Anemia Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Prevention

Anemia Causes, Signs, Symptoms and Prevention should be known to prevent complications, as anemia is a symptom of many Medical Problems. Anemia is the most common blood condition not only in developing countries but also in the United States.

What is Anemia?

See- What is Anemia

What are Anemia Causes?

A decrease in production or a reduction in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin is the main cause of anemia. Factors that may cause different Kinds of Anemia are-

Peripheral causes- blood loss, hemolysis, and hypersplenism
A poor diet lacking in iron, vitamin B-12, and folic acid
Family history (sickle cell anemia)
Menstruation
Certain medications
Pregnancy
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Certain Surgery that removes part of the stomach or intestines

Few Medical Problems or chronic conditions where anemia occurs-

Blood diseases
Problems with bone marrow such as lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma
Cancer or invasion by malignant cells
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Liver failure
Kidney failure
Ulcerative colitis
Certain infections
Autoimmune disorders
Stomach ulcers
Intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease
Malaria
Kala-azar

What are the Kinds of Anemia?

See- Kinds of Anemia

What are the Anemia Signs?

Pallor of skin, conjunctiva, mucous membrane and nail bed
The high cardiac output state
Tachycardia
Low blood pressure, especially when you stand up

Following signs can help to find the different Kinds of Anemia-

Koilonychia – spoon-shaped nails are seen in iron deficiency
anemia
Jaundice – found in hemolytic anemia
Bone deformities – found in thalassemia major
Leg ulcers – found in sickle-cell disease

What are the Anemia Symptoms?

Mild anemia may be asymptomatic. Problems develop slowly.

Common Anemia Symptoms-

Feeling of weakness or fatigue- tiredness, lassitude, reduced exercise tolerance
Generalized muscular weakness
Effort dyspnea or shortness of breath
Palpitation
A headache
Drowsiness
Breathlessness
Blurring of vision
Sore tongue
Problems concentrating or thinking
Feeling grumpy

Anemia Symptoms in severe cases-

Faintness or passing out
Pounding in ear
Effort angina
Poor concentration
Giddiness
Claudication intermittent
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
Bounding pulse
High blood pressure
Systolic flow murmur
Menstrual changes in female
Loss of libido
Ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement)
Symptoms of Heart failure
Worsening of Heart problems and Heart attack

Symptoms are more prominent in older patients.

What are the Sites of examination?

Lower palpebral conjunctiva
Dorsal (upper) surface of the tongue
Palm and sole
Whole body skin
In infants: Skin

How can Anemia be Diagnosed?

When you will go to a doctor, he/she will perform a physical examination. He will ask the symptoms and look for the signs (I described above). The doctor may suggest a complete blood cell (CBC) count which helps to detect and confirm Anemia. Additional Test may be suggested to detect the Kinds of Anemia. Tests are-

1. Routine investigations:

Estimation of hemoglobin
Total count of R.B.C
Red cell indices
Examination of peripheral blood film
ESR

2. Special investigation:

Bone marrow examination
Biochemical examination
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

What can Happen, if Anemia Left Untreated?

If anemia left untreated, different complications may occur. Anemia Complications are-

Arrhythmia - Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Heart failure
Tissue Hypoxia - As mentioned earlier, hemoglobin has the important role of delivering oxygen to all parts of the body for consumption and carries back carbon dioxide back to the lung to exhale it out of the body. I said above in “What is Anemia” that the hemoglobin delivers oxygen to all parts of the body. But, in Anemia, this process may be failed and lead to tissue hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the body).

What is the way of Anemia Prevention?

Ways of Anemia Prevention are-

Eat a lot of iron-rich foods. Sources of iron are-
- Rich sources- liver, heart, kidney, meat.
- Good sources- green leafy vegetables, pulses, cereals, fish, dried fruits, oatmeal, apples, dried beans, molasses.
- Poor sources- milk, wheat, polished rice.
Coffee or tea reduces the absorption of iron. So, when you eat iron-rich food, don't drink it.
To prevent vitamin B-12 deficiency eat liver, kidney, milk, chicken, fish, curd etc.
To increase folic acid eat green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, liver, milk, egg, kidney etc.