Types of Anemia

Anemia which is also referred to as anemia is a body condition that develops when one’s body lacks enough hemoglobin or enough health red blood cells (RBC’s) (Bardes, 2014). Hemoglobin is a significant component of red blood cells since it is responsible for binding oxygen. Therefore, if an individual has abnormal or too few RBCs, or if hemoglobin levels are too low, the cells in the body lack enough oxygen. When organs in the body fail to receive enough oxygen, symptoms like fatigue tend to occur. According to In Hallman (2014), anemia has proven to be the most common type of blood condition in the United States of America, affecting more than 3.5 million citizens. Research shows that individuals with chronic disease are at the highest risk of anemia, followed by women and young children.

There are two important areas that one should remember about anemia: for starters, research shows that some forms of anemia are hereditary; hence some infants tend to be infected from birth. Additionally, women who are still in their child bearing years tend to be particularly susceptible anemia. This is more so the iron-deficiency anemia since there is significant amount of blood loss during menstruation (Bardes, 2014). There is also the fact that older adults also tend to be at risk of developing anemia because of medical conditions that develop with old age and also lack of a proper and nutritious diet.

Types of Anemia

Research shows that there are more than 400 different types of anemia (Bardes, 2014). These different types are divided into three different Categories;

1. Anemia caused by destruction of Red Blood Cells
2. Anemia caused by blood loss
3. Anemia caused by faulty or decreased Red Blood Cells production.

These different types tend to be very different in terms of their causes and treatment. These different types have different types of causes and different types of treatment. The most treatable cause of anemia is the one caused by iron-deficiency as it is treated by iron supplements and other diet changes (Alan & Arsan, 2015). Other forms of anemia like the one developed during pregnancy are sometimes regarded as normal. However, there are some other types of anemia that have lifelong problems to an individual. According to Alan and Arsan (2015), the most common types of anemia are Iron deficiency anemia, Thalassaemia, Aplastic anemia, aemolytic anemia, Sickle cell anemia, Pernicious anemia and Fanconi anemia.

Anemia caused by blood loss

Red blood cells can be lost through bleeding. Most often this can happen over a long period of time and sometimes it goes unnoticed. If this bleeding is chronic, there are many things that can happen in a human body. This chronic bleeding may develop because of some gastrointestinal conditions such as hemorrhoids, ulcers, cancer and gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach (Semba et al, 2007). Additionally, it may also develop because of childbirth and menstruation in women, more so if there are multiple pregnancies or there is excessive bleeding during menstruation. Chronic bleeding leading to anemia can also develop because of used of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin as they can cause gastritis or ulcers.

Anemia caused by decreased or faulty Red Blood Cells Production

This happens because the body is not producing enough RBCs or the ones that are being produced are not functioning correctly (In Hallman, 2014). Either case can result in development of anemia. The decrease and the faultiness in RBCs can be as a result of lack of minerals and vitamins, meaning that the body would not work properly due to insufficiency in oxygen. There are conditions that have been associated with this cause of anemia such as; iron-deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, stem cell and bone marrow problems, vitamins deficiency and other health conditions.

Sickle cell anemia which is an inherited disorder affects many Americans today with Hispanic and African American populations being the most affected by this condition. This condition occurs when red blood cells become crescent-shaped as a result of genetic defect (Semba et al, 2007). The crescent-shaped RBCs tend to break down rapidly meaning that the oxygen does not get to the intended body organs, causing anemia. These crescent-shaped cells can also get stuck in the blood vessels causing so much pain.

Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition that occurs due to lack of iron in the body. Bone marrow requires a lot of iron to make hemoglobin, which is a significant part of RBCs as it transports oxygen all over the body. When there is not adequate iron in the body, hemoglobin cannot be produced in adequate amounts and this results in iron-deficiency anemia (Alan & Arsan, 2015). This occurs because of factors like; menstruation, endurance training, frequent blood donation, a poor iron diet more so in vegans, teens and children, digestive conditions such as the chronic disease, removal of some part of the small intestine or the stomach, and certain foods, drugs and caffeinated drinks.

Vitamin-deficiency anemia occurs when there is a deficiency of folate and Vitamin B12. These are significant vitamins needed in production of red blood cells. There are conditions that lead to anemia caused by deficiency of Vitamin B12 and folate. They include:

1. Pernicious anemia: poor absorption of vitamin B12 which can be as a result of Crohn’s disease, surgical removal of the stomach or some part of small intestine, an intestinal parasite infection or HIV infection.
2. Dietary deficiency: this can be as a result of eating too little or no meat at all. It can lead to deficiency in vitamin B12 while eating too few vegetables or overcooking them can leading to a deficiency in folate.
3. Megaloblastic anemia: this occurs when there is a deficiency of Vitamin B12, folate, or both.

