Anemia, condition when the body lacks healthy red blood cells or when red blood cells do not function properly.

Blood loss or anemia is a condition when the body lacks healthy red blood cells or when red blood cells do not function properly. As a result, the body's organs do not get enough oxygen, thus making people with anemia pale and get tired easily.

Anemia can occur temporarily or in the long term, with severity that can be mild to severe. Anemia occurs when hemoglobin levels (the main part of red blood cells that bind oxygen) are below normal.

Adults are said to suffer from anemia when their hemoglobin level is below 14 grams per deciliter for men, and below 12 grams per deciliter for women. To overcome anemia depends on the underlying cause, ranging from consumption of iron supplements, blood transfusion, to surgery.

Causes of Anemia

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

Broadly speaking, anemia results from the following three conditions:

Red blood cell production is lacking.

Excessive blood loss.

The destruction of red blood cells that are too fast.

The following are common types of anemia based on their causes:

1. Anemia due to iron deficiency

Iron deficiency makes the body unable to produce hemoglobin (Hb). This condition can occur due to lack of iron intake in food, 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 that can harm pregnant women and the fetus.

3. Anemia due to bleeding

Anemia can be caused by heavy bleeding that occurs slowly over a long period or happens immediately. The cause can be injury, menstrual disorders, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the stomach, colon cancer, or side effects of drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). In addition, bleeding can also be caused by hookworm infections that suck blood from the intestinal wall.

4. Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia occurs when damage to the bone marrow renders the body unable to produce red blood cells optimally. This condition is thought to be triggered by infections, autoimmune diseases, exposure to toxic chemicals, as well as side effects of antibiotic drugs and drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cell destruction is faster than its formation. 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 diseases

Some diseases can affect the process of formation of red blood cells, especially if they last for a long time. Some of these include Crohn's disease, kidney disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV / AIDS.

7. Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell anemia)

Sickle cell anemia is caused by genetic mutations in hemoglobin. As a result, hemoglobin becomes sticky and has an abnormal shape, which is like a crescent. A person can develop sickle cell anemia if both parents have the same genetic mutation.

8. Thalassemia

Thalassemia is caused by gene mutations that affect 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 greatly, depending on the cause. Anemia sufferers can experience symptoms such as:

Limp and tired quickly

Headache and dizziness

The skin looks pale or yellowish

Irregular heartbeat

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Cold in the hands and feet

The above symptoms are often often not realized by patients, but will be increasingly felt as the anemia condition gets worse.

When to see a doctor

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

If you suffer from anemia that requires long-term treatment or even regularly receive blood transfusions, then you need to do regular control to the doctor to monitor the progress of the disease.

Consult your doctor if you experience 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 the fetus, check the pregnancy regularly to the obstetrician. Obstetricians will provide supplements to prevent anemia during pregnancy.

If you suffer from genetic disorders that cause anemia, such as thalassemia, or have a family suffering from the disease, it is advisable to consult with a doctor before planning to have children.

Anemia diagnosis

To determine whether the patient has anemia, the doctor will do a complete blood count. By examining a patient's blood sample, the doctor can determine the level of hemoglobin in the blood.

Normal hemoglobin levels depend on age, condition and sex. Someone can be said to suffer from anemia if the hemoglobin level is below the following numbers:

Children: 11-13 grams per deciliter.

Pregnant women: 11 grams per deciliter.

Male: 14-18 grams per deciliter.

Female: 12-16 grams per deciliter.

Through a blood test, the doctor will also measure blood levels of iron, hematocrit, vitamin B12, and folic acid, and check kidney function. The examination is carried out to determine the cause of anemia.

In addition to a blood test, the doctor will conduct further tests to find the cause of anemia, such as:

Endoscopy, to see whether the stomach or intestine is bleeding.

Pelvic ultrasound, to find out the cause of menstrual disorders that cause anemia.

Examination of bone marrow aspirations, 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 is suffering from. Please note, treatment for one type of anemia can be dangerous for other types of anemia. Therefore, the doctor will not start treatment before knowing the cause with certainty.

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

Anemia due to iron deficiency

This condition is overcome by consuming food and iron supplements. In severe cases, blood transfusion is needed.

Anemia during pregnancy

This condition is treated by supplementation with iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid, the dose of which is determined by the doctor.

Anemia due to bleeding

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

Aplastic anemia

The treatment is by blood transfusion to increase the number of red blood cells, or a bone marrow transplant (transplant) if 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 diseases

This condition is overcome by treating the underlying disease. Under 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 grafts, and chemotherapy, such as hydroxyurea. Under certain conditions, the doctor will give pain relievers and antibiotics.

Thalassemia

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

Complications of anemia

If left untreated, anemia risks causing several serious complications, such as:

Difficulty doing activities due to fatigue.

Problems with the heart, such as disorders of the heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and heart failure.

Disorders of the lungs, for example pulmonary hypertension.

Complications of pregnancy, including premature birth or low birth weight babies.

Disruption of growth and development process if anemia occurs in children or infants.

Susceptible to infection.

Prevention of Anemia

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, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables, bread, and fruits

Foods rich in vitamin B12, such as milk and its derivatives, and soy-based foods, such as tempeh and tofu.

Fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, melons, tomatoes, and strawberries.

To find out if your nutritional intake is sufficient, consult a nutrition specialist. If you have a family of anemic patients 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.

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