Anemia Causes and Symptoms :

Anemia Causes :

Anemia has become one of the deadliest disease in India, afflicting every age group. In fact, statistics say that out of every 3 pregnant females, one is anemic. Anemia occurs when the blood count (red blood cells) falls below 4 million RBC/mm3. Anemia causes are a grave reason for concern in developing countries where exposure is maximum, most of which is poor nutrition.

Causes of anemia include :
1. Malnutrition
2. Chronic disease
3. Pregnancy
4. Infections like malaria, dengue
5. Kidney Disease

According to the anemia causes, anemia can be broadly grouped into disorders of red cell production or increased destruction of red cells. Disorders of red cell production can be due to nutritional deficiency like iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. Others include pernicious anemia, aplastic anemia. Increased destruction of red cells is evident in conditions like sickle cell disease, blood loss due to chronic disease like colon cancer.

Anemia Symptoms :

An anemic individual would come to the OPD with few distinct anemia symptoms and signs. Detecting them at the wink of an eye is a sign of an experienced medical professional.

Symptoms of anemia include :
1. Fatigue
2. Irritability
3. Headache
4. Palpitations
5. Shortness of breath

Though these symptoms are pretty evident for a clinician, there are few anemias that can only be detected by blood tests. It is only when the blood hemoglobin levels drop below 12 (in males) or 11 (in females) that the anemia symptoms manifest. Sometimes, even after taking oral iron supplements, the anemia recurs. This is a marker that the condition needs more vigorous treatment.