Anemia - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Lack of blood or aanemia is a condition when the body lack blood cells healthy redor when red blood cells are not functioning properly. As a result, the organs of the body do not get enough oxygen, making people with anemia pale and tired easily.

Anemia can be temporary or long-term, with severity ranging from mild to severe. Anemia is a blood disorder or hematological disorder that occurs when the level of hemoglobin (the main part of red blood cells that binds oxygen) is below normal.

An adult is said to be anemic if the hemoglobin level is below 14 grams per deciliter for men, and below 12 grams per deciliter for women. If the hemoglobin level is below 8 grams per deciliter, anemia is classified as severe and is called anemia gravis. To treat anemia depends on the underlying cause, ranging from the consumption of iron supplements, blood transfusions, to surgery.

Causes of Anemia

Anemia occurs when the body lacks healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. As a result, the cells in the body do not get enough oxygen and do not function normally (hypoxemia).

Broadly speaking, anemia occurs due to the following three conditions:

  • Insufficient production of red blood cells.
  • Excessive blood loss.
  • The destruction of red blood cells is too fast.

The following are the types of anemia that commonly occur based on the cause:

1. Anemia due to iron deficiency

Lack of iron makes the body unable to produce hemoglobin (Hb). This condition can occur due to a lack of iron intake in the diet, or because the body is unable to absorb iron, for example due to celiac disease.

2. Anemia during pregnancy

Pregnant women have lower hemoglobin values ​​and this is normal. However, the need for hemoglobin increases during pregnancy, so more hemoglobin-forming substances are needed, namely iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. If the intake of these three nutrients is lacking, anemia can occur which can harm pregnant women and fetuses.

3. Anemia due to bleeding

Anemia can be caused by heavy bleeding that occurs slowly over a long period of time or occurs suddenly. The cause can be injury, menstrual disorders, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the stomach, colon cancer, or side effects of drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In addition, anemia due to bleeding can also be a symptom of intestinal worms due to hookworm infection that sucks blood from the intestinal wall.

4. Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia occurs when damage to the bone marrow makes the body no longer able to produce red blood cells optimally. This condition is thought to be triggered by infection, autoimmune disease, exposure to toxic chemicals, as well as side effects of antibiotics and drugs to treat it rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made. This condition can be inherited from parents, or acquired after birth due to blood cancer, bacterial or viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and side effects of drugs, such as paracetamol, penicillin, and antimalarial drugs.

6. Anemia due to chronic disease

Some diseases can affect the process of red blood cell formation, especially if it lasts for a long time. Some of these are Crohn's disease, kidney disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV/AIDS.

7. Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell anemia)

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a genetic mutation (change) in hemoglobin. As a result, hemoglobin becomes sticky and abnormally shaped, which is like a crescent moon. A person can develop sickle cell anemia if they have both parents who have the same genetic mutation.

8. Thalassemia

Thalassemia is caused by a mutation in a gene that affects the production of hemoglobin. A person can suffer from thalassemia if one or both parents have the same condition.

Symptoms of Anemia

Symptoms of anemia vary widely, depending on the cause. Patients with anemia may experience symptoms such as:

  • Weak and tired
  • Headache and dizziness
  • Often sleepy, for example sleepy after eating
  • Skin looks pale or yellowish
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Short breath
  • Chest pain
  • Cold in hands and feet

The above symptoms are often not recognized by the patient at first, but will be felt more and more as the anemia condition gets worse.

When to go to the doctor

Check with your doctor if you feel tired quickly or experience symptoms of anemia that are getting worse over time.

If you suffer from anemia that requires long-term treatment or even regularly receives blood transfusions, then you need to have regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor the progress of the disease.

Consult a doctor if you have conditions that can cause anemia, such as kidney disease, menstrual disorders, colon cancer, or hemorrhoids.

For pregnant women, decreased Hb is normal. To maintain the health of the mother and fetus, check your pregnancy regularly to the obstetrician. The obstetrician will provide supplements to prevent anemia during pregnancy.

