Anemia: Definition, Causes, Classifications, and Treatments

What is Anemia?

Anemia is a situation when the body is lack of blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. This blood component did not have enough hemoglobin levels. When you feel tired even after sleeping and feel shorthanded after normal activity, then most likely you are suffering from anemia. Anemia can also be the basis of memory disorder or disturbance of your feelings. Some symptoms of anemia are weakness, dizziness, pale skin and aching head.

The causes of Anemia

Some of the causes of anemia are:

The low consumption of iron

Diet foods which are low in iron can cause anemia. Iron obtained from vegetables is not absorbed as well as the content of iron in meats. Some diseases such as celiac and crohn's can affect the absorption of iron.

Vitamin deficiency

The body requires vitamin B12 and folate to make red blood cells. Diet foods that are low of this vitamin can cause anemia. Some autoimmune diseases can also cause abnormalities in the absorption of this vitamin. Some of the content of foods like green vegetables, fruit, nuts, bread, and pasta contain folic acid.

Chronic Diseases

Some chronic diseases and infections can make the body produce fewer red blood cells. This can lower the levels of hemoglobin. When you lose a lot of blood, it can also cause anemia.

State of Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the abnormality occurs so that bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells. The cause can be a wide variety of such radiation in high doses, some chemicals, viruses, and auto-immune disease where the body attacks the body itself, as well as some of the cases which are derived.

Blood loss

Blood loss is one of the causes of anemia. Menstruation, ulcer, accident or surgery can cause loss of blood.

Some diseases

Some diseases which are passed down such as thalassemia and hemolytic anemia, can cause disruptions in the production of red blood cells. Diseases such as Sickle Cell Anemia, in which the red blood cells are produced abnormally, can also cause anemia.

The Classification of Anemia

Anemia generally can be classified based on the causes and mechanism of the occurrence, including:

The body loses too much blood (such as due to trauma, or suffering from specific diseases).
The body has a problem in producing red blood cells.
Red blood cells break down or died more quickly while the new red blood cells have not formed yet.

The above problems can occur singly but may also be a combination depending on the type of anemia. Based on the above classification, type of anemia that most frequently encountered are:

Anemia due to blood loss

Losing a lot of blood will lower the amount of blood in the body so that it will lead to anemia. Bleeding a lot could have happened because:

Trauma which is caused by injuries or accident
Excessive menstrual bleeding
Giving birth
Hidden bleeding; such as bleeding in the digestive tract.

Anemia due to disruption of production

Human red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow over stimulation of erythropoietin hormone which is produced by kidney. To form red blood cells and the hemoglobin, raw materials such as iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid are also needed. Therefore, if there is a deficiency with these substances, it will cause anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency Anemia is a type of anemia that is at most. Iron deficiency will cause this type of anemia, because iron is needed to make hemoglobin. Iron deficiency anemia in the red blood cells are smaller than normal (microcytic) and the color is paler (hypochromic) so it is also called hypochromic microcytic anemia. The levels of iron in the body can be low because of blood loss and less iron intake. In females, the red blood cells and iron lost when they experience excessive menstrual bleeding and when they give a birth. Anemia in pregnancy is also a type of iron deficiency anemia, especially when pregnant mothers have less iron intake. To prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia, don't miss the daily menus with iron-rich foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, or foods that are enriched with iron and if it is required, take additional supplements (on the instructions of the doctor).

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia (pernicious Anemia)

Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and maintain normalcy of nerve function. So if anyone is experiencing this pernicious anemia, this anemia is usually accompanied by nervous disorders, such as frequent tingling, numbness or sense of numb fingers on the hands and feet, memory disorders, and disorders of vision. The body could be a shortage of vitamin B12 because of the absorption disorders (autoimmune and intestinal disorder) and/or because of the lack of intake of foods that contain vitamin B12. To prevent and treat pernicious anemia, don't miss the foods rich in Vitamin B12 that is found in foods of animal products and take Vitamin B supplements when necessary (on the instructions of the doctor)

Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia (Megaloblastic anemia)

Deficiency of folic acid anemia is also known as megaloblastic anemia because when the blood is viewed under a microscope, the red blood cells size is larger than normal red blood cells. Megaloblastic anemia can occur if you do not consume enough folic acid or if you have a problem of absorption of vitamin B9. It can also occur during the third trimester of pregnancy, when your body needs folate supplement. Folate is a B vitamin found in foods such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans and peas. Folic acid is also found in fortified breads, pastas, and cereals.

Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia occurs when the body stops or not enough in making new blood cells. On aplastic anemia, the sufferer is not only experiencing deficiency of red blood cells, but also the white blood cells, and platelets. Low levels of red blood cells cause anemia, while low levels of white blood cells make the body is less able to fight infection. With a lack of platelets, the blood cannot freeze normally. Some causes of aplastic anemia are: cancer treatment (radiation or chemotherapy), exposure to toxic chemicals (as used in some insecticides, paints, and household cleaners), some drugs such as rheumatoid arthritis drug, autoimmune diseases such as lupus disease, virus infection, and disease which is derived from family as in Fanconi anemia.

Anemia due to abnormal red blood cells (easily broken/dead)

Sickle Cell Anemia

It is called sickle cell anemia because the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent that has tapered edges and has curved center like the letter C. These crescent red blood cells are more fragile than the normal red blood shells so that they have a shorter lifespan (the normal lifespan of red blood cells is 120 days). The speed of red blood cells production, on the other hand, is not that fast. Because of that, anemia happens. Blood cells that have this crescent shaped can be dangerous because it can get stuck in tiny blood vessels, thereby blocking blood flow to the organs of the body.

Thalassemia

People with Thalassemia produce fewer hemoglobin and red blood cells. This leads to mild or severe anemia. One of the severe forms of this condition is Cooley's Anemia.

Treatments of Anemia

To treat anemia, it is better to know the cause of the anemia first. There are some foods you can consume at home to deal with anemia such as iron supplements. This supplement is excellent when it is consumed with orange juice and foods containing vitamin c.

However it is recommended that these supplements don't get consumed with calcium, coffee, or tea as it may hinder the absorption. Some foods containing iron is red meat, liver, fish, tofu, beans, green vegetables, and fruits. Foods that are high in vitamin B12 and folic acid are dairy products, eggs, spinach and bananas.

The following are some practical steps to keep the food that we consume does not cause us having problem with our blood:

Eat foods high in iron, such as:

Liver
Nuts
Oyster
Tofu
Green vegetables, such as spinach
Red meat without fat
Fish
Dried fruit such as raisins

Eat and drink foods that can increase the absorption of iron in the body, such as:

Orange juice
Strawberry
Broccoli
Fruits and vegetables that contain lots of vitamin C
Do not drink coffee or tea while eating. This drink prevents the absorption of iron in the body.

Consume foods containing vitamin B12 such as:

Beef liver and oysters
Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and other dairy products that contain vitamin B12
Some cereal products, yeast, and other food products that contain vitamin B12.

Make sure you consume various types of food. The food which is varied and balanced in nutrition will prevent the occurrence of anemia. A diet that is too tight is one of the risk factors that can lead to anemia. Pregnant women and women in general should be more cautious, especially during menstruation because they are more susceptible to be exposed to anemia. Periodic health examination to find out the occurrence of anemia should be done every 5 years since adolescence.

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Anemia: Definition, Causes, Classifications, and Treatments