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ANEMIA

Source: www.hawaii.edu
Topic: Anemia
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Sort Desciption: Anemia is a shortage of hemoglobin (HGB). HGB is a protein in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Anemia causes fatigue and shortness of breath. ...

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ANEMIA Partially funded by the National Library of Medicine and the New Mexico Department of Health Fact Sheets can be downloaded from the Internet at ANEMIA WHAT IS ANEMIA? Anemia is a shortage of hemoglobin (HGB). HGB is a protein in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Anemia causes fatigue and shortness of breath. People with anemia dont feel as good as people with a normal level of HGB. They find it harder to work. This is called having a lower quality of life. HGB levels are measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC.) See Fact Sheet 106 for more information on these laboratory tests. HGB is measured as grams per deciliter, the amount in a specific volume of blood. Anemia is defined by the level of HGB. Most doctors agree that HGB levels below 6.5 indicate life-threatening anemia. Normal levels are at least 12 for women and at least 14 for men. Overall, women have lower levels of HGB. So do very old and very young people. More African-Americans have anemia than people in other ethnic groups. WHAT CAUSES ANEMIA? The bone marrow produces red blood cells. This process requires iron, the vitamins B 12 and folic acid (or folate.) Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates the production of red blood cells. EPO is a hormone made by the kidneys. Anemia can be caused by low production of red blood cells. It is also caused by their loss or destruction. Several factors can cause anemia: Too little iron, vitamin B 12 or folate. A shortage of folate can cause megaloblastic anemia with large, pale red blood cells (see Fact Sheet 106) Damage to bone marrow or kidneys Blood loss from internal bleeding or a womans menstrual cycle Destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) HIV infection can cause anemia. So can many opportunistic infections (see fact sheet 500) related to HIV disease. Many drugs that are commonly used to treat HIV and related inf ...

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