Anemia is a condition where you cannot provide enough red blood cells to supply oxygen to your body. It is known to be temporary and also long-term depending on your immunity. Although the problem is considered mild, in some cases it is also fatal and life-threatening. There are many ways to contract this condition.
One of the many reasons why the condition gets passed is through genetics. Other conditions that cause it include bleeding. If the bleeding is severe then there is a high risk of anemia as the blood flow will be redirected outside the body. The lack of oxygen provided to the heart will likely pave the way for the development of this condition.
Cancer is also known to cause anemia namely lymphatic systems, bone marrow, and blood. Some of the red blood cells get destroyed when the patient suffers from the disease. This damages the supply of red blood cells especially when they are rich in oxygen. Other diseases like malaria can also cause pernicious anemia or aplastic anemia.
If the blood cells cannot supply enough oxygen to your heart, your health will most likely deteriorate. Added with another disease and the results can be fatal. This can put your life in danger even before the doctor can correctly diagnose the condition. This problem is not immediately detectable until the effects begin to be felt.
Doctors everywhere have to first confirm your family or medical history. Then they will have to proceed with some physical exams to see if you have the symptoms of this condition. The most standard procedure doctors use for detection is blood tests. They will draw your blood and conduct some tests that will confirm your condition. The blood count will be enough to determine the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in your blood. This can be done by researching the size and shape of your blood cells on whether they are consistent or not.
Once you are diagnosed with anemia, the doctor will have to conduct further tests to see the cause of the condition. They might proceed with a bone marrow test or locate some internal bleeding. Scanning for tumors is also quite common.
The most dangerous type of anemia that can kill you will require advanced treatment, particularly chemotherapy. Immunosuppressants may be the medication provided to you if you have aplastic anemia. In the rarest cases, a bone marrow transplant might also be an option. You will have to wait for a certain time until your doctor can find the appropriate donor who can replace your current bone marrow.
Blood transfusion is also a good alternative where you can be supplied with new red blood cells that will replace the ones that are no longer functional. These procedures are necessary as 1.7 death among 100,000 people occur annually due to the growth of this condition. Without proper detection and diagnosis, your condition will continue to evolve until it reaches an advanced stage. Always voice your concerns with the doctor who will handle your health issues with care.
