فقر الدم Anemia

Anemia













Anemia
is a serious condition that can make a person feel tired and weak and can lead
to serious heart problems and other health complications.


The good news is anemia can
be treated and people may regain their independence and go on to live healthier,
more productive lives.





What is Anemia ?





The blood in our bodies is composed of three types of cells (red
blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) that circulate throughout the
body. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin (Hb), a red, iron-rich protein that
carries oxygen from the lungs to all of the body's muscles and organs. Oxygen
provides the energy the body needs for all of its normal activities. Anemia
occurs when the number of red blood cells (or the Hb in them) falls below
normal and the body gets less oxygen and therefore has less energy than it
needs to function properly.


Anemia may become worse if it is not treated, and it can lead to
potentially serious, even life-threatening complications. When the number of
red blood cells decreases, the heart works harder, pumping more blood to send
more oxygen throughout the body. If the heart works too hard, it can develop a
rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and/or another serious condition known as left
ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), an enlargement of the heart muscle that in turn
can lead to heart failure.





Who is At Risk ?


Evidence
shows that people who suffer from the following serious diseases are at
greatest risk of developing anemia:

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  
• Diabetes
  
• Cancer
  
• Heart Disease
  
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  

Also at risk are:

• People
  over the age of 65
  
• People
  with HIV/AIDS
  
• Patients
  undergoing surgery
  

Sings And Symptoms





Anemia
can be difficult to identify because early symptoms may be mild. In addition,
it is easy to mistake some symptoms of anemia for symptoms of serious disease
or medication side effects. As symptoms
of anemia worsen, however, they can significantly affect a person's quality of
life.






Anemia can make it hard to find the
energy to enjoy hobbies or other leisure activities, or even to complete basic
tasks at home or at work. Particularly for a person with a serious disease, the
fatigue, weakness and other symptoms associated with anemia can compound the
challenges of coping with the serious disease.


Major symptoms of anemia
include:

• Extreme
  fatigue
  
• Weakness
  
  
• Shortness
  of breath
  
• Confusion
  or loss of concentration
  
• Dizziness
  or fainting
  
• Pale
  skin, including decreased pinkness of the lips, gums, lining of the eyelids,
  nail beds and palms
  
• Rapid
  heart beat (tachycardia)
  
• Feeling
  cold
  
• Sadness
  or depression
  

Because the symptoms of
anemia are easily confused with the symptoms of other conditions, it is
important to see a doctor for an evaluation if you are experiencing significant
fatigue or other signs and symptoms listed above, or if you already have a
serious disease.















Doctors
diagnose anemia with the help of a medical history, physical exam and blood
tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) to measure levels of red blood
cells and hemoglobin in the blood.


On average, a normal
hemoglobin range should be between 12 and 18 g/dL (grams per deciliter of
blood).


Anemia occurs when the
number of red blood cells (or the hemoglobin in them) falls below these normal
ranges and the body's organs and tissues receive less oxygen than needed to
function properly. Although "normal" is something that varies from
person to person, if your numbers are below the ranges, then you may be feeling
worse than you should.


If you think you or someone
you know may suffer from anemia, ask your doctor to perform a simple blood test
to check your hemoglobin count.












The
treatment of anemia varies greatly depending on the type. Your physician will
help you determine the best treatment options, such as diet modification, or
nutritional supplements, or medication, if needed.


Treatment for anemia
associated with serious diseases tends to focus first on addressing the
underlying disease. But if anemia persists or symptoms worsen, treatment may
reduce the risk of severe, possibly life-threatening complications and improve
quality of life. Prescription treatments may be used to stimulate red blood
cell production and help correct anemia.


Perhaps the most common
form of anemia associated with serious diseases is anemia associated with
chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure.

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