Anemia - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment
Last Updated On Thursday, November 14, 2024
Anemia in Urdu
آپ کے جسم میں خون کے سرخ خلیے اعضاء تک آکسیجن لے جاتے ہیں۔ خون کی کمی ایک ایسی حالت ہے جس میں آپ کے جسم میں خون کے سرخ خلیات کی کمی ہوتی ہے، جس کی وجہ سے آپ کے اعضاء کو آکسیجن کی فراہمی میں خلل پڑتا ہے۔ اس لیے خون کی کمی آپ کو تھکاوٹ اور کمزوری محسوس کرتی ہے۔ یہ طویل مدتی یا دائمی ہو سکتا ہے اور ہلکے سے شدید تک ہو سکتا ہے۔ خون کی کمی مختلف وجوہات کی وجہ سے ہوسکتی ہے، اس لیے اس کی کئی اقسام ہیں، ہر ایک وجہ پر منحصر ہے۔ اگر آپ کو چلنے پھرنے یا کھانے کے بعد سانس لینے میں تکلیف محسوس ہوتی ہے تو یہ خون کی کمی کی علامت ہوسکتی ہے۔ آپ کو خون کی کمی کی علامات کو طول نہیں دینا چاہیے کیونکہ یہ کسی بنیادی حالت کا اشارہ ہو سکتے ہیں۔ صحت مند کھانے سے، آپ خون کی کمی کی کچھ اقسام کو روک سکتے ہیں۔ اس کا علاج سپلیمنٹس سے لے کر میڈیکل سرجری تک مختلف ہوتا ہے۔
Anemia in English
The red blood cells in your body carry oxygen to the organs. Anemia is a condition in which your body lacks enough red blood cells, due to which oxygen supply to your organs is disrupted. Therefore anemia causes you to feel tired and weak. It can be long-term or chronic and can range from mild to severe. Anemia can occur due to various reasons, hence there are many types of it, each depending upon the cause. If you feel breathless in walking or after eating, it can be a sign of anemia. You should not prolong the symptoms of anemia because they can be an indication of some underlying condition. By eating healthy, you can prevent some types of anemia. The treatment for it varies from supplements to medical surgeries.
Types
Broadly classifying, the five types of anemia can be listed as;
Aplastic anemia- a type of anemia in which your body stops producing new red blood cells that carry oxygen to the organs.
Sickle cell anemia- caused by a group of a disorder called sickle cell disease. It is a type of anemia in which the shape of red blood cells is sickle-shaped, due to which they lack the capacity to carry oxygen.
Iron deficiency anemia- as the name indicates, iron deficiency anemia occurs due to the deficiency of iron- a substance that produces the oxygen-carrying substance called hemoglobin.
Thalassemia- is a kind of inherited disorder in which your body produces less hemoglobin than required.
Vitamin deficiency anemia- this kind of anemia occurs due to the deficiency of vitamins like vitamin C, folic acid, or vitamin B12.
Symptoms
The symptoms of anemia may vary from person to person, depending on the cause and severity. Sometimes you might not have any symptoms. However, it may show the following signs and symptoms;
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Chest pain
- Cold hands and feet
- Headaches
Initially, you may not notice any symptoms. But as it worsens over time, the symptoms may also become severe. You should not take the signs and symptoms of anemia lightly, as they can lead to a life-threatening condition. Therefore if you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should visit the healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Causes
Anemia occurs when your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. It can occur due to reasons like;
- Your body fails to produce red blood cells.
- Excessive bleeding in which your body loses more red blood cells than it produces.
- Your body destroys the red blood cells on its own.
These conditions can occur due to various reasons. The most common cause for anemia is iron deficiency. Iron enables your body to produce hemoglobin- a substance that carries oxygen. Other reasons for it can be;
Consuming a diet low in vitamin B12 or having any health condition like pernicious anemia when your body can not absorb it.
Eating a diet low in folic acid, also known as folate.
Having genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia or thalassemia.
Health conditions like hemolytic anemia that causes your body to destroy its own red blood cells.
Acute blood loss due to accidents and injuries
Chronic blood loss due to hemorrhoids, gastritis, or ulcers.
Chronic conditions that cause hormonal imbalance, due to which your body fails to produce enough red blood cells. It can happen due to conditions like;
- Advanced kidney diseases
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Lupus
Treatment
The treatment of anemia depends on the cause. If it occurs due to iron or folate deficiency, it can be corrected with supplements. But if it occurs due to other genetic disorders or chronic bleeding, the healthcare providers may prescribe symptomatic treatment or any other medical procedure, depending upon the cause.
Conclusion
Anemia is a condition in which your body fails to produce enough blood cells that carry oxygen in your blood to your organs. It can occur due to various reasons. But the most common cause for anemia is iron-deficiency anemia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anemia meaning in Urdu is خون کی کمی (Khoon Ki Kami). It is a deficiency of red blood cells or lack of hemoglobin in the blood. It results in pallor and weariness.
The main cause of anemia is a poor diet, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Other causes can include chronic diseases, certain medications, or inherited conditions.
The five most common symptoms of anemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, and pale or yellow skin. Other symptoms can include headaches, a pounding or “whooshing” sound in the ears, and chest pain.
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body, so when a person has anemia, the lack of healthy red blood cells leads to a decrease in oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue. This is because when the body is not getting enough oxygen, it can be difficult for it to function properly. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, headaches, cold hands and feet, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and more.