon cancer. If your body is destroying red blood cells at a high rate, you may need to have your spleen removed. The spleen is an organ that removes wornout red blood cells from the body. An enlarged or diseased spleen may remove more red blood cells than normal, causing anemia.In any anemia, the cause of the anemia, its severity, and the rapidity of its development determine the outcome. The age of the patient and the presence of comorbid conditions such as heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease may also significantly influence outcome. Outcome of anemia due to blood loss depends on the source of the bleeding, severity of the loss, and response to treatment. If the source of bleeding is identified and corrected, acute anemia due to massive blood loss can be successfully treated with blood transfusion. Chronic anemia due to a small but ongoing blood loss, such as in gastrointestinal bleeding, responds to correction of the bleeding without the need for transfusion if the source of bleeding is identified before blood loss is significant. Anemia caused by dietary deficiencies usually can be corrected by replacement therapy, and improvement may be seen within weeks or months. Neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by pernicious anemia may take up to a year or more to show improvement. The symptoms may not resolve completely, but with ongoing treatment they typically do not progress. Individuals with severe lifelong, hereditary anemias (e.g., sickle cell anemia, thalassemia) have a shortened life expectancy. Without a bone marrow transplant, severe forms of these anemias often result in death in the second or third decade of life (Maakaron).You can help prevent iron-deficiency anemia by eating a well-balanced diet that includes good sources of iron, vitamin B12, and folate. Steps to take include the following: § If you are a vegetarian or vegan, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about your diet and any possible need for supplements. § Ask your doctor or nutritionist if you should take vitamin C. Vitamin C makes the stomach more acidic and may improve the absorption of iron in your diet. § Decrease your consumption of caffeinated products and tea. These substances can decrease iron absorption. Other offenders include the preservative EDTA, fiber, large amounts of calcium, and the phytates found in some vegetables. • Select iron-fortified cereals and breads. • Carefully follow safety guidelines if your occupation involves work with lead-containing materials such as batteries, petroleum, and paint. • Ask your doctor or local public health authorities about getting your dishes and other eating utensils tested for lead. [Show More]

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