Chronic diseases could cause anaemia, Expert warns
NAN-HG-6
Anaemia
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, March 6, 2017 (NAN) The National Coordinator, National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS), Dr Oluwatoyin Smith, on Monday warned that people with chronic diseases could be at risk of anaemia.
Smith told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that certain forms of anaemia are hereditary and infants may be susceptible to it from birth.
She described anaemia as a condition where lack of iron in the body leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells.
“Women in their child bearing years are particularly susceptible to iron-deficiency anaemia because of the blood loss from menstruation and the increased blood supply demands during pregnancy.
“Older adults also may have a greater risk of developing anaemia because of poor diet and other medical conditions,” she said.
Smith also said there were different types of anaemia, describing them as “very different in their causes and treatments’’.
She said iron-deficiency anaemia, the most common type, was treatable with diet changes and iron supplements.
“Some forms of anaemia like the mild anaemia that develops during pregnancy, are even considered normal. However, some types of anaemia may present lifelong health problems.
“Red blood cells can be lost through bleeding, which often can occur slowly over a long period of time, and can go undetected,’’ Smith said.
She said red blood cells may be faulty or decreased due to abnormal red blood cells or a lack of minerals and vitamins needed for red blood cells to work properly.
Smith said conditions associated with causes of anaemia include sickle cell anaemia, iron-deficiency anaemia, vitamin deficiency, bone marrow and stem cell problems as well as other health conditions.
“Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disorder, red blood cells become crescent shaped because of a genetic defect.
“They break down rapidly, so oxygen does not get to the body’s organs, causing anaemia. The crescent-shaped red blood cells can also get stuck in tiny blood vessels, causing pain,” she said.
However, Smith advised Nigerians to ensure that they eat balanced diet, as poor nutrition could result to low haemoglobin. (NAN)
OEO/ESAN/MST
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola