Anaemia

Red blood cells are disc-shaped blood cells that carry oxygen to the organs and tissues of your body. Anemia happens when the number of healthy red blood cells in your body is too low. Every part of your body needs a sufficient supply of oxygen to function effectively. Many of the symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and shortness of breath, are caused by decreased oxygen delivery to your body’s vital organs and tissues. Red blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in your lungs, allowing red blood cells to carry and deliver it throughout your body. Anemia is measured according to the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. It’s estimated that anemia affected more than There are many different types and causes of anemia. Some types of anemia are mild and can be easily treated, while others can cause potentially serious health complications. This article will take a dive deeper into the different causes, symptoms, and nutritional factors associated with anemia, and will also explain how it’s diagnosed and treated. Red blood cells are produced in your About Any process that has a negative effect on this balance between red blood cell production and destruction can cause anemia. Causes of anemia are generally divided into those that decrease red blood cell production and those that increase red blood cell destruction or loss. Factors that decrease red blood cell production When red blood cell production is lower than normal, more red b...

Diagnosis To diagnose iron deficiency anemia, your doctor may run tests to look for: • Red blood cell size and color. With iron deficiency anemia, red blood cells are smaller and paler in color than normal. • Hematocrit. This is the percentage of your blood volume made up by red blood cells. Normal levels are generally between 35.5 and 44.9 percent for adult women and 38.3 to 48.6 percent for adult men. These values may change depending on your age. • Hemoglobin. Lower than normal hemoglobin levels indicate anemia. The normal hemoglobin range is generally defined as 13.2 to 16.6 grams (g) of hemoglobin per deciliter (dL) of blood for men and 11.6 to 15 g/dL for women. • Ferritin. This protein helps store iron in your body, and a low level of ferritin usually indicates a low level of stored iron. Additional diagnostic tests If your bloodwork indicates iron deficiency anemia, your doctor may order additional tests to identify an underlying cause, such as: • Endoscopy. Doctors often check for bleeding from a hiatal hernia, an ulcer or the stomach with the aid of endoscopy. In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube equipped with a video camera is passed down your throat to your stomach. This allows your doctor to view the tube that runs from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus) and your stomach to look for sources of bleeding. • Colonoscopy. To rule out lower intestinal sources of bleeding, your doctor may recommend a procedure called a colonoscopy. A thin, flexible tube equip...