Anemia: Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Treatments

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Introduction

Anemia is a condition of not having enough healthy erythrocytes (red blood cells) to deliver oxygen throughout the body tissues. As this disorder often goes undiagnosed, the exact number of people who have anemia is difficult to determine. However, according to Health & Wellness the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates that about 3 million Americans have anemia; and some other resources estimate 4% of men and 8% of women have mild anemia. The prevalence of anemia is greater in women than men of age seventy-five or less than seventy-five.

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that features a heme half containing iron. Every heme combines with four oxygen molecules within the lungs for transport and unleash of oxygen to the remainder of the body cells. The decrease within the variety of red blood cells (RBC) within the blood means that a decrease in hemoglobin and thereby a decrease in iron levels. The deficiency of iron impairs the oxygen transportation to the body cells, leading to an unhealthy body.

Anemia develops when there are not enough red blood cells. This could happen if: the body is not making enough red blood cells. Also, bleeding causes loss of blood cells and destruction of red blood cells. Red blood cells are produced regularly from Iron, vitamin B-12, folate, and some other nutrients from food.

There are more than 400 types of anemia identified and most of them are rarely seen. The common types of anemia include iron deficiency anemia, caused by shortage of iron in the body and; vitamin deficiency anemia, caused by inadequate folate and vitamin B-12 in the body. Anemia of chronic disease, caused by HIV/AIDS, cancer, or arthritis can interfere the red blood cell production....

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...re, this disease features a poor prognosis. Lastly, hemolytic anemia is cured by removing the cause form it.

Works Cited

Wilson, Jennifer F., PhD Rebecca J. Frey, and PhD Jacqueline L. Longe. "Anemias." Collin College Library. Fitness & Wellness Resource Center. Web. 24 June 2011. .

"Anemia Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Treatments by EMedicineHealth.com." Anemia. Ed. Melissa Conard Stoppler. Emedicinehealth. Web. 24 June 2011. .

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Anemia - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Web. 24 June 2011. .

"Anemia, Severe Anemia, Lack of Hemoglobin." National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Web. 24 June 2011. .

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