Anemia is defined (according to the WHO)
as a condition where hemoglobin level is
under 12 g/dL (for women) or under 13 g/dL
(for men).
Anemia is one of the most common
pathologic conditions in people. It is
very common in kids under 5, pregnant
women, women during the reproductive
period, women in climax, older people
etc.
Symptoms of anemia are various but not
specific. Symptoms depend a lot from the
speed of anemia’s development. Acute
anemia has more visible symptoms than
chronic. Anemia that develops slowly has
no symptoms because of the organism’s
adaptation until hemoglobin drops under 9
g/dL when symptoms usually occur. Symptoms
that are common for all types of anemia
are:
1. Livid color of the skin and visible
mucosa;
2. Cardio vascular: Hard breathing during
physical efforts, palpitations, chest
pain, pain in the lower extremities;
3. Neuro-muscular: sleepiness, dizziness,
muscle weakness and cramps, headache,
noise in the ears, darkness in front of
the eyes, coldness;
4. Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea,
constipation, diarrhea;
5. Genito-urinary: irregular cycles, often
peeing, libido loss.
Cardiovascular and neurological symptoms
are more severe if there are additional
heart or brain disorders present. Every
type of anemia has its own specific
symptoms.
Anemias are classified according to the
etiology in several categories and
subcategories:
I. POST-HEMORRHAGIC ANEMIA – acute and
chronic
II. ANEMIA DUE TO THE LACK OF BUILDING
ELEMENTS:
1. Anemia due to iron deficit;
2. Anemia due to deficit of Vitamin B12;
3. Anemia due to deficit of folic acid;
4. Anemia due to deficit of Vitamin B6;
5. Anemia due to deficit of Vitamin C;
6. Anemia due to deficit of aminoacids.
III. HEMOLITIC ANEMIA:
A. Due to genetic anomalies (inborn):
1. Membrane anomalies (sferocitosis,
eliptocitosis, stomatocitosis...);
2. Hemoglobin anomalies (talasemia,
hemoglobinopatia S,C,D.E...), and
3. Enzyme deficit (G6PD, piruvat kinaze)
B. Acquired hemolytic anemia:
1. Immune (Rh-incompatibility, autoimmune,
drug induced);
2. Not-immune (microangiopatia, traumatic,
infections, chemical and physical
damages…).
IV. HYPO-REGENERATIVE ANEMIA:
1. Aplastic anemia (congenital, acquired,
idiopatic);
2. Infiltration of the bone marrow with
malignant cells;
3. Disturbed erythrocytes production due
to infections, rheumatic disorders,
endocrine disorders etc.;
4. Sideroblastic anemia (congenital and
acquired).
Diagnosis of the anemia includes several
procedures:
1. Anamnesis – collecting data from the
patient about having any bleeding,
prolonged menstruation, spotting, peptic
ulcer, hemorrhoids, family related anemia
etc.
2. Clinical examination;
3. Laboratory blood analyses: hemoglobin,
hematocrit, blood count, MCV, MCH, MCHC,
reticulocyte percentage, erythrocyte
morphology, sedimentation, occult blood
test of the feces, bilirubin, urea,
creatinin etc.
These are basic laboratory tests that can
help us to assume the type of anemia.
Specific tests are requested to diagnose
any specific type of anemia.
Therapy depends from the type of anemia.
DISCLAIMER:
"Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov, General Practitioner. Dr. Gjuzelov practices medicine for the general public and is affiliated with the Republic of Macedonia Public Health Institution. For more information about Dr. Gjuzelov or other eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Blood Disorders Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.
The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.
The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
