What Is the Meaning of Being Anemic?

WebMD reports that anemia is the most common blood condition in the United States, affecting 3.5 million American men, women and children. There are a number of causes, symptoms and, fortunately, a variety of treatments available to combat this condition, which in many cases goes undiagnosed, as the sufferer simply puts the symptom of fatigue down to exhaustion caused by other factors.

Definition

• Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body.

  Anemia (also spelled anaemia) is the most common blood disorder, characterized by either a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a lower than normal quantity of hemoglobin in the bloodstream. It can arise in varying degrees of severity, as hemoglobin (found inside red blood cells) is responsible for transporting oxygen to vital organs around the body, which they requires for survival; and the longer that they have been deprived of oxygen, the more serious the consequences.

Causes

• Oxygen is vital for the survival of organs.

  There are over 400 different types of anemia, divided into three groupings.

  The first is caused by blood loss, as the number of red blood cells in the body drastically reduces - sometimes over a long period of time, which is why anemia can go undetected for months or years.

  Faulty blood cell production can also cause anemia, as the body does not produce enough red blood cells to perform their function sufficiently. Abnormal red blood cells also limits oxygen supply to vital organs, a condition known as sickle cell anemia: a hereditary disorder. Faulty blood cell production can also result in iron deficiency anemia, characterized by low levels of iron in the blood.

  Destruction of red blood cells also causes anemia, as a result of red blood cells rupturing through such illnesses as liver disease, drugs, or severe burns.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Anemia is diagnosed following a simple blood test.

  Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include paleness, fatigue, weakness, and--in extreme cases--heart palpitations, chest pains and shortness of breath. Other types of anemia, such as vitamin B12 anemia, show symptoms of confusion, personality changes and jaundice.

  Anemia is diagnosed through the observation of these symptoms, coupled with a blood test which measures hemoglobin levels in the blood, in addition to other chemicals and substances such as vitamin B12 and folic acid. Anemia can also be diagnosed following a bone marrow biopsy.

Treatment

• Dried fruit and nuts are high in iron.

  For those with iron deficiency anemia, treatment involves altering the patient's diet to include a higher intake of foods rich in iron, such as liver, seafood, dried fruit, lamb, and leafy vegetables. Sometimes, this is supplemented by iron pills. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be required.

  Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is treated with a life-long course of monthly vitamin B12 injections; if diagnosed early, however, a full recovery is possible.

  There is no widely available cure for sickle cell anemia, with bone marrow transplants providing a cure in a small number of patients. However, symptoms can be eased via pain-killing medicines.

Those at Risk

• Pregnant women are at risk of developing anemia.

  While anemia can affect everyone, there are three groups of people who are more susceptible to developing this condition.

  Some forms of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, are hereditary, and babies will be affected from birth.

  Blood loss from menstruation and childbirth can lead to iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age. Pregnant women are also at a higher risk of developing anemia.

  Older people, such as seniors and pensioners, may have a poor diet, leading to some forms of anemia.