Anaemia:

Anaemia is the condition in which the amount of haemoglobin in the body is less than normal. Haemoglobin is a chemical which is present in the red blood cells and is essential to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body where it is needed to keep the body alive. A reduction in the bodys capacity to transport oxygen to where it is needed throughout the body can produce a variety of symptoms including lethargy and tiredness, feeling faint, palpitations, breathlessness and a pale appearance. Depending on the underlying cause of the anaemia, there may be other symptoms as well.

The body needs various substances to constantly make red blood cells and haemoglobin, including a healthily functioning bone marrow and nutrients from the diet such as iron and certain vitamins, eg, folic acid and vitamin B12.

In the UK, the commonest cause of anaemia is a lack of iron. This can result from either a diet deficient in iron, a reduced ability of the body to absorb iron or an excessive loss of iron from the body.

A normal, balanced diet usually contains enough iron for the bodys needs, although this amount may be inadequate during times of increased requirement such as during pregnancy or childhood growth spurts.
In ladies a common cause of iron deficiency anaemia is the blood loss resulting from heavy menstrual periods.
Less commonly, the body may have difficulty absorbing iron from the gut (eg, Coeliac disease).
Iron deficiency anaemia can also result from bleeding from the lining of the guts, (ie, stomach and intestines). Such bleeding can go unnoticed particularly when the bleeding is slow or intermittent.

There are a host of other causes of anaemia including vitamin deficiencies such as folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia) and problems with the red blood cell itself (eg Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia). Several chronic ongoing diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis are associated with anaemia. Bone marrow problems and leukaemia are less common causes.

Given the large spectrum of conditions that can result in anaemia, it is important to find the underlying cause. Often this is obvious, for example in ladies who have heavy menstrual periods. In other situations it may be necessary to do several blood tests and perhaps undergo hospital investigations such as telescopic camera examinations of the stomach and lower intestines to search for causes of bleeding.

Just as anaemia has several possible causes, treatment will vary depending on the condition responsible for it. Women who become anaemic as a result of heavy menstrual periods may therefore merely need iron tablets or possibly more specific treatments to reduce the amount of blood lost with each period. Vitamin deficiencies require replacement of the appropriate nutrient and gut problems, eg, stomach ulcers, will probably need specific anti-ulcer treatment.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice or substituted for professional advice. Always consult your doctor with your questions and concerns.