Weblogs for Health

Anemia: What is it?

Anemia is a common health problem characterized by a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin. The main symptoms of anemia are fatigue, paleness and breathlessness increased effort.

Those most affected by anemia are women who have heavy periods, people who eat poorly, infants and young children. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 25% of world population suffers from anémie1.

Symptoms of anemia due to depletion of tissue oxygen. Red blood cells are cells found in blood. They contain mostly hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is composed of protein (globin) and a pigment (heme) that gives red blood. The fixed iron pigment that transports oxygen from the lungs to the cells. Oxygen is essential for cells that produce energy. The pigment bound to oxygen is colored red vermilion: the arterial blood. Hemoglobin also transports carbon dioxide from cells into the lungs. It becomes purplish red: the venous blood.

Causes

Anemia can be of various origins:
* Anything that decreases the production of red blood cells (such as kidney disease or a deficiency of iron or certain vitamins) or accelerates the pace of destruction;
* Bleeding, that is to say, a significant loss of blood outside the circulatory system. Blood loss may occur acutely, then a short period of time, or chronic, with small losses over a long period.
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