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Anemia- types and symptoms
Source : Health Section Khalsa News Network
Publish Date : 2/24/2005
Anemia is a disorder of the blood and is defined as decrease in hemoglobin in the blood to levels below the normal range. It may be caused by a decrease in red cell production, or blood loss. The major loss of this problem is that it can cause the onset of many other illnesses, besides fatigue, headache, weakness, dizziness, numbness of extremities ? especially fingers and toes, drowsiness.
There are several different types of anemia. The most common types of anemia are: aplastic, iron deficiency, sickle cell and trauma related or blood loss anemia. Each type of anemia has it?s own cause, so the signs, symptoms and treatments of various types will differ.
1. Aplastic anemia is caused by the destruction of the bone marrow by outside factors such as chemical agents, medical treatments or physical factors. These factors include arsenic, nitrogen, x-rays, chemotherapy and other sources of ionizing radiation. These outside factors will cause the bone marrow to slow or suppress the production of red blood cells.
Signs and symptoms of aplastic anemia are pallor of skin, fingernail beds and mucous membranes, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, increase heart rate and heart palpitations, chest pain, gastrointestinal disturbance, loss of libido and a consistent slight fever. Treatment for aplastic anemia will consist of replacement therapy to supplement the bone marrow?s inability to produce red blood cells including vitamin B12, iron and folic acid in addition to altering the chemical agent that is causing the anemia. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be deemed necessary for immediate relief.
2. Iron deficiency anemia results when the body has a greater demand for iron ? the building blocks of red blood cells ? than what is stored or available. It is the most common type of anemia as is estimated to affect approximately 18 million people in the US. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by an inadequate iron intake, the body?s inability to absorb iron from the diet, chronic blood loss, pregnancy or lactation or a combination of these factors.
The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include pale skin, fingernail beds and mucous membranes, fatigue, headache, weakness, dizziness, heart palpitations or heart rate fluctuations, tremors, numbness of extremities ? especially fingers and toes, drowsiness, gastrointestinal disturbances, loss of libido and dry mouth. Treatment of iron deficiency anemia is proper diet, which includes an adequate amount of iron rich foods, in combination with an iron supplement.
3. Sickle cell anemia is a serious blood disorder and is characterized by the red blood cells taking a crescent ? or sickle ? shape. It is a hereditary chronic condition. It is caused by the presence of an abnormal type of hemoglobin in the red blood cells and is passed via genetic factors from parents to children.
The signs and symptoms of sickle cell vary from patient to patient depending upon the severity of the disorder. These signs and symptoms can be painful and often times life threatening. Sickle cell crisis ? when the sickled or malformed cells interfere with oxygen transport, obstruct capillary blood flow and cause fever and sever pain in the joint and the abdomen ? can occur with no warning and with unknown cause. Due to this, it is very important to have medial intervention immediately if/when sickle cell anemia is suspected.
Treatment of sickle cell anemia includes supplemental iron and blood transfusions in combination with supportive and genetic counseling. Currently, there is no standard treatment for sickle cell anemia ? as well as no cure ? but research continues in a quest to find a viable treatment for those who suffer. It occurs primarily in the African-American population but also has high occurrence rates in other Mediterranean and black populations.
4. Trauma related or blood loss anemia is anemia due to the body losing a large amount of red blood cells at one time ? such as in a trauma where quantities of blood is lost through injury. The cause of blood loss anemia is due to the body?s inability to transfer oxygen or nutrients to the organs without the presence of red blood cells. When a large amount of red blood cells are lost, the body will compensate by access any and all reserves of iron and nutrients in the body, causing anemia.
Signs and symptoms of blood loss anemia are similar to the Aplastic anemia along with evidence of blood loss either externally or internally. Treatment of blood loss anemia includes immediate measures to stop bleeding ? both internally and externally, restoring blood volume with transfusion and fluids, taking precautionary measures to prevent the onset of shock and maintenance with iron supplements.
Orangeburg woman runs 'Save a Life' drive
By ALICE GOMSTYN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
August 12, 2007 - PEARL RIVER - Dozens gathered at the Hilton Pearl River yesterday for "Rockland Save a Life," a blood and bone-marrow drive organized by Eileen McCabe of Orangeburg.
McCabe, 40, who has a rare blood disorder, said that by the early afternoon, some 65 people had taken part in the drive.
"I'm thrilled. I'm really excited," she said. "I appreciate everybody being so kind to come and do this."
McCabe, a Nanuet native, has paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH. The bone-marrow and blood disorder is caused by the production of mutated red blood cells rapidly destroyed by the body.
Between 300 and 500 new cases of PNH are diagnosed each year, according to the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation in Maryland.
McCabe suffered for 10 years but, at age 28, an experimental treatment brought her into remission.
Today, McCabe said, she's continuing to do well.
"I was at the doctor last week," she said yesterday. "All my blood counts are good."
McCabe organized yesterday's drive with the help of the Hudson Valley Blood Center, the Marrow Foundation and Jesse's Wish, which is paying for part of the costs associated with testing blood samples for bone marrow matches.
McCabe and her husband, Brian, are raising money to cover the rest of the testing costs.
Yesterday's event drew both veteran and first-time donors. Many were McCabe's friends.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," said Joanne Morris, 39, a Hamburg, N.J., resident who used to live in Blauvelt.
"I haven't donated blood in a very long time but this brought me out," Morris said.
McCabe was widely praised by many of the donors in attendance.
"I think she's doing a good service for the community," said Matt Riley, 66, of Blauvelt. "It's a very courageous campaign that she's got going and it's been a great success."
Journal News staff writer Amisha Padnani contributed information to this report.
Reach Alice Gomstyn at agomstyn@lohud.com or 845-578-2420.
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