anemia is of what system?
Overview of Anemia. Anemia is defined as an absolute decrease in the red cell mass as measured by RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and/or PCV. It can develop from loss, destruction, or lack of production of RBCs. Anemia is classified as regenerative or nonregenerative. According to research from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), anemia is taxing on the cardiovascular system (and heart) due to the fact that the body requires iron to produce hemoglobin, an essential substance that transports oxygen from the lungs to the various tissues and organs. What is anemia of inflammation and chronic disease (AI/ACD)? Anemia of inflammation and chronic disease is a type of anemia that commonly occurs with chronic, or long term, illnesses or infections. Cancer and inflammatory disorders, in which abnormal activation of the immune system occurs, can also cause AI/ACD. Anemia is a condition in which a person has a lower than normal number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells drops below normal, which prevents the body’s cells from getting enough oxygen. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a group of disorders characterized by a malfunction of the immune system that produces autoantibodies, which attack red blood cells as if they were substances foreign to the body. 1  Some people have no symptoms, and other people are tired, short of breath, and pale. Anemia can be caused by the body not making enough red blood cells. It is also caused by their loss or destruction. Several factors can cause anemia: Too little iron, vitamin B12 or folate. A shortage of folate can cause megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are large and pale (see Fact Sheet 121). When the cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia is another disorder, symptoms of the underlying disorder, such as swollen and tender lymph nodes and fever, may dominate. People with paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria may have severe pain in the back and legs, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. The urine may be dark brown. Blood transfusion used to be the only treatment for severe anemia. However, transfusions can cause infection and suppress the immune system. They appear to cause faster progression of HIV disease and to increase the risk of death for HIV patients. Anemia can be caused by the body not making enough red blood cells. It is also caused by their loss or destruction. Too little iron, vitamin B12 or folate. A shortage of folate can cause megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are large and pale (see Fact Sheet 121). Microcytosis (a decrease in the MCV) is the hallmark of iron-deficiency anemia. The hemoglobin concentration of each RBC, measured in g/dL, is defined as the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Terms used for description of abnormalities with MCHC include normochromia and hypochromia.
Anemia is taxing on the cardiovascular system due to the fact that the body requires iron to produce hemoglobin.