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- What is anaemia?
- Symptoms of anaemia
- Causes of anemia
- Prevention of anaemia
- Risk factors for anaemia
- Complications of anaemia
- When to see a doctor about anaemia
- Diagnosis of anaemia
- Conventional treatment of anaemia
- Alternative/complementary treatment of anaemia
- Living with anaemia
- Caring for someone with anaemia
Anaemia (also written anemia) is a condition in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) is lowered or if there is a reduction in the level of haemoglobin in the blood.
If a person has anaemia, oxygen transportation around the body is impaired and the person becomes under-oxygenated are tires easily.
There are a few different types of anaemia:
- Aplastic anaemia - this type of anaemia is characterised by a failure of the bone marrow to produce red and white blood cells and platelets
- Haemolytic anaemia - this type of anaemia is characterised by the body destroying red blood cells faster than new ones can be produced, which can result from a range of autoimmune disorders and even from some medications
- Iron deficiency anaemia - this type of anaemia is characterised by a lack of iron, so that there is also a lack of haemoglobin - this is the most common type of anaemia
- Megaloblastic anaemia - this type of anaemia is caused by a deficiency of folic acid in the diet not enough leafy green vegetables), which makes the red blood cells become abnormally big and unable to perform their functions properly
- Pernicious anaemia - this type of anaemia is characterised by a lack of Vitamin B12 inhibiting the correct formation of red blood cells
- Sick cell anaemia - this is type of anaemia is characterised by the haemoglobin being in the abnormal shape of a sickle, instead of being healthy and round in shape
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Some facts about anaemia
- Severe anaemia, such as that resulting from a life-threatening injury, needs to be immediately treated by a blood transfusion
- Some types of anaemia caused by congenital defects in the body (sickle cell and aplastic anaemia) require monitoring all through life to prevent serious ill health
- Anaemia literally means "without blood"
- While iron deficiency is the most common reason for the occurrence of anaemia, it is not the only type of anaemia
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2: symptoms of anaemia > Last reviewed: 15 December 2007 || Last updated: 28 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
