WiRED Releases Health Education Module on Anemia

BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN

Anemia affects an estimated 1.62 billion people or nearly one quarter of the world’s population. The highest instance of anemia occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Anemia often accompanies other conditions, such as malnutrition and malaria. Pets as well as people can suffer from anemia.

 

WiRED International’s Anemia module for health care professionals describes the condition’s types, causes, prevention and treatment. As always, the module is free to anyone for download onto a computer or flash drive.

 

Anemia affects an estimated 1.62 billion people or nearly one quarter of the world’s population.

Anemia occurs when a person’s blood has fewer than the normal number of red blood cells or when the red blood cells in the blood do not have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that gives the red color to the blood and carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.

 

The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue. However, some patients with anemia have no symptoms. Others may tire easily, appear pale, feel like their heart is racing and be short of breath. Anemia can be detected by a simple blood test called a complete blood cell count or CBC, which may provide clues about its cause.

 

When a person has anemia, their blood does not carry enough oxygen to all parts of their body. Without oxygen, their organs and tissues cannot work as well as they should. Groups vulnerable to anemia include infants, adolescent girls, pregnant women, frequent blood donors and people with chronic conditions.

 

Types of the disease include iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, inherited blood disease and aplastic anemia. Some forms of anemia may be life-threatening if they are not diagnosed and treated. Too little oxygen in the body can damage organs. With anemia, the heart must work harder to make up for the lack of hemoglobin. This extra work can harm the heart and even lead to heart failure.

 

Inherited types of anemia cannot be prevented, but anemia due to iron or vitamin deficiency can be prevented by choosing foods rich in a variety of vitamins and nutrients. Treatment depends on the cause and may include changing foods, taking dietary supplements (such as vitamins or iron pills), adding medicines or, in more severe forms of anemia, having medical procedures such as blood transfusion or surgery.

 

A recent finding from the University of Virginia offers encouraging news in the fight to overcome anemia. The discovery involves a new way to trigger red blood cell production, which may be available soon.

 

Learn about anemia. Check out the WiRED module!