Anaemia

Anaemia (AmE) or anæmia, from the Greek (ἀναιμία) (an-haîma) meaning "without blood", is a deficiency of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or hemoglobin.

This results in a reduced ability of blood to transfer oxygen to the tissues, causing tissue hypoxia. Since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have a wide range of clinical consequences. Hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells) has to be present to ensure adequate oxygenation of all body tissues and organs.

Causes
The three main classes of anemia include excessive blood loss (acutely such as a hemorrhage or chronically through low-volume loss), excessive blood cell destruction (hemolysis) or deficient red blood cell production (ineffective hematopoiesis). In menstruating women, dietary iron deficiency is a common cause of deficient red blood cell production. Anaemia is the most common disorder of the blood. There are several kinds of anaemia , produced by a variety of underlying causes.

Classifying Anaemia
Anaemia can be classified in a variety of ways, based on the morphology of RBCs, underlying etiologic mechanisms, and discernible clinical spectra, to mention a few. There are two major approaches of classifying anemia s, the "kinetic" approach which involves evaluating production, destruction and loss, and the "morphologic" approach which groups anaemia by red blood cell size. The morphologic approach uses a quickly available and cheap lab test as its starting point (the MCV). On the other hand, focusing early on the question of production may allow the clinician more rapidly to expose cases where multiple causes of anaemia coexist.

SIGN & SYMPTOMS:
Anemia goes undetected in many people, and symptoms can be vague. They can include:

• Feeling of weakness or fatigue
• General malaise
• Poor concentration.
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion.
• Palpitations and sweatiness
• Pallor (pale skin, mucosal linings and nail beds) is often a useful diagnostic sign in moderate or severe anemia ,
• Loss of appetite
• Disturbed vision
• Angina

TREATMENTS:
There are many different treatments for anaemia and the treatment depends on severity and the cause. Iron deficiency from nutritional causes is rare in non-menstruating adults (men and post- menopaus al women). The diagnosis of iron deficiency mandates a search for potential sources of loss such as gastrointestinal bleeding from ulcers or colon cancer. Mild to moderate iron deficiency anaemia is treated by iron supplementation with ferrous sulphate or ferrous gluconate. Vitamin C may aid in the body's ability to absorb iron. Vitamin supplements given orally (folic acid) or subcutaneously vitamin b-12 will replace specific deficiencies. In anaemia of chronic disease, anaemia associated with chemotherapy, or anaemia associated with renal disease, some clinicians prescribe recombinant erythropoietin, epoetin alfa, to stimulate red cell production. In severe cases of anaemia , or with ongoing blood loss, a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Alternative therapies include aromatherapy treatments. The following essential oils are particularly indicated for the treatment of anaemia ; Black Pepper is a stimulant of the spleen which is involved in the production of new blood cells. It is also stimulating and warming which can help to alleviate the feelings of utter exhaustion which can go with this condition. Chamomile Roman , Geranium and Lemon can be useful where the course of anaemia is found to be heavy blood loss. Thyme can be invaluable in the treatment of anaemia . It is a powerful stimulant and is widely used where the body is working “under par” It is good for combating fatigue and lethargy and can sometimes help to stimulate a sluggish appetite. A good idea is to run a bath daily and use 2 drops each of Black Pepper , Chamomile Roman , and Lemon  or 2 drops each Geranium ,   Lemon and Thyme . To inhale put a few drops of Black Pepper , Lemon or Thyme on a tissue. (Keep your eyes shut)

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