Anemia & Lung Disease

Anemia is a physical disorder marked by an inordinately low number of red blood cells, or red blood cells that don't contain enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein that gives red blood cells their ability to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Severe anemia can result in major health issues, including damage to the heart, brain, lungs and other organs.

• Lung disease can cause chronic disease anemia

Causes

• There are three primary causes of anemia: blood loss, the inability of the body to produce sufficient numbers of red blood cells, or accelerated rates of destruction of red blood cells. These causes may be the result of genetic or hereditary traits, or they may be exacerbated by certain diseases such as lung cancer, injury, or other factors such as chemo or radiation therapy.

Symptoms

• Moderate to severe anemia can result in a number of external symptoms, the most pervasive of which is fatigue or lack of energy. Additional symptoms include reduced lung capacity, shortness of breath or difficulty catching your breath. Dizziness, headache, general pallor, chest pain and cold feet are other possible indicators of anemia.

Diagnosis

• Anemia, especially in its mild to moderate form, does not always cause symptoms. If you have a family history of anemia or if you exhibit any symptoms of anemia you should consult with your doctor. Anemia is typically diagnosed after a complete medical and family history along with a physical exam and certain laboratory tests. Part of the physical examination will include the doctor listening to your lungs to check for rapid or uneven breathing.

Considerations

• The second most common form of anemia after iron-deficiency anemia is call chronic disease anemia. This type of anemia typically develops after the patient has endured two months of a sustained disease. Some of the most common causes of chronic disease anemia include chronic infection of the lungs, such as tuberculosis or lung abscess, and neoplastic disorders such as lung carcinoma.

Misconceptions

• There is some debate within the medical community regarding the wisdom of treating chronic disease anemia associated with such conditions as chronic lung disease. According to a report published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the general consensus is that anemia of chronic disease is an adverse consequence of systemic illness that should be treated. However, some researchers are challenging that opinion believing that anemia of chronic disease may be a beneficial and adaptive response by the patient's body, to help combat the underlying disease.