Anaemia is a condition where the blood does not carry enough oxygen around the body. There are many different causes and many different treatments. Science is continuing its research into newer, more patient-friendly alternative therapies.
Disease: Anaemia
Last update: May 2005
Intro
FAQ
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What is it?
Anaemia is a condition where the blood does not carry enough oxygen around the body. This may be because there are not enough red blood cells or because each red blood cell is carrying less oxygen than normal. The presence of anaemia usually indicates another disorder.
Severe anaemia can result in weakness, dizziness, headaches and extreme tiredness. -
Who gets it?
Lack of dietary iron, particularly in women who are pregnant or who have heavy periods, is the most common cause of anaemia.
Anaemia is also linked with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Also, it is commonly present after kidney transplantation due to a decrease in erythropoietin (Epo), a hormone involved in the production of red blood cells.
About 250 million people worldwide have genetic abnormalities that affect the structure of their red blood cells and result in conditions such as sickle cell disease. -
What can be done about it?
In most cases anaemia is treated with iron supplements and blood levels are monitored until they return to normal.
Epo therapy is indicated for the treatment of chemotherapy-related anaemia and in those with chronic kidney disease. -
What does the future hold?
Much of the current research concentrates on improving quality of life and survival rates in patients with chronic kidney failure and cancer-related anaemia, and a number of new Epo products are in development.
There is also growing interest in the development of treatments for genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease.