Blood loss, poor red blood cell production, or elevated rates of red blood cell destruction may cause anemia. Women of childbearing years represent one of the highest risk groups for developing anemia, being affected by blood loss due to menstruation or increased hemoglobin needs due to pregnancy. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body and carbon dioxide back for exhalation. Guided therapy using hemoglobin concentration measurement and monitoring can be an effective approach for managing anemic patients, forming the basis for an individualized, tailored form of treatment.
There are numerous risk factors for anemia, including age, gender, geography, and health status. Gender and age are perhaps one of the biggest risk factors for iron-deficiency anemia, with women and children having a higher likelihood for developing anemia. Also, increased blood loss, as in the case of surgery, heavy menstruation, or increased demand during multiple pregnancies, is a common predictor for anemic risk.
Young children are also at a high risk for anemia due to lack of iron-rich food choices while having elevated hemoglobin needs to manage their growth at the same time. Toddlers and children of preschool age have the highest prevalence of anemia at Children require more iron for growth and development, yet many children receive less than their recommended daily value.
Iron-fortified foods, like commercial cereals, are recommended to children aged 6 months and older to help reduce anemia risk. Women of childbearing age are the population with the most affected individuals, with an estimated million being non-pregnant women, according to WHO 1 and are the highest at-risk population group for iron-deficiency anemia.
Malaria, schistosomiasis and hemoglobinopathies are other main contributors. Bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract is a common factor causing anemia, as is bleeding from surgery or injury. In these cases, hemoglobin levels should be monitored via hemoglobin analyzers in order to guide treatment course.
Aplastic anemia occurs if your bone marrow stops producing red blood cells. Aplastic anemia may be due to primary bone marrow failure, myelodysplasia a condition in which the bone marrow produces abnormal red blood cells that do not mature properly , or occasionally as a side effect of some medications. If you appear to have a form of aplastic anemia, your doctor may refer you to a hematologist for a bone marrow biopsy to determine the cause of the anemia. Medications and blood transfusions may be used to treat aplastic anemia.
Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed in the blood stream. This may be due to mechanical factors a leaky heart valve or aneurysm , infection, or an autoimmune disease.
The cause can often be identified by special blood tests and by looking at the red blood cells under a microscope. The treatment will depend upon the cause and may include referral to a heart or vascular specialist, antibiotics, or drugs that suppress the immune system.
Talk with your doctor if you believe you may be at risk for anemia. Your doctor will determine your best course of treatment and, depending on your condition, may refer you to a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in blood disorders. While many types of anemia cannot be prevented, eating healthy foods can help you avoid both iron-and vitamin-deficiency anemia. Foods to include in your diet include those with high levels of iron beef, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts , vitamin B meat and dairy , and folic acid citrus juices, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified cereals.
A daily multivitamin will also help prevent nutritional anemias; however, older adults should not take iron supplements for iron-deficiency anemia unless instructed by their physicians.
If you find that you are interested in learning more about blood diseases and disorders, here are a few other resources that may be of some help:. Search Blood , the official journal of ASH, for the results of the latest blood research.
While recent articles generally require a subscriber login, patients interested in viewing an access-controlled article in Blood may obtain a copy by e-mailing a request to the Blood Publishing Office. Agenda for Nematology Research. About Us. Precision Medicine. Genome Editing and Gene Therapy. These include coffee, tea, milk, egg whites, fiber, and soy protein. Try to avoid these foods if you have iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant people may be tested for anemia or take an iron supplement to help prevent it.
However, the American Academy of Family Physicians AAFP has insufficient evidence to assess the benefits and risks of screening all pregnant people for iron deficiency anemia or having them take an iron supplement.
Evidence also is lacking to measure the benefits and risks of screening children ages 6 to 24 months. To help prevent your child from getting iron deficiency anemia, you can:.
Warning: Keep all products with iron stored out of reach of your child. Iron can be toxic if taken in large amounts. There are many treatment options for anemia. They vary based on the type, cause, and severity, as well as your overall health. The first goal of treatment is to create more healthy red blood cells that can carry enough oxygen to your body. The other goal is to treat the cause, if possible. For example, if anemia results from losing too much blood, your doctor will need to treat the cause of your blood loss.
If you have a type of anemia caused by a deficiency, make changes to your diet. This can increase your nutrient levels or help your body absorb nutrients. In some cases, your doctor can prescribe medicine to help your body produce more red blood cells.
Examples include:. Other forms of anemia require intense treatment. You may need surgery to stop blood loss or have your spleen removed. Other treatments include a blood transfusion or a blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant. Talk to your doctor about how to manage a chronic disease or other health problem that causes anemia.
Following treatment, most people go on to live normal, healthy lives. However, anemia can have lasting, or life-threatening, effects. These are more common if the condition is chronic, severe, or left untreated. They include:. Children who have iron deficiency anemia have a higher risk of lead poisoning. They also can develop mental, motor, or behavioral problems over a long time. Pregnant women who have iron deficiency anemia may have their baby premature or at a low birth weight.
There also is a risk of needing a blood transfusion if you lose a lot of blood during delivery. Anemia may be associated with postpartum depression. This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
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Strabismus is an eye disorder. It affects the muscle control in your eyes. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Fever in Infants and Children. Vomiting and Diarrhea. Home Diseases and Conditions Anemia. Table of Contents. What is anemia? There are a few other types of anemia, including: Aplastic anemia. This occurs when your bone marrow has damaged stem cells.
Your body fails to produce enough new blood cells. The condition affects your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Sometimes it is called bone marrow failure.
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