Anemia |
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Anemia is a common
blood disorder that is experienced by
numerous people all over the world.
The red blood cells distribute oxygen
to every organ of the body and oxygen
is the fundamental component required
for cells and tissues to survive. Less
oxygen is transported to the cells as
the amount of healthy red blood cells
decreases, so the body must work harder
to accomplish even simple tasks. When
the body undergoes continuous physical
activity over a long period of time
without an increase in oxygen carrying
capacity, the body becomes depleted
of its energy. The affected individual
experiences constant exhaustion which
is one of the most common symptoms of
anemia.
Causes and Risk Factors
Human blood consists
of plasma and cells such as Red Blood
Cells, White Blood Cells and platelets.
Red blood cells contain a protein called
hemoglobin that works as the oxygen-carrying
component of blood.
The human body
produces an average of 100 million new
Red Blood Cells each day with each Red
Blood Cell having a lifespan of approximately
120 days. Healthy individuals register
approximately five million Red Blood
Cells in every milliliter of blood and
approximately 15 milligrams of hemoglobin
in every 100 milliliters of blood.
Any discrepancy
from the normal number or size of red
blood cells in the blood increases an
individual's susceptibility to anemia.
Various factors are responsible for
causing anemia and they are iron deficiency,
blood loss, parasites, insufficient
hydrochloric acid in the stomach and
genetic disorder.
Iron Deficiency |
| Iron
is the main component that
is required for the synthesis
of hemoglobin. Iron is responsible
for the unique red color of
hemoglobin and the distinct
red color of blood. Other
components that are required
for making red blood cells
are proteins, vitamin B12
and folic acid. The deficiency
of iron, proteins and vitamins,
therefore, directly affects
the body's capability of manufacturing
red blood cells. Iron deficiency
is one of the most common
reasons for the development
of anemia.
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Blood Loss |
| A
reduction in red blood cells
may be due to nutritional
deficiency or heavy loss of
blood due to bleeding piles,
hemorrhage, accidents or severe
injuries. Thalassemic patients
lack a protein that is crucial
for completing the clotting
process during bleeding. Consequently,
patients of Thalassemia experience
considerable blood loss from
seemingly harmless cuts and
wounds. As a result these
patients always display typical
symptoms of anemia that are
associated with blood loss.
Women who experience heavy
flow during menstruation lose
a large quantity of blood
and fail to replenish it before
the next cycle. Eventually,
because of persistent blood
loss these women may become
anemic.
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Parasites |
| Parasites
such as roundworm, tapeworm,
whipworm and hookworm that
feed on human blood deplete
the blood supply of their
host and cause anemia as a
result. These parasites enter
the bodies of prospective
hosts and attach themselves
to a suitable site within
their bodies. After attachment,
they consistently feed on
their hosts' blood. Typically
the parasitic infestation
is not correctly diagnosed
until the parasite has fed
on a significant amount of
blood.
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Genetic Disorder |
| Sickle
cell anemia, a unique form
of anemia, is a genetic disorder
wherein the patient's body
produces sickle-shaped red
blood cells rather than normal
spherical red blood cells.
The oxygen carrying capacity
of sickle-shaped red blood
cells is much lower than that
of the normal shaped red blood
cells. As a result, individuals
with this genetic trait are
anemic.
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