Types of Anemia

Types of Anemia - what is anemia ? 

Iron-Deficiency Anemia - what is anemia -

You probably know iron as a metal used in everyday products, such as wrought-iron fences and furniture. In prehistoric times, humans used iron to make tools. Today, you might use cast-iron cooking pots and pans. Iron also is part of your body chemistry, and it plays an essential role in keeping you healthy. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells (RBCs) that carries oxygen. Your body has a tightly controlled system for absorbing, using, and recycling iron. In this system, iron first goes to the bone marrow, where it combines with hemoglobin and is used to make RBCs. Any extra iron that isn’t immediately needed for RBCs is stored in body tissues. At the end of their lifespans, RBCs are destroyed and the hemoglobin is broken down. The iron is returned to the bone marrow, where it’s used to make new RBCs. Most of the iron in your body is constantly recycled and reused in this way. However, you lose a little iron every day through normal body processes. You need a regular source of iron to ensure that your body has enough to make the RBCs it needs. The main way you get iron is from food, though only a relatively small amount of the iron in food is actually absorbed by your body.

Causes of Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia may develop because the body’s demand for iron is greater than its supply, because of low iron intake or poor iron absorption, or as a result of blood loss. The body’s demand for iron may go beyond its supply as a result of: 

•  Rapid growth in infancy, childhood, or adolescence

•  The body trying to replace blood that is lost

•  Pregnancy

•  Erythropoietin therapy for kidney disease 

Low iron intake or poor absorption of iron may occur as a result of: 

• An inadequate diet

• An inability to absorb iron from your diet 

• Acute or chronic inflammation (such as inflammatory bowel disease) 

Blood loss that can lead to irondeficiency anemia may occur as a result of:

•  Chronic bleeding (for example, from a bleeding ulcer or other internal bleeding) 

• Heavy blood loss from injury or surgery 

• Heavy menstrual periods Frequent blood donation or phlebotomy (a medical procedure similar to blood donation) over a short time.

• more about anemia

1. What is anemia ? 
2. symptoms of anemia
3. aplastic anemia treatment
4. What causes anemia?
5. Types of Anemia and causes
6. Sickle Cell Anemia

the side effects of treatment

the side effects of treatment 

Side effects of Aranesp, Epogen, and Procrit are usually mild. Many side effects may be caused
by other medical conditions, such as cancer or kidney disease. While taking these medications,
you may have: 

1. What are the side effects of treatment?

•  Flu-like symptoms (eg, chills, fever, muscle aches) 
•  Nausea 
•  Diarrhea 
•  Swelling in your body 

1. Serious side effects may include: 

•  High blood pressure 

•  Seizures 

•  Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (eg, rash, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling around your mouth or eyes, fast heart rate) .

If you notice a rise in your blood pressure, talk to your doctor. He or she may give you a
prescription for blood pressure medication. If you have any seizures while taking these
medications, you should get medical help right away.  If you have symptoms of a serious allergic
reaction, stop using the medication and get medical help right away.  

1. What can I do to feel better if I have side effects? 

If you experience any side effects, please talk to your doctor or Prescription Solutions by
OptumRx pharmacist to discuss these symptoms further. If your symptoms are severe, contact
your doctor immediately. Some side effects may be signs of a more serious condition.   

1. more about anemia

   1. What is anemia ? 
   2. symptoms of anemia
   3. aplastic anemia treatment
   4. What causes anemia?
   5. Types of Anemia and causes
   6. Sickle Cell Anemia

How is anemia treated ?

How is anemia treated? what is anemia ?

Treatment of anemia depends on the type of anemia that you have. Treatment for most anemias 

can include taking iron and vitamins or getting blood transfusions.  Other medications can help your body make red blood cells. They work just like the erythropoietin that your kidneys normally make. These medications are called Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa), Epogen (epoetin alfa), and Procrit (epoetin alfa). They are given as a shot under the skin or through a vein. They are helpful when your anemia is caused by kidney disease, or chemotherapy. They are also helpful when your anemia is caused by certain medications used to treat HIV infection called Combivir (lamivudine and zidovudine) or Retrovir (zidovudine). These anemia medications may also lessen your need for blood transfusions during surgery. You may not notice any changes in the way you feel for several weeks because it takes time to make new red blood cells. You may need to take iron to help these medications work. These medications can be used for other health conditions, too. Please ask your doctor for more information.  

• more about anemia

1. What is anemia ? 
2. symptoms of anemia
3. aplastic anemia treatment
4. What causes anemia?
5. Types of Anemia and causes
6. Sickle Cell Anemia

What causes anemia?

What is anemia?

What causes anemia?

The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make
hemoglobin. Anemia also occurs when your body doesn't have enough folic acid or vitamin B12
to make red blood cells. If you have an injury or surgery, you may lose enough blood to cause
anemia. Some long-term diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease, or
certain medications can affect your body’s ability to make red blood cells.

Kidney disease can also cause anemia. Healthy kidneys make erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is a
hormone that tells the bone marrow to make red blood cells.

 If you have kidney disease, you do not make enough of this hormone to make red blood cells Certain types of cancer cause anemia by slowing down your body’s production of erythropoietin. 

Sometimes the cancer won’t let your body use its own iron to make hemoglobin. Cancer 

treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can also cause anemia by damaging the bone 

marrow. This damage may prevent your body from making red blood cells.  

• more about anemia

1. What is anemia ? 
2. symptoms of anemia
3. aplastic anemia treatment
4. What causes anemia?
5. Types of Anemia and causes
6. Sickle Cell Anemia

What is anemia?

What is anemia?

1. What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition that develops when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or
hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the different parts of your body. Hemoglobin is a protein found in
red blood cells. It carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough red blood cells, you often
feel tired or weak because your body is not getting enough oxygen. Anemia can be a temporary
or long-term condition. What is anemia ?

1. What are some symptoms of anemia?

The symptoms of anemia differ from person to person.  In general, they may include: 

•  Fatigue 

•  Pale skin 

•  Fast heartbeat 

•  Shortness of breath 

•  Chest pain 

•  Dizziness 

•  Cold hands and feet 

•  Headaches  

These symptoms may be mild or not noticeable at first. But they tend to get worse as your
anemia worsens.

• more about anemia

1. What is anemia ? 
2. symptoms of anemia
3. aplastic anemia treatment
4. What causes anemia?
5. Types of Anemia and causes
6. Sickle Cell Anemia

What is Anemia ?