User:Mr. Ibrahem/Anemia
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anemia is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood,[3][4] or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.[5] When anemia comes on slowly, the symptoms are often vague and may include feeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath, and a poor ability to exercise.[1] When the anemia comes on quickly, symptoms may include confusion, feeling like one is going to pass out, loss of consciousness, and increased thirst.[1] Anemia must be significant before a person becomes noticeably pale.[1] Additional symptoms may occur depending on the underlying cause.[1]
Anemia | |
---|---|
Other names | Anaemia |
Blood smear from a person with iron-deficiency anemia. Note the red cells are small and pale. | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Hematology |
Symptoms | Feeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath, feeling like passing out[1] |
Causes | Blood loss, decreased red blood cell production, increased red blood cell breakdown[1] |
Diagnostic method | Blood hemoglobin measurement[1] |
Frequency | 2.36 billion / 33% (2015)[2] |
Anemia can be caused by blood loss, decreased red blood cell production, and increased red blood cell breakdown.[1] Causes of blood loss include trauma and gastrointestinal bleeding.[1] Causes of decreased production include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, thalassemia, and a number of neoplasms of the bone marrow.[1] Causes of increased breakdown include genetic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, infections such as malaria, and certain autoimmune diseases.[1] Anemia can also be classified based on the size of the red blood cells and amount of hemoglobin in each cell.[1] If the cells are small, it is called microcytic anemia; if they are large, it is called macrocytic anemia; and if they are normal sized, it is called normocytic anemia.[1] The diagnosis of anemia in men is based on a hemoglobin of less than 130 to 140 g/L (13 to 14 g/dL); in women, it is less than 120 to 130 g/L (12 to 13 g/dL).[1][6] Further testing is then required to determine the cause.[1][7]
Certain groups of individuals, such as pregnant women, benefit from the use of iron pills for prevention.[1][8] Dietary supplementation, without determining the specific cause, is not recommended.[1] The use of blood transfusions is typically based on a person's signs and symptoms.[1] In those without symptoms, they are not recommended unless hemoglobin levels are less than 60 to 80 g/L (6 to 8 g/dL).[1][9] These recommendations may also apply to some people with acute bleeding.[1] Erythropoiesis-stimulating medications are only recommended in those with severe anemia.[9]
Anemia is the most common blood disorder, affecting about a third of the global population.[1][2] Iron-deficiency anemia affects nearly 1 billion people.[10] In 2013, anemia due to iron deficiency resulted in about 183,000 deaths – down from 213,000 deaths in 1990.[11] It is more common in women than men,[10] during pregnancy, and in children and the elderly.[1] Anemia increases costs of medical care and lowers a person's productivity through a decreased ability to work.[6] The name is derived from Ancient Greek: ἀναιμία anaimia, meaning "lack of blood", from ἀν- an-, "not" and αἷμα haima, "blood".[12]