Anemia is a condition in which your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. It can occur due to various reasons. Anemia can lead to various complications. Your blood contains red blood cells having hemoglobin attached to them- a protein that helps in oxygen exchange to your organs. When your blood lacks healthy red blood cells, the oxygen transportation to the organs is affected. Sometimes anemia may not cause any symptoms. But sometimes it may show the signs and symptoms, such as;
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Cold hands and feet
- Headaches
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should visit a hematologist in Lahore.
Table of Contents
What Causes Anemia?
Anemia occurs when your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. It can occur due to reasons such as;
- When your body is not producing enough red blood cells
- When your body damages red blood cells earlier than their life, that is 120 days
- When acute or severe bleeding occurs, and your body loses red blood cells.
These conditions can occur due to various reasons, eventually causing anemia. Causes of anemia can be described as;
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Vitamin deficiency anemia
- Aplastic anemia
- Anemia due to inflammation
- Hemolytic anemia
- Sickle cell disease
- Anemia associated with bone marrow disease
Iron Deficiency Anemia
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency. It happens because to produce hemoglobin, your body needs iron. When there is a lack of iron, your body can not produce hemoglobin, eventually causing anemia.
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
To produce red blood cells, your body needs vitamin C and folate. When there is a lack of any of them, it results in anemia. To get over it, you should consume a diet containing vitamin C and folic acid. Consuming green leafy vegetables and meat can help in it.
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia is a condition when your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. Aplastic anemia can occur due to certain infections, autoimmune diseases, and expsoure to toxic chemicals.
Anemia Due to Inflammation
Certain inflammatory conditions can cause anemia. These conditions can be;
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- AIDS/HIV
- Kidney disease
- Crohn’s disease
Hemolytic Anemia
Hemolytic anemia is a condition when your body destroys red blood cells earlier as compared to their lifetime. The normal life of red blood cells is 120 days. But in hemolytic anemia, they are destroyed before that. It can occur due to certain blood diseases. Sometimes you may inherit hemolytic anemia from your parents.
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a condition in which your red blood cells have an abnormal shape like that of a crescent. Normally your red blood cells have a shape of the disc, and they are flexible. Due to the abnormal shape of red blood cells, it can result in the early death of red blood cells, eventually resulting in hemolytic anemia.
Anemia Associated With Bone Marrow Disorders
Certain disorders of the bone marrow, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and myelofibrosis can cause anemia. The severity of anemia due to malignancies may vary from mild to life-threatening.
Conclusion
Anemia is a condition when your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. It needs urgent medical attention. Anemia, if left untreated, can lead to various complications. If you have any signs and symptoms of anemia, you should visit a hematologist in Islamabad.
