Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells, or insufficient hemoglobin within the red blood cells. There are many different types of anemia.
Iron-deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of dietary iron, and there is not enough of this mineral to form sufficient hemoglobin. A person with this type of anemia may have a normal RBC count and a normal hematocrit, but the hemoglobin level will be below normal.
A deficiency of vitamin B12, which is found only in animal foods, leads to pernicious anemia, in which the RBCs are large, misshapen, and fragile. Another cause of this form of anemia is lack of the intrinsic factor due to autoimmune destruction of the parietal cells of the stomach lining.
Sickle-cell anemia has already been discussed in previous post. It is a genetic disorder of hemoglobin, which causes RBCs to sickle, clog capillaries, and rupture.
Aplastic anemia is suppression of the red bone marrow, with decreased production of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets. This is a very serious disorder that may be caused by exposure to radiation, certain chemicals such as benzene, or some medications. There are several antibiotics that must be used with caution since they may have this potentially fatal side effect.
Hemolytic anemia is any disorder that causes rupture of RBCs before the end of their normal life span. Sickle-cell anemia and Rh disease of the newborn are examples. Another example is malaria, in which a protozoan parasite reproduces in RBCs and destroys them. Hemolytic anemias are often characterized by jaundice because of the increased production of bilirubin.
Apart from the above mentioned anemias, there are few others like megaloblastic anemia, sideroblastic anemia etc. These are somehow related to the above mentioned anemias. No matter whatever the cause of anemia be its signs and symptoms are similar. Cause is basically needed for the proper treatment of the disease.
Apart from the above mentioned anemias, there are few others like megaloblastic anemia, sideroblastic anemia etc. These are somehow related to the above mentioned anemias. No matter whatever the cause of anemia be its signs and symptoms are similar. Cause is basically needed for the proper treatment of the disease.