What is anemia?
Anemia is a condition in which there is a decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood. According to the World Health Organization, anemia occurs when hemoglobin is less than 12mg/dL in women or less than 13mg/dL in men.
Which people are more likely to develop anemia?
Anyone can develop anemia, but it is more common in the following groups:
- In women of childbearing (menstruating) age.
- Pregnant women
- People with malabsorption problems or chronic diarrhea.
- Elderly people.
Can anemia be prevented?
The prevention of anemia depends on the cause, as explained below, but in general it is recommended to eat a balanced and varied diet.
Older people are more prone to anemia.
Once anemia occurs, is it for life?
It depends on the cause, if it is a punctual nutritional deficit (iron or vitamins) due to an increased requirement (for example, in pregnancy) or due to bleeding, once this deficit or the loss or bleeding is treated, the anemia is resolved.
However, if it is a chronic problem: malabsorption (such as celiac disease), blood loss (menstrual, digestive bleeding), hereditary disorders (thalassemia), etc., it is likely that the patient will require intermittent or chronic treatment.
What treatments are currently available?
Treatment varies according to the cause. If there is a nutritional deficit (iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12), the treatment is to resolve the deficit. It is always important to investigate the underlying cause of the deficit (digestive or menstrual bleeding, malabsorption).
There are other types of anemias, such as hereditary anemias (thalassemia, sickle cell anemia), chronic disorder anemia, among others. These anemias should be monitored and treated in a specific and individualized way, from observation and clinical monitoring to transfusion.
For more information about anemia, do not hesitate to contact a Hematology specialist.