Different types of anemia

Anemia is not a disease. Rather, it is a symptom of other medical conditions or complications of medical treatments. The definition of anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin in levels below the normal range. This can be caused by a decrease in red blood cell production or an increase in blood loss.

Because there are different causes for the anemia there are also different types of anemia. The most common types of anemia are iron deficiency anemia which is cause by a lack of iron in the diet or the inability of the individual to adequately absorb iron from their food. Iron deficiency anemia can also be a problem in individuals who have a chronic blood loss, such as women who have heavy periods every month secondary to fibroids, or from an increased iron need during pregnancy when the maternal body is supplying iron to the baby\’s body so it can produce tissue, muscle and blood cells.

Another type of common anemia is aplastic anemia which is a blood disorder caused by the destruction of bone marrow by outside factors such as chemical agents, medical treatments or physical factors. Individuals can suffer from arsenic poisoning, too much x-ray, chemotherapy or sources of ionizing radiation. These will slow the bone marrow or suppress the production of red blood cells. Treatments for aplastic anemia will consist of replacement therapy to supplement the bone marrow\’s inability to produce the blood cells as well as altering the chemical agents that caused the anemia in the first place.

Sickle cell anemia is a serious blood disorder that occurs in a population which carries the sickle cell gene. It has a high occurrence rate in the African American population as well as the Mediterranean population. Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary condition in which the blood cells take on a crescent shape. This shape is an inefficient oxygen carrier. So, while the individual may have the proper number of red blood cells those cells that are available do not efficiently carry oxygen. And, research has found, lack of oxygen will cause these cells to change to a crescent shape which cannot pass each other in a small capillaries. This change causes an occlusive pain crisis. Immediate intervention is necessary is sickle cell anemia is suspected. Treatments can include supplemental iron, blood transfusions and hydroxyurea.

During a trauma related blood loss an individual will suffer from anemia. Classification is a trauma where quantities of blood are lost through an injury. This blood loss will hamper the body\’s ability to transfer oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues. Signs and symptoms are similar to all of the anemias and include nausea, gastrointestinal dysfunction, weakness, rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, fingernail and mucous membrane\’s pale color, moist skin, and increased respiratory rate.

Less commonly individuals may suffer from folate deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. These conditions results as a deficiency of either folate or vitamin B12. Individuals who suffer from a lack of vitamin B12 may not only have problems with dietary deficiency but may also be present in individuals who have had gastric bypass surgery or other chronic gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn\’s disease or celiac disease. Anemia as a result of a lack of vitamins B12 is referred to as pernicious anemia.

Thalassemia is another anemia which is caused from genetic mutations, when the body\’s genes become damaged or mutated. This disease has both a mild and severe a variety and tends to be present at birth. The most common severe thalassemia in the United States is Cooley\’s anemia. A number of ethnic groups are at higher risk, including people of Africa, China, Philippines, India, Italy, Greece and Middle East.

While there are a variety of different causes and types of anemia the importance factor to remember is that without treatments this particular symptom can cause permanent damage to the heart, lungs and kidneys. Thankfully, there has been widespread research into both cause and treatment of many of the difference in anemias. If you, or someone you know, suspect they may have anemia because of symptoms it is important that they seek the advice of their primary care physician and receive treatments to avoid any permanent damage or scarring to the heart, kidneys or lungs.

RESOURCES

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Types of Hemolytic Anemia

American Society of Hemotology: Anemia