Anemia definition medical

What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? Vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, due to a lack (deficiency) of vitamin B 12. This vitamin is needed to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well. Folic acid, also called folate, is another B vitamin. Anemias caused by a lack of vitamin B 12 or a lack of folate are 2 types of megaloblastic anemia. With these types of anemia, the red blood cells don’t develop normally. They are very large. And they are shaped like an oval, not round like healthy red blood cells. This causes the bone marrow to make fewer red blood cells. In some cases the red blood cells die sooner than normal. What causes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? Vitamin B 12 deficiencyanemia is more common in people whose families come from northern Europe. It is caused by one of the following: • Lack of intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a protein made in the stomach. It is needed to absorb vitamin B 12. This type of B 12 deficiency anemia is called pernicious anemia. • Surgery that removes or bypasses the end of the small intestine. This part of the small intestine is where vitamin B 12 is absorbed. The inability to make intrinsic factor may be caused by several things, such as: • Chronic gastritis • Surgery to remove all or part of the stoma...

Recent Examples on the Web Born with sickle cell anemia, her life has always included the intervention of medicine and treatment. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023 Toxicology reports listed Murphy’s official cause of death as pneumonia and anemia with prescription drug intoxication listed as a contributing factor (though all the drugs found in Murphy’s system were prescribed and not present in high enough levels to be the sole cause of her death). — Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 8 May 2023 Two symptoms in particular—rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia—indicate an urgent need for further screening, through endoscopy, Cao said in the news release. — Korin Miller, Health, 4 May 2023 Using NSAIDs for some time can lead to stomach ulcers, which can cause internal bleeding and anemia, the NHS said. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 22 Feb. 2023 There are other medical causes for feeling cold, especially anemia, which should also be checked. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 1 Mar. 2023 Certain medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes, immune disorders, and some cancers put you at risk of AC. — Isadora Baum, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 Some listed under the scheme—such as folic acid to treat anemia, or blood clotting, biotin to treat skin conditions and glipizide to treat diabetes—cost $2 or less for a 30-day supply. — Robert Hart, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 Doctor King used to say America has a high blood pressure of creeds, but an anemia of deeds. — John Blake, CNN, 21 Jan. 2023 See M...

A deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, as in the amount of hemoglobin or the number or volume of red blood cells. Iron deficiency, often caused by inadequate dietary consumption of iron, and blood loss are common causes of anemia. See also aplastic anemia hemolytic anemia and sickle cell anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia affects >1.2 billions individuals worldwide, and iron deficiency in the absence of anemia is even more frequent. Total-body (absolute) iron deficiency is caused by physiologically increased iron requirements in children, adolescents, young and pregnant women, by reduced iron intake, or by pathological defective absorption or chronic blood loss. Adaptation to iron deficiency at the tissue level is controlled by iron regulatory proteins to increase iron uptake and retention; at the systemic level, suppression of the iron hormone hepcidin increases iron release to plasma by absorptive enterocytes and recycling macrophages. The diagnosis of absolute iron deficiency is easy unless the condition is masked by inflammatory conditions. All cases of iron deficiency should be assessed for treatment and underlying cause. Special attention is needed in areas endemic for malaria and other infections to avoid worsening of infection by iron treatment. Ongoing efforts aim at optimizing iron salts–based therapy by protocols of administration based on the physiology of hepcidin control and reducing the common adverse effects of oral iron. IV iron, especially last-generation compounds administered at high doses in single infusions, is becoming an effective alternative in an increasing number of conditions because of a more rapid and persistent hematological response and acceptable safety profile. Risks/benefits of the different treatments should be weighed in a personal...