Anaemia symptoms - Symptoms & Causes

What is Anaemia?

Anemia means deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood, which can be caused by either too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in the cells. In anaemia, the body cannot create enough healthy erythrocytes (red blood cells) to adequately oxygenate the tissues. Symptoms of low haemoglobin, or are anaemia include fatigue and a feeling of unconsciousness. Hence, experiencing cold and exhibiting signs of weakness are common.

Although anaemia can take many different forms, iron deficiency in anaemia is the most common. By increasing iron intake, one can reduce the symptoms of iron anaemia. While some forms of anaemia are mild and transient, others can be lifelong. Some basic facts about anaemia are:

• Anaemia is diagnosed using several types of blood tests to determine the exact diagnosis.

• The treatment may involve changing supplements, medication or even blood transfusions in severe cases.

• Some of the basic symptoms of anaemia are fatigue, weakness, pale skin, breathlessness and dizziness.

• Some types of anaemia may include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and folate deficiency, and it can even be related to some kind of chronic disease.

Types of Anaemia

Anaemia can take many different forms. A few prevalent forms of anaemia include:

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

A common type of anaemia is caused by a lack of iron, and it leads to a reduction in the production of haemoglobin.

Hemolytic Anemia

Different abnormalities of the red blood cells, many of which are hereditarily acquired, make the cells fragile and rupture easily as they go through the capillaries. Even though the number of red blood cells formed may be normal, or even much greater than normal in some hemolytic diseases, the life span of the fragile red cell is so short that the cells are destroyed faster than they can be formed, and serious anemia results.

Aplastic Anemia

Bone marrow aplasia means lack of functioning bone marrow. For instance, a person exposed to gamma ray radiation can cause complete destruction of bone marrow. This causes failure to produce a sufficient amount of blood cells, which include erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, followed in a few weeks by lethal anemia. Likewise, excessive x-ray treatment, certain industrial chemicals, and even drugs to which the person might be sensitive can cause the same effect.

Vitamin B12 Anemia

Deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, and intrinsic factor from the stomach mucosa can lead to slow reproduction of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. Because in these states, the erythroblasts cannot proliferate rapidly enough to form normal numbers of red blood cells, the red cells that are formed are mostly oversized, have bizarre shapes, and have fragile membranes. These cells rupture easily, leaving the person in dire need of an adequate number of red cells.

Sickle-cell Anaemia

The cells have an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S, containing faulty beta chains in the hemoglobin molecule. In sickle cell anaemia, one inherits the genetic mutation that causes an abnormal C-shaped or sickle-shaped red blood cell. It is caused by mutation in the HBB gene that codes for the beta-globin subunit of haemoglobin

Symptoms of Anaemia

The most common symptom of anaemia is fatigue. Symptoms vary from person to person. Mild anaemia can cause some people to have few or no symptoms. Other common symptoms include:

• Pallid complexion

• A fast or irregular heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Headache

• Lightheadedness

Causes of Anaemia

To survive, the body needs RBCs. They need haemoglobin, a protein that binds to iron atoms. From the lungs, these molecules transport oxygen to the rest of the body. Low RBC counts and anaemia can be brought on by a variety of medical disorders. Some common grounds are discussed below:

Risk Factors of Anaemia

There are several factors that lead to the onset of anaemia. It is a condition in which there is less amount of blood in the body. According to the following factors, you are more likely to have anaemia:

Diagnosis of Anaemia

Anaemia can be diagnosed in several ways, but the most popular option is a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). This examination evaluates several elements, including:

• Hematocrit levels are calculated by contrasting the volume of RBCs with the total amount of blood.

• Levels of haemoglobin.

• RBC count.

Treatment of Anaemia

The type of anaemia a person has determines the necessary treatment. Treatment is necessary to reverse the symptoms of the disease. The following are some common anaemia treatment options:

Anaemia NEET MCQs

Q1. Sickle cell anemia is:

1. caused by substitution of valine by glutamic acid in the beta globin chain of haemoglobin

2. caused by a change in a single base pair of DNA

3. characterized by elongated sickle like RBCs with a nucleus

4. an autosomal linked dominant trait

Correct answer: 2) caused by a change in a single base pair of DNA

Explanation:

• A group of conditions known as sickle cell disease affect haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.

