Translation in Medical Affairs
Ninth Assignment
Instructor: Majid Al-Humaidi
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. These cells are the main transporters of oxygen to organs. If red blood cells are also deficient in hemoglobin, then your body isn't getting enough iron. Symptoms of anemia -- like fatigue -- occur because organs aren't getting enough oxygen.
Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. It affects about 3.5 million
Americans. Women and people with chronic diseases are at increased risk of anemia.
Important factors to remember are:
 Certain forms of anemia are hereditary and infants may be affected from the time of birth.
 Women in the childbearing years are particularly susceptible to a form of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia because of the blood loss from
 menstruation and the increased blood supply demands during pregnancy.
Seniors also may have a greater risk of developing anemia because of poor diet and other medical conditions.
There are many types of anemia. All are very different in their causes and treatments.
Iron-deficiency anemia, the most common type, is very treatable with diet changes and iron supplements. Some forms of anemia -- like the anemia that develops during pregnancy -- are even considered normal. However, some types of anemia may present lifelong health problems.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of anemia vary according to the type of anemia, the underlying cause, and any underlying health problems. Anemia may be associated with other medical conditions such as hemorrhage, ulcers, menstrual problems or cancer -- and specific symptoms of those conditions may be noticed first.
The body also has a remarkable ability to compensate for early anemia. If your anemia is mild or developed over a long period of time, you may not notice any symptoms.
Symptoms common to many types of anemia include the following:
 Easy fatigue and loss of energy
 Unusually rapid heart beat, particularly with exercise
 Shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise
 Difficulty concentrating
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Dizziness
 Pale skin
Leg cramps
 Insomnia
Other symptoms are associated with specific forms of anemia.

What are the treatments for anemia?
Your doctor will not treat your anemia until the underlying cause has been established. The treatment for one type of anemia may be both inappropriate and dangerous for another type of anemia.
Anemia caused by blood loss
If you suddenly lose a large volume of blood, you may be treated with fluids, blood transfusion, oxygen, and possibly iron to help your body build new red blood cells.
Chronic blood loss is treated by identifying the source of bleeding, stopping the bleeding, and, if necessary, giving treatment for iron-deficiency anemia.
Anemia caused by decreased red blood cell production
The type of treatment you receive depends on the cause of decreased red blood cell production.
With iron deficiency anemia your doctor will probably recommend iron supplements that contain the ferrous form of iron, which your body can absorb easily.