Anaemia is a medical condition marked by a low count of red blood cells in the body. It usually presents in routine blood tests as low haemoglobin or haematocrit, as haemoglobin is the most important component of the red blood cells. If the haemoglobin level is too low, it can lead to the deficiency of oxygen in the body, giving rise to symptoms like breathlessness, weakness and fatigue.
There are over 400 different types of anaemia which are broadly divided into three categories:
- Anaemia caused by the loss of blood
- Anaemia caused by low or faulty production of red blood cells
- Anaemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells
Causes
Various causes of anaemia include:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by conditions like ulcers, haemorrhoids, cancer, and gastritis
- Excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Blood loss experienced in a traumatic injury or, during a surgical procedure
- Deficiency of minerals and vitamins
- Problems with bone marrow stem cells
- Hemolytic diseases in newborns
- Genetic conditions like Sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia
- Underlying hepatic or renal disease
- Using prosthetics and vascular grafts
- Clotting disorders
Symptoms
Various symptoms associated with anaemia include:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Persistent of frequent headaches
- Pain and discomfort in the chest, belly, bones and joints
- Growth defects in children
- Breathlessness
- Yellowing of skin
- Feeling cold all the time
Diagnosis
Anaemia is usually diagnosed with the help of a blood smear, for assessing the shape of the red blood cells.
Reticulocyte count is done to look out for red blood cells that are still immature
Treatments
Aplastic anaemia is managed with medication, blood transfusion for bone marrow transplant.
Hemolytic anaemia is managed with the help of immunosuppressants that help to hold back the patient's immune system
Anaemia caused by internal bleeding can be fixed with the help of a surgery
Sickle Cell anaemia can be treated with the help of painkillers, supplements, antibiotics and oxygen therapy
Patient suffering from Thalassemia major recommended blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant, or even surgery
Why Eternal Hospital?
At Eternal Hospital, we have a highly qualified and dedicated team of experts who are always committed to providing the latest and most advanced medical care to all our patients. Being a trusted name in healthcare, we act compassionately while ensuring confidentiality to those who need it. We have set high standards in patient-centric premium care along with outstanding patient safety and exceptional maintenance in a timely manner. We adhere to the use of up to the minute innovations to offer state-of-the-art treatments to our patients with unparalleled results.