• Haemoglobin S, the typical haemoglobin molecule found in sickle cell patients, can cause red blood cells to swell into a sickle, or crescent, shape.

• The codon for deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) is CAC, while the codon for complementary RNA is GUG, which results in the formation of the amino acid valine, instead of glutamic acid.

• An inherited form of anaemia known as sickle cell anaemia is characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells to transport sufficient oxygen throughout the body.

• As a result, sickle cell disease and a disorder brought on by a change in a single DNA base pair.

• Since it is caused by a change in a single base pair of DNA, it is called a single-base mutation.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2) caused by a change in a single base pair of DNA

Q2. Identify the correct treatment for sickle cell anaemia.

1. Gene therapy

2. Blood transfusions

3. Bone marrow transplantation

4. All of the above

Correct answer: 4) All of the above is correct.

Explanation:

Gene therapy, blood transfusions and transplantation of bone marrow are all the best treatments for sickle cell anaemia. Gene therapy identifies and modifies the patient's genes to regain the lost functionality. Blood transfusions fill back the healthy red blood cells. Bone marrow transplantation involves replacing the patient's bone marrow with that of a healthy donor, which can produce healthy red blood cells.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) All of the above is correct.

Q3. Sickle cell anaemia is caused by:

1. complete absence of the haemoglobin gene

2. point mutation of the haemoglobin gene

3. increased affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen

4. truncation of the haemoglobin protein

Correct answer: (2) point mutation of the haemoglobin gene.

Explanation:

Sickle-cell anemia is caused by point mutation in the B-globin chain of haemoglobin. In the normal haemoglobin molecule protein has a glutamic acid (an amino acid) at the sixth position in the primary structure (simple amino acids chain), in one of its polypeptide chains which form together a quaternary structure.

The sickle cell haemoglobin protein has valine in the place of glutamic acid in the sixth position. Glutamic acid is a water-loving or hydrophilic-charged amino acid while valine is a non-polar and water-hating (hydrophobic) amino acid. In sickle cell, glutamic acid is replaced by valine in the primary structure.

Hence, the correct answer is Option (2) point mutation of the haemoglobin gene.

Also Read:

• Practice MCQs on Sickle Cell Anaemia

• Viral Diseases

• Acute And Chronic Diseases

FAQs on Anaemia

What do you mean anaemia?

Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) or the haemoglobin concentration in blood is lower than normal. Since haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen, anaemia reduces the oxygen supply to tissues. This results in weakness, fatigue, and poor overall health. It can occur due to deficiency in vitamins, blood loss, chronic diseases, or genetic disorders.

What are the types of anaemia?

Anaemia can be classified into several types:

• Iron-deficiency anaemia: caused by lack of iron, the most common type.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia: due to lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid.

• Hemolytic anaemia: where RBCs are destroyed faster than they are produced.

• Aplastic anaemia: caused by failure of bone marrow to produce enough blood cells.

• Sickle cell anaemia: genetic disorders containing faulty beta chains in the hemoglobin.

What are the symptoms of anaemia?

The symptoms of anaemia are due to lack of oxygen supply to body tissues. Common signs include fatigue, weakness, pale or yellowish skin, dizziness, headaches, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, there may be chest pain, irregular heartbeat, brittle nails, and cold hands and feet. Since the symptoms are often general, diagnosis requires proper medical testing.

How is anaemia diagnosed?

Anaemia is diagnosed through a combination of clinical examination and laboratory tests. The most common test is a Complete Blood Count (CBC), which measures haemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and red blood cell count. Additional tests may include serum iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folic acid levels, and bone marrow biopsy in special cases. Genetic tests are done for hereditary anaemias like sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Diagnosis is essential to determine the type and guide appropriate treatment.