Anemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells is low. Acute anemia is sudden and can indicate a life-threatening condition, while chronic anemia develops slowly. Various tests are used to determine the cause and severity of anemia, and treatment may include blood transfusions, iron supplements, and iron-rich foods. Symptoms can include weakness, drowsiness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, dizziness, and disorientation.
Anemia, sometimes referred to as “low blood,” describes a condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells is low. When the condition develops over a long period of time, it is called chronic anemia. If the anemia has a sudden onset, it is called acute anemia. When anemia is acute, it usually indicates blood loss from somewhere in the body, although in some cases, other conditions may be the cause.
Acute anemia is usually taken very seriously by doctors, as it could indicate a life-threatening condition. Internal bleeding resulting from a ruptured blood vessel can sometimes cause an acute form of anemia. Sometimes blood loss from bleeding ulcers or internal bleeding can be severe enough to cause sudden anemia. One of the first things doctors usually do is try to pinpoint the cause, as this knowledge will be needed to treat the condition accurately.
Some diseases can also cause an acute type of anemia. Some of these disorders include hemophilia, acquired platelet disorder, and the hemophilic disorders that sometimes accompany lupus. Furthermore, acute anemia is often one of the first symptoms of leukemia.
Various test methods can be performed to determine the exact cause of the anemia and how severe it is. A common method is a stool culture test, because internal bleeding, no matter how slight, usually shows up in the stool. The stool is placed on a card that has been treated with chemicals that turn the card blue if blood is detected. This type of test is called a fecal occult test. Doctors will also normally check your vitamin and iron levels by taking a blood culture.
Symptoms of anemia usually vary in severity, but can often include weakness, drowsiness, and pale skin. Some people with acute anemia complain of cold hands and feet and can often feel dizzy and disoriented. Fainting and memory loss are not uncommon in people with this condition. With chronic anemia, symptoms usually develop very slowly and may go unnoticed for some time, however, with acute anemia, symptoms are usually sudden and intense.
Both acute and chronic anemia typically require prompt treatment. This condition may require immediate blood transfusions to raise red blood cell counts. Along with transfusions, most people with acute anemia are advised to take iron supplements and start eating iron-rich foods. Iron is thought to be essential for increasing red blood cell levels.
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