Anemia is the most common blood disorder in the United States with 3.4 million sufferers. People under 45 account for 2.1 million, and anemia occurs more frequently in women than men. "Anemia" is a general term that is used to describe a low blood cell count. Blood is made up of three different parts -- red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells are the part of blood that carries oxygen to all the parts of the body.
People with digestive disorders are at risk for anemia for several reasons. Poor absorption can occur because of inflammation or diarrhea. People with IBD, which is an auto-immune disorder, are at a greater risk because some types of anemia can be caused by problems in the immune system.
Symptoms of anemia include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Irritability
- Numbness or coldness in hands or feet
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat with mild exertion
- Weakness
There are several different kinds of anemia including aplastic, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, chronic disease, and hemolytic anemias.
- Aplastic Anemia: When bone marrow stops producing new blood cells, it is known as aplastic anemia. Both red and white cells are affected, which puts a person with this disorder at risk for infection and uncontrolled bleeding. Aplastic anemia is fairly rare, and can be caused by radiation and chemotherapy, exposure to toxins, use of drugs, autoimmune disorders (such as lupus), viral infection (such as hepatitis), pregnancy (extremely rare), and bone marrow diseases (such as leukemia). Treatments include from blood transfusions, medication, and even bone marrow transplants. Due to new advances in treatment, there is now a good prognosis for people with this disorder.
- Iron Deficiency Anemia: Iron deficiency anemia is more common and can be caused by a lack of iron rich foods, growth spurts, pregnancy, and blood loss. This condition can be treated by increasing the amount of iron rich foods eaten or with iron supplements.
- Vitamin Deficiency Anemias: Poor absorption of folic acid and vitamin B12 from intestinal disorders such as IBD can cause this type of anemia. Along with iron, folic acid and B12 are also necessary to produce red blood cells. Treatments can include B12 shots and folic acid supplements.
- Anemia of Chronic Disease: Some diseases can interfere with the production of red blood cells including AIDS, cancer, liver disease, chronic inflammatory diseases, kidney failure, and rheumatoid arthritis. The mode of treatment includes treating the underlying condition.
- Hemolytic Anemias: In this type of anemia, red blood cells are being destroyed faster than they can be produced. The causes are autoimmune disorders or medications used to treat infections. This can result in an enlarged spleen when large amount of abnormal red blood cells are collected in it. Treatment includes medication to suppress the immune system which is destroying the red blood cells.
Anemia is easily diagnosed through a simple blood test. Often anemia comes on very slowly and is not noticeable as it develops over a long period of time. If you are at risk for anemia, and are experiencing the symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor about getting tested.
