Anemia of Chronic Disease is a type of anemia that is part of a long disease like chronic infection or cancer. Like other anemia, signs and symptoms include easy fatigability, dizziness, and pallor.
Causes
Anemia of chronic disease may occur due to the following:
1.There is shortened RBC survival due to still unknown mechanisms(normally, RBC lives for 120 days).
2.In chronic diseases there is decreased bone marrow responsiveness to erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
3. Iron metabolism is impaired.
Diagnosis
To diagnose anemia of chronic disease, a complete blood count is performed. The hemoglobin is and RBC count is decreased. Ferritin, the storage form of iron in the body is also measured and is also decreased. In special laboratories, erythropoietin levels is measured and is usually decreased.
Treatment
Management includes treating the underlying cause. Commercially prepared Erythropoeitin (EPO) maybe given to the patient. EPO dose may need to be 150 to 300 units/kg sc 3 times/wk. A good response is likely if after 2 weeks of therapy hemoglobin has increased (> 0.5 g/dL) and serum ferritin is < 400 ng/mL.
Iron supplements in the form of ferrous sulfate or fumarate maybe given to patients once a day.
References:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra041809 visited last Dec.15,2010
http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec11/ch130/ch130d.html visited last Dec 15,2010
Anemia – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Anemia
Anemia is a disorder of the blood in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) is lower than normal. Your RBCs are the main transporters of oxygen and nutrients to your different organs. If you have anemia, not enough oxygen is being transported to your different cells. As a result, you may get easily tired and feel other symptoms.
Some people have anemia even if they have normal number of red blood cells. The problem lies in their RBCs not having enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin plays a big role in transporting oxygen to your cells. It is an iron-rich protein that gives your blood its red color.
Causes
There are three main causes of anemia. They are:
Other factors that contribute to the development of anemia include not getting enough iron, folate, or vitamin B12; other diseases or conditions; lack of a certain hormone; and pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms
If you have mild or moderate anemia, you may not feel something is wrong or you may have mild symptoms.
The most common symptom of anemia is getting easily tired or fatigued. Other signs and symptoms may include paleness, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath and cold hands or feet. You may also experience chest pains because your heart has to pump harder to meet your body’s need for oxygen.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If your doctor suspects that you have anemia, he or she will order a complete blood count (CBC). When anemia is confirmed, your doctor may also recommend other tests to determine the cause of your condition.
Treatment of anemia depends on the type and cause of your condition. If your anemia is caused by lack of iron in your body, your doctor may recommend that you include more iron-containing foods in your diet such as red meats, liver, peas, tofu and dark green leafy vegetables.
Your doctor may also recommend taking dietary supplements. However, taking too much of a certain supplement for your anemia may lead to complications. You should follow your doctor’s prescription.
When another condition or health problem is causing your anemia, your doctor will treat the underlying condition, as well.
For severe cases of anemia, other treatment procedures may be recommended by your healthcare provider. Some of the treatment procedures available include blood transfusion, blood and marrow stem cell transplantation, and surgery. Your doctor will be able to explain to you the different treatment options for your anemia.
Related Article:
References:
Anemia. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine (NLM). Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html. Accessed on December 1, 2010
Anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_whatis.html. Accessed on December 1, 2010
Some people have anemia even if they have normal number of red blood cells. The problem lies in their RBCs not having enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin plays a big role in transporting oxygen to your cells. It is an iron-rich protein that gives your blood its red color.
Causes
There are three main causes of anemia. They are:
- Blood loss from wounds, heavy menstrual periods or bleeding in your digestive and urinary tract;
- Lack of red blood cell production by your body; and
- Fast destruction of red blood cells, more than what is being produced.
Other factors that contribute to the development of anemia include not getting enough iron, folate, or vitamin B12; other diseases or conditions; lack of a certain hormone; and pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms
If you have mild or moderate anemia, you may not feel something is wrong or you may have mild symptoms.
