Anemia is a general term for a category of blood conditions that affect the red blood cells or the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin they contain.

Anemia caused by blood loss can occur over time and is usually very mild to start. As the blood loss continues or reoccurs and the anemia isn't treated, the anemia becomes more severe and the symptoms may become more apparent and disruptive. Ulcers, certain types of cancer and the inflammation of stomach known as gastritis can cause anemia and may go undetected for a long time before being diagnosed. The anti-inflammatory medications known as NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can also lead to anemia whether by overuse or sensitivity to such products.

The root cause of anemia is generally deficiency of iron in the diet. However, there are many other ways in which loss of blood can take place from the body. The following are some of them:-

People with hemorrhoids (i.e. piles) often lose great amounts of blood if there are open sores. If the loss is beyond acceptable limit, then the person would suffer from anemia.

Internal hemorrhages can occur in the body leading to loss of blood, and thus causing anemia.

Hemolysis is a condition in which a breakdown of the red blood corpuscles takes place. People suffering from hemolysis will be anemic. Such anemia is called as aplastic anemia.

Symptoms of Anemia

Anemia goes undetected in many people, and symptoms can be vague. Most commonly, people with anemia report a feeling of weakness or fatigue, general malaise and sometimes a poor concentration. People with more severe anemia often report dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion. Very severe anemia prompts the body to compensate by increasing cardiac output , leading to palpitations and sweatiness, and to heart failure . Other useful signs are cheilosis and koilonychia .

Home Remedies for Anemia

Apples are very good for anemia as they have high iron content. They should be eaten regularly; preferably after every meal.

Beetroot is also a very good source of iron. Apart from iron it contains various other minerals that are protective in function to the body.

Figs must be eaten regularly, at the rate of three to four per day.

Organ meats like kidney and liver must be included in the diet.

Treatment of Anemia

Treatment should be directed at the cause of the anemia. In some cases, blood transfusions and the medication erythropoietin will correct anemia. For example, treatment for sickle cell anemia is different than treatment for a diet low in iron or folic acid. Talk to your HCP about the best treatment for the cause of your anemia. Other Treatment Injectable EPO (e.g., PROCRIT®, EPOGEN®) is an alternative to blood transfusion to treat critically ill patients with anemia. Exogenous EPO is identical to the natural hormone in its role of stimulating the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

Types & causes of Anemia

1. Macrocytic anemia: Macrocytic anemia can be further divided into "megaloblastic anemia" or "non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia". The cause of megaloblastic anemia is primarily a failure of DNA synthesis with preserved RNA synthesis, which result in restricted cell division of the progenitor cells.

2. Microcytic anemia: Microcytic anemia caused due to hemoglobin synthesis failure or insufficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is the common type of anemia so it has many causes. RBCs often appear hypochromic (paler than usual) and microcytic (smaller than usual) when viewed with a microscope

3. Normocytic anemia :Normocytic anaemia causes when the overall Hb levels are decreased, but the red blood cell size (MCV) remains normal.

4. Heinz body anemia: Heinz bodies are an abnormality that forms on the cells in this condition. This form of anemia may be brought on by taking certain medications; it is also triggered in cats by eating onions or acetaminophen (Tylenol). It can be triggered in dogs by ingesting onions or zinc and in horses by ingesting dry Red Maple leaves.