Types of Anaemia and Basic Information

Anaemia is a clinical condition in which total count of red blood cells in a person’s blood get lowered. It can also be associated with low haemoglobin content in RBC and reduction in formation of new red blood cells from bone marrow. Haemoglobin is an iron containing protein that imparts red color to blood. The function of haemoglobin is to carry Oxygen from lungs to all cells of the body. It exchanges with carbon dioxide, which is a byproduct of metabolism in body. Muscles are the major type of tissue that uses Oxygen rapidly. RBCs, also known as erythrocytes, are disc shaped cells with a depression in centre. They are produced in bone marrows of large bones in body and the life span of RBC is 120 days. Other than RBC, white blood cells and platelets are two other types of blood cells. Their major function is to fight against infection and to assist in blood clotting respectively. The number of these cells will be low in some types of anaemia.

In case of anaemic patients, the reduction in count of RBC will directly affect the amount of Oxygen to other cells. This is why anaemic patients feel tired with impaired body functions. They will not be able to withstand muscular activities. In some cases of prolonged and severe anaemia, lack of Oxygen to cells for long time will be fatal, making damage to heart and other major organs. The chance of getting affected will be high in women and children with severe infections. Some types of anaemia are mild and subside after some days or months. Certain other types are curable and most of them can be controlled. There are some types of anaemia that can attack severely. It may be life threatening and long lasting, if left untreated.

There are many types of anaemia,based on characteristics and causes they can be listed as below

1. Aplastic anaemia
2. Blood loss anaemia
3. Auto immune haemolytic anaemia
4. Diamond-Blackfan anaemia
5. Folate deficiency anaemia
6. Cooley’s anaemia
7. Fanconi anaemia
8. Hemolytic anaemia (due to severe infections)
9. Pernicious anaemia
10. Iron deficiency anaemia
11. Sickle cell anaemia
12. Thalassemia

Anaemia is also known as iron poor blood or tired blood. Anaemia can be diagnosed by blood tests and checking the iron and vitamin levels.