There are other causes of vitamin deficiencies which include; alcohol abuse, certain medications, pregnancy and intestinal conditions such as celiac disease and tropical sprue.

Additionally, sometimes the bone marrow and other stem cells problems can prevent the body from producing sufficient red blood cells. Some stem cells that are found in bone marrow can develop into RBCs. If these stem cells are defective, too few or are replaced by foreign cells such as metastatic cancerous cells, this may lead to anemia (In Hallman, 2014). There are anemia problems that result from stem cell and bone marrow problems and they include;

1. Aplasttic anemia. This occurs when there is absence of stem cells, or when they are being produced in significantly low numbers. This type of anemia can also be inherited bearing the fact that it can happen even with no apparent cause. It can also occur when bone marrow is injured by chemotherapy, radiation, medications and infections.
2. Thalassemia is also another condition which tends to occur when the RBCs cannot grow or mature properly. This condition is hereditary and it typically affects people of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and those of African descent. The condition can range from mild to life-threatening in severity with the most severe form being known as Cooley’s anemia (Bardes, 2014).

• There is also exposure to lead that can be toxic to bone marrow, and it leads to production of fewer red blood cells. Lead poisoning most of the times tend to occur to in adults from work-related exposures, while in children it can occur as a result of eating paint chips. For instance, research has shown that food and drinks can be tainted by improperly glazed pottery.

Anemia associated with other conditions; this usually happens when the hormones necessary for RBCs production are too low (Semba et al, 2007). There are several conditions that can cause this type of anemia and they include: old age, hypothyroidism, advanced kidney disease and other chronic diseases such as diabetes, lupus, cancer, infections and rheumatoid arthritis

Anemia caused by destruction of RBC. Red Blood Cells may rapture permanently leading to hemolytic anemia. This can be as a result of fragility in RBCs when they can no longer withstand stress of routine in the circulatory system. Hemolytic anemia tends to be either present at birth and in some other cases it tends to develop later. Sometimes this condition happens with no known cause. However, there are known causes of hemolytic anemia and they include;

1. Inherited conditions like thalassemia and sickle cell anemia
2. Stressors such as drugs, infections, snake or spider venoms and certain foods.

• There are also toxics such as the ones produced in advanced kidney and liver diseases

1. There are also prosthetic heart valves, vascular grafts, clotting disorders, severe burns, severe hypertension and exposure to certain chemicals that can lead hemolytic anemia.
2. Hemolytic disease of the newborn which is an inappropriate attack by the immune system and it mostly happens in the fetus of a pregnant woman.
3. There are also rare cases where the spleen can enlarge trapping RBCs and destroying them even their circulating time is up.

Symptoms of anemia

Initially, it is significantly difficult to detect anemia symptoms. However, as they increase in intensity, it becomes easier for medical practitioners to suspects symptoms of anemia, and they can only be confirmed through a series of blood tests (Alan & Arsan, 2015). The most common signs and symptoms of different types of anemia include; shortness of breath, feeling tired and weak, fatigue, headache, light-headedness, dizziness, cold feelings in the hands and feet, heart palpitations, chest pains and paleness of the skin. A physician uses one’s medical history and order a blood cell known as CBC (complete blood count) to check on the various typed of cells in one’s blood. The physician may also decide to go ahead and order other tests to determine that exact type of anemia that one has.

Treatment

The type of treatment ordered by a physician depends on the aspects of type, cause and the severity that one has (Semba et al, 2007). Different types of anemia have different types of treatment, although the most common ones in every type of anemia include changes in the diet, use of supplements like vitamin B12, folic acid and iron supplements (Bardes, 2014). There are also other medications that are meant to address bone marrow and blood problems such as a blood transfusion aimed at increasing the number of good red blood cells in one’s body.

There are a few teaching areas that an anemic patient should understand. For starters, the doctor is the one who determines the best kind of treatment plan depending on the type of anemia one has. It is important to follow the treatment plan for it helps in preventing further complications. An anemic patient should also schedule routine checkups with the doctor to check on their progress and if there are health concerns, one should address them with his/her health care provider.

Although many time of anemia may not be preventable, there are few things that an anemic patient and the general public can do to lower the risks of developing anemia. For starters, chances of developing iron-deficiency anemia and vitamin-deficiency anemia can be decreased when one adopts health eating habits this means consuming foods with iron such as dark green and leafy vegetables  and beef. Vitamin B12 can also be found in dairy milk and beef, while folic acid can be found in citrus juices and in dark green and leafy vegetables. An anemic patient may also want to discuss use of multivitamins with a doctor. It is also important for an anemic patient to talk to his/her doctor about current prescriptions, and the best approach on using supplements and alternative medication in controlling or preventing anemia.