If you suffer from a genetic disorder that causes anemia, such as thalassemia, or have a family who suffers from the disease, it is advisable to consult a doctor before planning to have children.

Anemia Diagnosis

To determine whether the patient is anemic, the doctor will perform a complete blood count. Through blood tests, the doctor will also measure the levels of iron, hematocrit, vitamin B12, and folic acid in the blood, as well as check kidney function. This examination is done to determine the cause of anemia.

In addition to blood tests, the doctor will perform other follow-up tests to look for causes of anemia, such as:

  • Endoscopy, to see if the stomach or intestines are bleeding.
  • Pelvic ultrasound, to determine the cause of menstrual disorders that cause anemia.
  • Examination of bone marrow aspiration, to determine the level, shape, and level of maturity of blood cells from the 'factory' directly.
  • Examination of amniotic fluid samples during pregnancy to determine the possibility of the fetus suffering from genetic disorders that cause anemia.

Anemia Treatment

The method of treating anemia depends on the type of anemia the patient has. Please note, treatment for one type of anemia can be dangerous for other types of anemia. Therefore, doctors will not start treatment until they know the exact cause.

Some examples of anemia treatment or blood deficiency drugs by type are:

  • Anemia due to iron deficiency

    This condition can be overcome by taking iron supplements and foods rich in iron, such as brown rice, meat, green vegetables, and beans. In severe cases, blood transfusion is required.

  • Anemia during pregnancy

    This condition is treated by giving iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements, the dosages of which are determined by the doctor.

  • Anemia consequence bleeding

    This condition is treated by stopping the bleeding. If needed, the doctor will also provide iron supplements or blood transfusions.

  • aplastic anemia

    Treatment is with blood transfusions to increase the number of red blood cells, or a bone marrow transplant (graft) when the patient's bone marrow can no longer produce healthy red blood cells.

  • Hemolytic anemia

    Treatment is by stopping the consumption of drugs that trigger hemolytic anemia, treating infections, taking immunosuppressant drugs, or removing the spleen.

  • Anemia due to chronic disease

    This condition is treated by treating the underlying disease. In certain conditions, blood transfusions and injections of the hormone erythropoietin are needed to increase the production of red blood cells.

  • Sickle cell anemia

    This condition is treated with iron and folic acid supplements, bone marrow transplants, and chemotherapy hydroxyurea. In certain conditions, the doctor will give painkillers and antibiotics.

  • Thalassemia

    In treating thalassemia, doctors can perform blood transfusions, giving folic acid supplements, removal of the spleen, and bone marrow grafts.

Complications of Anemia

If left untreated, anemia is at risk of causing some serious complications, such as:

  • Difficulty doing activities due to fatigue
  • Heart problems, such as heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) and heart failure
  • Lung disorders, eg pulmonary hypertension
  • Pregnancy complications, including premature delivery or babies born with low birth weight
  • Impaired growth and development if anemia occurs in children or infants
  • Vulnerable to infection

Anemia Prevention

Some types of anemia, such as anemia during pregnancy and anemia due to iron deficiency, can be prevented by eating a diet rich in nutrients, especially:

  • Foods rich in iron and folic acid, such as meat, cereals, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, breads, and fruits
  • Foods rich in vitamin B12, such as milk and its derivatives, as well as soy-based foods, such as tempeh and tofu.
  • Fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, melons, tomatoes, and strawberries.

In addition to food, anemia due to iron deficiency can also be prevented by taking iron supplements regularly.

Normal Hb levels for each person vary depending on age and gender. The following is the range of normal Hb values:

  • Adult males: 13 g/dL (grams per deciliter)
  • Adult women: 12 g/dL
  • Pregnant women: 11 g/dL
  • Infant: 11 g/dL
  • Children 1–6 years: 11.5 g/dL
  • Children and adolescents aged 6–18 years: 12 g/dL

To find out if your nutritional intake is sufficient, consult a nutritionist. If you have a family with anemia due to genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia, consult your doctor before planning a pregnancy, so that this condition does not occur in children.