Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the hemoglobin content of the blood is lower than normal as a result of deficiency of nutrients (iron, vitamin...), acute or chronic blood loss (bleeding, cancer, ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis,  nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, excessive menstruation, multiple pregnancies, parasitic infections, acute and chronic infections, chronic renal failure, congenital hemolytic diseases (sickle cell anemia...),leukemia...
More about anemia

Anemia

• Anemia is a condition in which the hemoglobin content of the blood is lower than normal as a result of
• deficiency of one or more essential nutrients (iron, vitamin...), 
• heavy blood loss (bleeding, hemorrhage), 
• chronic blood loss : ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis, cancer,  nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, which can cause ulcers and gastritis,  excessive menstruation, childbirth especially if there are multiple pregnancies
• parasitic infections such as hookworm infestations,
• acute and chronic infections
• chronic renal failure
• congenital hemolytic diseases (eg sickle cell anemia). 
• Bone marrow and stem cell problems such as leukemia 
• Globally, anemia is a public health problem affecting people in both developed and developing countries with bad consequences of human health as well as social and economic development.
• Anemia is a critical health concern because it affects growth and energy levels adversely . 
• At least half of anemia worldwide is due to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is due primarily to a lack of bio-available dietary iron or increased requirements such as during childhood and pregnancy .
• Anemia increases risk for maternal and child mortality and has negative consequences on the cognitive and physical development of children, and on work productivity in adults . 
• Clinical signs of anemia include breathlessness, dizziness, and perceived paleness or change of skin color 
• It damages immune mechanisms and is also associated with increased morbidity. 
• It occurs at all age groups, but is more prevalent in pregnant women and children. 
• Especially, young children from low income families have a higher risk for developing anemia due to iron deficiency that occurs as a result of high demand for iron during the period of rapid growth.
• Anemia is known to be a significant global problem affecting 305 million (25.4%) school age children. Globally, anemia affects 1.62 billion (24.8%) of the population , and an estimated 36% of developing world’s population suffers from this disease.
• Sources: Jemal A Haidar and Rebecca S Pobocik. BMC Hematology  / Selomon Assefa, Andualem Mossie. BMC Hematology