Anemia
Anemia is a hematologic disorder where the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia occurs when one experiences rapid bleeding that leads to sudden blood loss. Chronically, anemia occurs when one’s body does not produce enough hemoglobin to maintain the required level of red blood cells. Iron deficiency in the body is the most common cause of anemia.
Severe anemia causes symptoms such as pale appearance of the skin, shortness of breath and lack of energy. The tests to diagnose anemia are not complex. The amount of red blood cells in the blood are studied using a microscope lenses to asses if they are the likely to cause that condition, they have a characteristic appearance and it is easy to identify them. When the other components of the blood are assessed they will help come to a conclusion if the condition is dues to other serious causes such as bone marrow disease (Mayo clinic, n.d).
Treatment is different and may vary with age. In the elderly, there is no specific therapy for chronic anemia apart from to treat or manage the underlying disorder. Iron therapy does not benefit these people. Erythropoietin is helpful to some patients; the dosage is up to 50 to 100per kg three times a week but can be increased to 150U per kg per dose if the patient is not responding to the usual dose (Goodnough, & Schrier, n.d). However, erythropoietin has negative effects such as; it caused high blood pressure, fever, and swelling (Cleveland clinic, n.d). In children treatment depends on the specific cause of the child’s anemia. Treatment may include vitamin and mineral treatment, changing the diet of the child, blood transfusion to replace lost blood and stem cell transplant for cildren with sickle cell anemia (Dana-Faber & Boston Children, n.d). Stem cell transplant has severe effects on the child, effects such as; nausea, diarrhea, and mouth sores. It puts the child at a higher risk of getting infections since the child’s immune is suppressed by the therapy (Dana-Faber, 2018).
Conclusion
Anemia is a hematologic disorder that affects all genders and age. It is caused by low levels of red blood cells contained in the hemoglobin that are responsible for transporting oxygen. Symptoms of anemia include paleness of the skin and shortness of breath. In elderly patient’s anemia may be treated using erythropoietin which has negative effects such as causing high blood pressure. Treatment of anemia in children vary from the type of anemia. When treating sickle cell anemia using stem transplant the child is likely to experience negative effects such as diarrhea.
References
Cleveland clinic (n.d) Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agents. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drug/14573-erythropoietin-stimulating-agents
Dana-Faber & Boston Children (n.d). Anemia. Retrieved from; https://www.danafarberbostonchildrens.org/condition/blood-disorders/anemia.aspx
Dana-Faber (2018). Stem Cell Transplant for Pediatric Patients: What to know. Retrieved from; https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2018/01/stem-cell-transplants-pediatric-patients- know/
Goodnough, T. S., & Schrier, L. S., (n.d) Evaluation and Management of Anemia in the Elderly. Retrieved from; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article/PMC4289144/#!p=6.19835
Mayo clinic (n.d). Anemia. Retrieved from; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360