The most common symptom of anemia is getting easily tired or fatigued. Other signs and symptoms may include paleness, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath and cold hands or feet. You may also experience chest pains because your heart has to pump harder to meet your body’s need for oxygen.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If your doctor suspects that you have anemia, he or she will order a complete blood count (CBC). When anemia is confirmed, your doctor may also recommend other tests to determine the cause of your condition.
Treatment of anemia depends on the type and cause of your condition. If your anemia is caused by lack of iron in your body, your doctor may recommend that you include more iron-containing foods in your diet such as red meats, liver, peas, tofu and dark green leafy vegetables.
Your doctor may also recommend taking dietary supplements. However, taking too much of a certain supplement for your anemia may lead to complications. You should follow your doctor’s prescription.
When another condition or health problem is causing your anemia, your doctor will treat the underlying condition, as well.
For severe cases of anemia, other treatment procedures may be recommended by your healthcare provider. Some of the treatment procedures available include blood transfusion, blood and marrow stem cell transplantation, and surgery. Your doctor will be able to explain to you the different treatment options for your anemia.
Related Article:
References:
Anemia. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine (NLM). Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html. Accessed on December 1, 2010
Anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_whatis.html. Accessed on December 1, 2010
Sickle Cell Anemia - What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder of the blood that causes your blood NOT to transport enough oxygen to your different body organs as they should. This condition is one of several types of anemia.
If you have anemia, it may mean that you have lower than normal number of red blood cells (RBCs). Your RBCs are the ones that carry oxygen to your different cells. Sometimes, anemia can be caused by your red blood cells not having enough hemoglobin -- the oxygen-carrying component of RBCs.
Normally, your RBCs are disc-shaped with a depression on each side and usually live for about 120 days. When viewed under the microscope, your RBCs look like doughnuts without its holes in the center. In sickle cell anemia, however, the red blood cells are shaped like a sickle (crescent-shaped). They don't survive long as normal RBCs do. These abnormally shaped RBCs usually last for about 10-20 days.
Your bone marrow -- the part of your bone that produces your blood cells including your red blood cells -- can't produce enough RBCs at a time to replace those dead sickle-like RBCs. As a result anemia can occur.
If you have anemia, you can get weak, feel cold or get dizzy. Sometimes, you may feel irritable. The only way to confirm that you have anemia is through blood testing.
To test if your anemia is caused by sickle-celled RBCs, your may order a sickle cell test, hemoglobin electrophoresis and complete blood count (CBC).
Related Article:
References:
Sickle Cell Anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Sca/SCA_WhatIs.html. Accessed on November 23, 2010
Anemia. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html. Accessed on November 23, 2010
If you have anemia, it may mean that you have lower than normal number of red blood cells (RBCs). Your RBCs are the ones that carry oxygen to your different cells. Sometimes, anemia can be caused by your red blood cells not having enough hemoglobin -- the oxygen-carrying component of RBCs.
Normally, your RBCs are disc-shaped with a depression on each side and usually live for about 120 days. When viewed under the microscope, your RBCs look like doughnuts without its holes in the center. In sickle cell anemia, however, the red blood cells are shaped like a sickle (crescent-shaped). They don't survive long as normal RBCs do. These abnormally shaped RBCs usually last for about 10-20 days.
Your bone marrow -- the part of your bone that produces your blood cells including your red blood cells -- can't produce enough RBCs at a time to replace those dead sickle-like RBCs. As a result anemia can occur.
If you have anemia, you can get weak, feel cold or get dizzy. Sometimes, you may feel irritable. The only way to confirm that you have anemia is through blood testing.
To test if your anemia is caused by sickle-celled RBCs, your may order a sickle cell test, hemoglobin electrophoresis and complete blood count (CBC).
Related Article:
References:
Sickle Cell Anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Sca/SCA_WhatIs.html. Accessed on November 23, 2010
Anemia. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html. Accessed on November 23, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)