What's so bad about anaemia?

Question

What's the worst case scenario if somebody has anaemia? Is it something that people can easily have, go by in life and not even realise they have it? Does it need to be treated?

Answer 1

If anaemia is left untreated and becomes severe it is fatal...I recon that's pretty bad!

Answer 2

I know from personal experience about iron deficient anaemia. If you are anaemic you can suffer from lack of energy. Think of how you might feel after a bout of flu - completely washed out and very little physical exersion leaves you exhausted. The sufferers tend to have a pale complexion, moreso than usual. If you pull down the lower eye lid the inside is pale compared to someone with a normal blood count.

There are usually 2 general causes of iron deficient anaemia, dietary and loss of blood. The former can be countered by eating iron rich foods or taking iron suppliments, the latter may need to be treated with a blood transfusion depending on the seriousness.

If you have a blood test as far as I know the 'normal' red blood cell count is 12, although anything above 10 is considered OK. Below 8 and they will think about a blood transfusion depending on the cause and how you feel. My last blood count was 7.5, but as I am so used to being anaemic I felt OK and so they just prescribed iron suppliments.

I have been told that a blood count of 6 is close to death, or maybe you just feel like it.

So - an extreme case would not be advisable, it is something that you can easily suffer from. I didn't realise that my blood count was so dangerously low, but my daughter really knew when hers dropped to 8.5 as she could hardly move. Oh, it's not hereditary, (although Celiacs disease which can cause anaemia can be). Lastly, yes it does need to be treated, if you want a normal life.

Answer 3

Anaemia can be very bad for your health and dangerous.
I was recently rushed to hospital with a very low iron count of 6 i didn't look Anaemic but was very very weak.
I eat a lot of food with iron in it and take iron supplements but my body rejects all forms of iron so i had to have a blood transfusion. The doctor said told me that if your blood count below 9 you are Anaemic and if the drops below 7 you can have a heart attack.

Answer 4

Anemia is more common in women, What anemia is is a lack of iron in the blood, And yes you can go for years and not realize you have a problem, If you were to be anemic you would fill tired and sluggish, If it went on for several months you would start to bruise easily, and there are other problem,s that can occur but it is an easy fix you go to your local super market or drug store and get iron tables and take one a day, Results with this is it can make your stools dark. hope this helps

Answer 5

There are different types of anemia. I personally have iron deffiecency anemia, which many women get due to heavy periods (losing a lot of blood) and not eating enough dark green vegetables. There's also sickle cell anemia which is much more severe. If you have my kind of anemia, its no biggie. Most people do not know they are iron defficient until blood work is done. If you are, you tend to be short of breath, lethargic, pale, etc. If you're worried, go get bloodwork done. Like I said, there are different kinds of anemia, some are much more serious than others. But, its better to know and be safe! And all types should be treated. My doctor prescribed me an iron pill i take twice daily. Sickle cell anemia requires much more attention and is a very serious issue

Answer 6

Anemia or anaemia refers to a deficiency of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin. This results in a reduced ability of blood to transfer oxygen to the tissues, causing hypoxia; since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have a wide range of clinical consequences.

Anemia goes undetected in many people, and symptoms can be vague.

Anemia diminishes the capability of individuals who are affected to perform physical activities. This is a result of one's muscles being forced to depend on anaerobic metabolism. The lack of iron associated with anemia can cause many complications, including hypoxemia, brittle or rigid fingernails, cold intolerance, impaired immune function, and possible behavioral disturbances in children.

There are many different treatments for anemia and the treatment depends on the cause. In severe cases of anemia, a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Answer 7

Being Anemic means that you do not have enough iron. Your body needs iron to keep your energy level up and to help it function at it's best. This is not something you would want to ignore. Iron defiency will cause you to feel tired all the time, and to feel cold a lot. You won't be able to function as well, and may even have trouble staying focused.

Answer 8

Anaemia left untreated can cause all sorts of problems.

Answer 9

Leukemia is worse because of the fact it rather is maximum cancers of the white blood cells which impacts the bone morrow. there are countless varieties of Leukemia continual- which slowly gets worse and could no longer reason warning signs for years and acute and it gets worse very rapid and make you sense ill. Anemia- ailment of the crimson blood cells which provides oxygen to the physique. There additionally are categories of anemia one variety is severe anemia that could reason low oxygen stages in the needed organs such because of the fact the middle and deliver approximately a coronary heart attack. the two are curable.

Answer 10

it's something wrong with the body and needs to be treated
lack of red blood cells mean less oxygen which could lead to cells dying

http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/anaemia.htm