References

Alan, S., & Arsan, S. (2015). Prevention of the anaemia of prematurity. International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2(3), 99-106.

Bardes, C. L. (2014). Pale Faces: The Masks of Anemia. New York: Bellevue Literary Press.

In Hallman, A. (2014). Anemia: Prevalence, risk factors and management strategies.

Semba, R. D., Ricks, M. O., Ferrucci, L., Xue, Q. L., Chaves, P., Fried, L. P., & Guralnik, J. M. (2007). Types of anemia and mortality among older disabled women living in the community: the Women’s Health and Aging Study I. Aging clinical and experimental research, 19(4), 259-264.

Types of Anemia

Name

Institution

Types of Anemia

Anemia results when there are insufficient erythrocytes in the body to supply oxygen to the organs. Insufficient number of red blood cells results in low levels of hemoglobin, a protein rich in iron and helps the cells transport oxygen. Anemia is declared when the levels fall below 13.5 gram/100 ml and 12.0 gram/100 ml in men and women respectively (Terrie, 2013). There are several types of anemia that occur either through loss of blood, destruction, or reduced red bold cell synthesis as discussed below.

Iron-deficiency anemia – This type occurs when there is insufficient synthesis of erythrocytes by the body. It is the most common type and childbearing women are prone to this condition.

Pernicious anemia or Vitamin B-12 anemia – Vitamin B-12 is vital in the production of red blood cells by the body, and the intestine’s inability to absorb this vitamin results in pernicious anemia. Consumption of vitamin B-12 deficient foods is also a contributing factor.

Aplastic anemia – The bone marrow synthesizes red blood cells, and its destruction causes insufficient production. Physical and chemical factors such as X-rays and chemotherapy are contributing factors to bone marrow destruction. Low levels of red blood cells and autoimmune diseases cause this type of anemia.

Sickle Cell anemia – A hereditary anemic condition where the erythrocytes assume a sickle shape. The deformed cells undergo degradation faster than the healthy cells leading to an insufficient number of erythrocytes in the body causing anemia.

Trauma related anemia – This type of anemia occurs when the body loses a substantial amount of blood following an injury or accident. Hence, the body cannot supply oxygen to the organs because a large number of red blood cells have been lost through bleeding (Terrie, 2013).

Type of Anemia Causes Symptoms Diagnostic Tests Treatment

Iron-deficiency anemia Heavy menstruation

Insufficient iron in the diet

Bleeding caused by cancer, hemorrhoids, or ulcers

Malabsorption of iron in the body

Dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, malaise, paleness, and loss of concentration. Babies may experience fussiness, slow growth and development, and a short attention span. A physical examination involving medical history, complete blood count test and iron test to check the level of red blood cells and iron respectively. Taking iron supplement pills

Pernicious anemia Diet deficient in Vitamin B-12

Malabsorption of Vitamin B-12 by the small intestines

Palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest and leg pains, headache, diarrhea, weight loss, red and sore mouth and tongue Analysis of a blood sample to determine B12 levels and intrinsic factor antibodies.

Schilling test to determine absorption of B12 from the bowel Vitamin B12 injections

Aplastic anemia Bone marrow destruction caused by viral infections, toxic chemicals, X-rays, radiation and chemotherapy, pregnancy, and autoimmune disorders. Headache, pale skin, fatigue, dizziness, bleeding gums, nose bleeding, irregular heartbeat, skin rash, and prolonged bleeding Bone marrow biopsy. A small bone marrow sample is removed from a large bone and checked under a microscope to measure the level of blood cells.

Blood tests to determine the level of blood cells. Blood transfusion, observation and medication for mild cases, and bone marrow transplants for severe cases.

Sickle cell anemia Inheritance of two sickle cell genes from parents Swollen feet and hands, delayed growth, crises or severe pains, vision problems, jaundice, and multiple infections Simple blood test to check for hemoglobin S, which causes this type of anemia Medication to relieve pain and prevent infections; supplemental oxygen; blood transfusion, and bone marrow transplants

Trauma related anemia Serious loss of blood through accidents or severe injuries Abdominal pains, pale skin, extreme nausea, rapid breathing, fatigue, malaise, severe dizziness, and chest pains. Blood tests and observation Control of bleeding, blood transfusion, and iron supplements.

Sickle cell anemia is the most difficult to treat. This is because patients require consecutive treatment to relieve pain and prevent infection. In case of transplantation, they rarely find suitable stem-cell donors (Terrie, 2013).

Reference

Terrie, Y. C. (2013). Understanding Anemia: Types, Symptoms and Treatment. US News. Retrieved on 14 Oct. 2013 from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/04/13/understanding-anemia-types-symptoms-and-treatment