By - Snigdha Nair
The blood disorder anemia is when your body is lacking Red Blood Cells (RBC). This does not mean you have zero red blood cells, it means you don’t have healthy enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues in your body. A person with this condition is called “Anemic.
The blood disorder Anemia is a decreased amount in red blood cells and/or the lack of hemoglobin in the blood. Red blood cells have a main function/purpose to provide the body with oxygen. It transports oxygen to tissues while the hemoglobin absorbs it. Then the heart pumps it in order for the oxygen to be sent to other cells. Red blood cells are crucial as they carry oxygen. The gas is needed for respiration. ("Red Blood Cell")
Oxygen from the lungs is collected through the heart and then it cycles. It involuntarily rotates to circulate and pump blood through your body all without any actual work involved. In normal case scenarios, red blood cells are in a (without hole) donut shape. In some cases, the shape shifts and it is usually caused by hereditary diseases like sickle cell anemia/disease. It is very dangerous for a change in shape as it stops blood flow in the veins and capillaries. ("Red Blood Cell") Capillaries help gases like O2 and Co2 pass easily and with a variation in shape, the capillaries cannot function properly or successfully complete its job by using elements like their 1 cell thick wall.
Hemoglobin, present in red blood cells is a protein molecule. The hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body. It sends oxygen and returns Co2 (Carbon dioxide). ("Hemoglobin: What Are Low, High & Normal Levels? A1c Test") Hemoglobin is part of the reason that the red blood cells are in their donut shape. Hemoglobin contains Fe (Iron element) which maintains the red color in the blood and is spread throughout the body. It is called “Anemia” for low hemoglobin levels, but high hemoglobin levels are dangerous as well. A cause of an above-average hemoglobin level is dehydration but can be set back to normal levels if hydrated with lots of fluids. Although dehydration is a false radar, smoking, however, is not. If smoking habits are frequent it will take years, if not at all to recover. Smoking is not only a cause for high-level hemoglobin but a factor of heart stroke and heart attack.
Anemia is actually a common blood disease. It is the most common blood disorder and according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, it affects more than 3 million Americans. ("Anemia") Anemia can be fatal if left untreated. It can be chronic and fatal because your organs don’t get enough oxygen and they don’t function at a normal level as of most people. If your organs fail and begin to shut down, so do you.
Anemia in general causes 1.7 deaths per 100,000 people in the United States annually. ("Faststats")
Globally, Anemia affects 1.62 billion people. ("WHO | Global Anaemia Prevalence And Number Of Individuals Affected")
Anemia is the most common blood disease in the world, out of any other blood disease/blood cancer. It affects more than 3 Million Americans. Usually Anemia is caused because of genetics and family history. You are diagnosed by numerous thorough tests, X-rays, CT-Scans, etc… Anemia can also be caused by a heavy loss of blood like cuts, or wounds for a repetitive period of time. Any medical conditions ongoing for a long period of time, can also cause Anemia.
Anemia Symptoms ("Symptoms Of Anemia")
● Easy fatigue and loss of energy.
● Unusually rapid heart beat, particularly with exercise.
● Shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise.
● Difficulty concentrating.
● Dizziness.
● Pale skin.
● Leg cramps.
● Insomnia.
Normally, Anemia is treated through oral and intravenous fluids. Which is fluids helping you get the nutrition you need and keep you healthy through your treatments. The oral fluid is a glucose based drip which connects to your hand or anywhere with veins generally). You are getting the nutrients and the same energy, vitals from glucose that you are from foods. Sometimes, during medical treatments, you are not allowed to eat or drink anything for 24 hours, or more or you are simply not able to move like being paralyzed or “Nil By Mouth” That's when these fluids come in, providing you with essentials for you and your body.
The main reason for Intravenous fluids was the fatal disease cholera. It was invented by Dr. Thomas Latta of Leith IN 1831. Even though modern IV drips are not far back, it was known that medications could be infused through the vein.
However, Sir Christopher Wren successfully created the first ever device to drip fluids into the body. The invention took the duration of Sir Christopher Wren’s life to complete. (1632-1723) It was made out of pig’s bladder and a quill used for writing letters, notes, etc… It wasn’t ideal, but it still worked, allowing him to infuse fluids into animals, and even humans.
The IV drip is a very useful technology today. It is nearly always used in any hospital globally and you may very likely see it on all the trips you take to the hospital.
HOW IT WORKS
The way it works is that the IV drip is connected to a large stand so that it doesn’t require constant supervision as the infusion to the bloodstream may take hours or may need hours. Then, a needle is used and stuck to your hand and the needle is vaccinated directly into your veins which is why it reaches your body through your bloodstream and provides vitals.
POTENTIAL GLOBAL IMPACT
There is evidence that socioeconomic status (SES) affects an individual's health outcomes and the health care they receive. People of lower SES are more likely to have worse self-reported health, lower life expectancy, and suffer from more chronic conditions when compared with those of higher SES. They also receive fewer diagnostic tests and medications for many chronic diseases and have limited access to health care due to cost and coverage. ("How Socioeconomic Status Affects Patient Perceptions Of Health Care: A Qualitative Study - Nicholas C. Arpey, Anne H. Gaglioti, Marcy E. Rosenbaum, 2017")
Mortality rates in the developed world have fallen sharply during the twentieth century. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status, however, generally have faced higher mortality rates than individuals of higher status. ("Home - Pubmed - NCBI")
If used too much, IV drips can be dangerous. Immediately go back to normal eating once you are able to eat and drink properly. Some hospitals only provide IV when in critical condition. In cases of massive bleeding, overwhelming infection, or dangerously low blood pressure, IV treatments can dramatically increase the chances of survival. (Robert H. Shmerling)
For the most part, IV drips are accessible to everyone.
Anemia can be stopped by specific problems such as:
❏ Water Pollution
❏ Excretion in public surroundings
❏ Maintaining hygiene Habits
❏ Washing hands, dishes, clothes, sheets, yourself, etc…
WAYS YOU CAN PREVENT ANEMIA BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
❏ Genetic Conditions- Check with the doctor if you have any
❏ Constant visits to the hospital
❏ Eat Healthy
❏ Exercise
❏ Don’t Smoke, Vape, or drug yourself/pass it on to others
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