Medical and Health Project

What is anemia?

Anemia is a common blood disorder that occurs when red blood cells is below normal or when the blood hemoglobin concentration is low.

* Hemoglobin – blood element whose function is to distribute oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.

* Hematocrit – the measurement of the percentage of red blood cells are in a specific volume of blood.

Often, anemia is a symptom of a disease rather than a disease itself, and usually develops due to the presence of one of these factors:

* Excessive blood loss or hemorrhage
* Insufficient production of red blood cells
* Excessive red blood cell destruction
* Decreased production and excessive destruction of red blood cells

What are the symptoms of anemia?

Most symptoms of anemia occur because of the decrease of oxygen in the cells or “hypoxia.” Since red blood cells by hemoglobin, carry oxygen, decreased production or number of these cells result in “hypoxia.” Many of the symptoms do not occur if anemia is mild, because the body can usually compensate for gradual changes in hemoglobin.

Below are the most common symptoms of anemia. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include inter alia:

* Abnormal paleness or lack of color of skin
* Acceleration of heart rate (tachypnea)
* Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
* Lack of energy or tiring easily (fatigue)
* Dizziness or vertigo especially when standing
* Headaches
* Irritability
* Irregular menstrual cycles
* Absent or delayed menstruation (amenorrhea)
* Sores or swollen tongue (glossitis)
* Jaundice or yellowing of the skin, eyes and mouth
* Increased size of the spleen or liver (splenomegaly, hepatomegaly)
* Delay or delayed growth and development
* Slow healing of wounds and tissue

The symptoms of anemia may resemble other blood disorders or medical problems. Since anemia is often a symptom associated with another disease, it is important that your child’s doctor is informed of the symptoms seen in children. Always consult your child’s physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for anemia:

Specific treatment for anemia will be determined by your child’s physician based on:

* Your child’s age, overall health and medical history

* The severity of anemia

* The rate of anemia

* The cause of anemia

* Your child’s tolerance for specific medications, procedures or treatments

* Expectations for the development of anemia

* Your opinion or preference

Anemia can be difficult to treat, and treatment may include:

* Vitamin and mineral

* Changes in your child’s diet

* Drugs or discontinuation of the causative drugs

* Treatment of the causative disorder

* Surgery to remove the spleen (in the case of hemolytic anemia)

* Blood transfusions, if necessary (to replace significant blood loss)

* Antibiotics (if infection is causative agent)

* Bone marrow transplantation (for aplastic anemia)

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Tags: common blood disorder, Hemoglobin, red blood cells, the symptoms of anemia, Treatment for anemia