Search results
Aug 20, 2024 · 10. Loss of Appetite. A poor appetite is a common symptom of anemia. Studies suggest that some people with an iron deficiency don’t feel like eating because the condition causes changes in the ...
- Anemia Risk for Vegans and Vegetarians
Treatment for anemia varies depending on the type of anemia....
- Iron-deficiency anemia
Foods like liver and shellfish have high amounts of iron —...
- Anemia Risk for Vegans and Vegetarians
- Overview
- What are the types of anemia?
- Microcytic anemias
- Normocytic anemias
- Macrocytic anemia
- Can anemia be prevented?
- The bottom line
There are many different types of anemia. Although all types of anemia are characterized by dysfunctional or low levels of red blood cells, the causes, severity, and treatment of the different kinds of anemia can vary.
Anemia is a health condition that occurs when you don’t have enough red blood cells or when the red blood cells in your body are unable to function properly. Anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
There are many types of anemia. Some types of anemia can be treated easily and resolved quickly. Other types are more serious and require more intensive, possibly lifelong, treatment.
This article looks at the different types of anemia, their causes, and treatment options.
There are many types of anemia. Although all anemia types are characterized by low levels of red blood cells or red blood cells that don’t work as they should, there can be significant differences in the causes, severity, and treatment between each type.
Anemia is typically diagnosed with blood tests that look at the number, shape, and health of your red blood cells. If the condition is diagnosed as anemia, treatment will depend on the type of anemia you have.
Anemia is typically divided into three main types, each of which can have different causes:
•Microcytic: With microcytic anemia, red blood cells don’t have enough hemoglobin. As a result, the red blood cells are smaller than normal.
•Normocytic: In normocytic anemia, there aren’t enough red cells to meet your body’s needs. Normocytic anemia tends to accompany certain chronic diseases.
•Macrocytic: Macrocytic anemia happens when bone marrow makes red blood cells that are larger than normal.
In microcytic anemia, red blood cells are smaller than they should be. This happens because your red blood cells don’t have enough hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen through your bloodstream and throughout your body.
The types of conditions that can cause microcytic anemia include:
•Iron-deficiency anemia: Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common cause of microcytic anemia, and it happens when your body doesn’t have sufficient iron to make hemoglobin. Without enough hemoglobin, your red blood cells have a harder time delivering oxygen throughout your body. As a result, you may feel tired and out of breath. Common causes of iron-deficiency anemia include:
•blood loss due to internal bleeding, heavy menstrual periods, or surgery
•not enough iron in your diet
•difficulty absorbing iron
With normocytic anemias red blood cells are all the same size, but there aren’t sufficient levels of circulating red blood cells to meet your body’s needs.
Normocytic anemia is most often caused by an underlying chronic illness. Less frequently, you may be born with it, or it can be a side effect of a medication.
The most common conditions that can affect red blood cell production and lead to normocytic anemia include:
•Anemia of chronic disease (ACD): Diseases that cause inflammation are the underlying cause of ACD. Inflammation can reduce the production of red blood cells or cause weaker red blood cells to be produced that die more quickly. Many types of chronic diseases that cause inflammation can lead to ACD, including:
•autoimmune conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
•infections such as tuberculosis or transmissions of HIV
Megaloblastic anemia
Megaloblastic anemia happens when you don’t get enough vitamin B12 or folate. If your body doesn’t have enough of these nutrients, your bone marrow will have a hard time making healthy red blood cells. Treatment of megaloblastic anemia may include taking vitamin B12 and folate supplements and increasing your dietary intake of these vitamins. Some people have an autoimmune condition called “pernicious anemia” that prevents their bodies from absorbing vitamin B12. If left untreated, pernicious anemia can cause irreversible damage to the nervous and digestive systems. Treatment of pernicious anemia usually involves vitamin B12 injections that are given daily or weekly until B12 levels are within a healthy range.
Nonmegaloblastic anemia
With nonmegaloblastic anemia, certain medical conditions may affect how easily your body is able to absorb the nutrients needed for healthy red blood cell production. The most common conditions that can cause nonmegaloblastic anemia include: •hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid •alcohol use disorder •liver disease •hereditary spherocytosis, a condition that causes your red blood cells to be shaped like spheres instead of flattened discs •myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of conditions that affects your body’s ability to make healthy blood cells If nonmegaloblastic anemia is caused by an underlying chronic condition, treatment will focus on the underlying disease that’s causing the anemia.
Some types of anemia, such as those that are inherited, can’t be prevented. However, you can take steps to help reduce the risk of some other types of anemias, including:
•eating a healthy diet containing iron-rich foods such as shellfish, poultry, and beef
•eating vegetables to help your body absorb iron
•getting enough folate and B12 in your diet or taking supplements
Anemia is a health condition that occurs when you don’t have enough red blood cells, and it causes symptoms such as lightheadedness, fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
There are different types of anemia. They share similar symptoms but have different causes as well as different treatments and severity levels. Some anemias, such as megaloblastic anemia, can be treated with dietary changes. Other anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, are chronic and inherited.
Apr 19, 2016 · 1. You're exhausted and weak. The first and most common symptom of iron-deficiency anemia is fatigue. "Without enough oxygen being delivered to your body, you can't break down nutrients and make ...
Sep 4, 2024 · Swelling and soreness of your tongue or mouth. Sometimes, changes inside or outside of your mouth can indicate iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms include: a swollen, inflamed, pale, or smooth mucus ...
- Some people experience no symptoms with iron deficiency anemia. In time, however, you may notice that the insides of your eyes are paler than usual...
- Eating an iron-rich diet can help boost iron levels. If your levels are very low, a doctor may recommend iron supplements. In some cases, you may n...
- Nutritional choices, underlying conditions, bleeding, and the use of certain medications are common causes of low iron levels.
Jul 3, 2024 · Sore or swollen tongue. Brittle nails. Hair loss. Loss of color in your skin or yellow skin. You could also crave non-food items such as ice, starch, clay, or dirt. Getting Diagnosed. Doctors have ...
Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails. Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract ...
People also ask
Is pale skin a sign of anemia?
How do you know if you have anemia?
How do you know if you have iron deficiency anemia?
Sep 9, 2024 · Here are six signs to watch for: 1. Pale or yellow skin. You look in the mirror and feel like you’re a bit paler than usual. Iron deficiency may cause you to appear pale, especially on your face ...
