Cause, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Anemia

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Cause, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Anemia

January 11th, 2007

Some people may often relate anemia to ‘tired blood’. This is probably because a person with anemia does not have enough healthy and normal red blood cells to supply adequate oxygen to body tissues. When it fails to do this, a person may feel weak and tired.

Cause of anemia

Anemia is basically caused by the decreased number of red blood cells. The lack of hemoglobin in red blood cells can also cause anemia. Your body also has a reduced capacity of producing healthy red blood cells. When this happens, you would get tired easily. Some cases of anemia root from vitamin deficiency, iron deficiency and aplastic anemia. In some cases, it may be caused by chronic conditions like cancer, leukemia, arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. Anemia can also be related to bone marrow diseases.

Symptoms of anemia

The basic and first symptom of anemia is the constant feeling of fatigue. Another evident sign of anemia is pale skin. A person with anemia can experience weakness, headache, faster heartbeat, chest pain and dizziness. In worse cases, it can lead to cognitive problems and numbness of some parts of your body.

Treatment of anemia

If anemia is related to a deficiency, then its advisable to take in iron supplements or vitamin supplements to help normalize the production of red blood cells. In severe cases, blood transfusion is necessary. Injecting synthetic erythropoietin, can also hasten the process of red blood cells production by generating a hormone produced by kidneys. In cases of anemia related to bone marrow disease, bone marrow transplant may be a solution.

Prevention of anemia

A healthy and balanced diet is the most effective solution to prevent anemia. Foods rich in vitamin B12, iron and folate should always be a part of your diet. A good source of iron can be found in meat, beef, beans and other dark green and leafy vegetables. Folate can also be found in citrus drinks and fruits. On the first sings of anemia, it is best to consult your physician for consultation and medication.