Anemia: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Anemia refers to a very common medical condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.

In this article we will discuss the definition of anemia, its causes, types, clinical picture, complications, diagnosis and treatment.


◉ What is Anemia?

Anemia refers to a medical condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells and/or a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.

When the body does not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin, it can lead to reduced oxygen supply to organs and tissues, causing fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms.

Normal hemoglobin levels vary depending on sex in adults and age. Your doctor may suspect anemia if certain numbers are observed

Anemia is just one symptom among others that requires a thorough etiological diagnosis to determine the cause with a view to implementing appropriate treatment.

◉ Classification

Anemia is a complex condition with numerous causes and underlying mechanisms, resulting in several types of anemias presenting diverse clinico-biological manifestations .

◉ Anemia according to reticulocyte count

Depending on the reticulocyte count, anemia can be classified into:

◉ Anemia according to Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) is used to classify different types of anemia based on the average size of red blood cells into:

◉ Anemia according to the Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)

Based on MCH, anemia can be classified into:

◉ Types

There are different types of anemia that have distinct causes and may require specific treatments. Some common types of anemia include.

◉ Causes

The causes of anemia vary and may include:

◉ Symptoms

The symptoms of anemia can vary depending on the severity and the underlying cause. However, some common symptoms and signs of anemia include:

◉ Complications

Some common complications of anemia include:

◉ Diagnosis

Diagnosis of anemia usually involves several steps to identify the underlying cause of the anemia:

◉ Treatment

Treatment for anemia depends on the underlying cause. Some common treatment options for anemia include:


Sources

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  7. Overview of Anemia