Anemia means a shortage of red blood cells -- which function is to carry oxygen -- or a shortage or iron-containing hemoglobin, the chemical that carries oxygen and gives red cells their color.
There are many different causes of anemia. An example of these is the loss of blood due to an injury, which may lead to temporary anemia. The patient, in this case, should be given a blood transfusion. Soon the patient's body will produce new red blood cells and the body's function will be back to normal. Another cause of anemia is inheritance. Sickle-cell anemia is an inherited disease that cause the premature destruction of the red blood cells.
Other kinds of anemia occurs because the body's chemistry is not working right. There might be something wrong in the bone marrow, where red blood cells were prodeced. The most common cause of anemia in children is a diet low in certain foods that are needed in making hemoglobin -- foods such as meat, fish, green vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, which are all rich in either iron or vitamin B. Some people may have eaten these foods but indigestion may have occured.
How Do I Know If I Have Anemia?
To diagnose anemia, your doctor will likely do the following:
There are many different causes of anemia. An example of these is the loss of blood due to an injury, which may lead to temporary anemia. The patient, in this case, should be given a blood transfusion. Soon the patient's body will produce new red blood cells and the body's function will be back to normal. Another cause of anemia is inheritance. Sickle-cell anemia is an inherited disease that cause the premature destruction of the red blood cells.
Other kinds of anemia occurs because the body's chemistry is not working right. There might be something wrong in the bone marrow, where red blood cells were prodeced. The most common cause of anemia in children is a diet low in certain foods that are needed in making hemoglobin -- foods such as meat, fish, green vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, which are all rich in either iron or vitamin B. Some people may have eaten these foods but indigestion may have occured.
How Do I Know If I Have Anemia?
To diagnose anemia, your doctor will likely do the following:
- Take your medical history
- Perform a physical exam
- Order laboratory tests
You can help by providing detailed answers about your symptoms, family medical history, diet, medications you take, alcohol intake, and ethnic background. Your doctor will look for symptoms of anemia and other physical clues that might point to a cause.
Blood tests will not only confirm the diagnosis of anemia but also help point to the underlying condition. Blood tests may include the following:
Blood tests will not only confirm the diagnosis of anemia but also help point to the underlying condition. Blood tests may include the following:
- Complete blood count (CBC), which determines the number, size, volume, and hemoglobin content of red blood cells
- Blood iron level and your serum ferritin level, the best indicators of your body's total iron stores
- Levels of vitamin B-12 and folate
- Special blood tests to detect rare causes of anemia, such as an immune attack on your red blood cells, red blood cell fragility, and defects of enzymes, hemoglobin and clotting
- For suspected hemolytic anemia, tests to identify the breakdown products of red blood cells in your blood and urine
Only in rare cases will a doctor need to remove a sample of bone marrow to determine the cause of your anemia.
What Are the Treatments for Anemia?
Your doctor will not treat your anemia until the underlying cause has been established. The treatment for one type of anemia may be both inappropriate and dangerous for another type of anemia.
What Are the Treatments for Anemia?
Your doctor will not treat your anemia until the underlying cause has been established. The treatment for one type of anemia may be both inappropriate and dangerous for another type of anemia.
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