What Is Anisocytosis?
Anisocytosis is a form of inherited blood disorder in which red cells are less effective at carrying oxygen around the body. Red cell anemia occurs when red cells do not contain enough hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) or have too much hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a molecule made up of two molecules of oxygen bound together called a “double bond.” Without enough hemoglobin, red cells cannot carry out their normal functions.
Red cells are made up of many different types of cells. These include white blood cells, platelets, lymphocytes, neutrophils and other immune system cells. All these types of red cell make up the main component of your blood. When red cells die they release substances into the bloodstream called free radicals that damage tissue and organs such as the heart muscle, brain or lungs.
Free radical damage causes inflammation in various parts of the body including joints and skin.
The condition of having an insufficient amount of red cells is known as anemia. Anemia may cause problems in several ways:
Red blood cells don’t carry enough oxygen to the tissues and organs where they need it most. This leads to weakness, fatigue, pain, fever and other symptoms. For example, if you have low levels of iron in your body then you will experience fatigue, lack of energy and joint pains. You may also feel anemic if you have a high fever.
The build-up of free radicals in the body can cause oxidative stress which damages cells. As we grow older this process accelerates and can lead to diseases such as liver disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or cancer. So even if you don’t have any obvious symptoms of free radical damage, it is important to do something about it before things get worse.
There are several types of anemia, each with different causes and natural treatments:
What Are The Types Of Anemia?
There are several types of anemia, each with different causes and natural treatments:
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia in the US. It affects about 1 in 5 women between the ages of 15 and 45. In men, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. We all require a tiny amount of iron every day to survive and the best sources are red meat, fish, chicken and legumes.
Folic Acid Deficiency (FD) is common in women over the age of 20, especially if they are pregnant. Folate is a type of B-vitamin that helps prevent birth defects in newborn babies and also reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer later in life. Eating green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, oranges and beans are all good sources of folic acid.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency (VBD) can lead to tiredness and shortness of breath. This type of anemia is more common in the elderly. There are several great sources of B12, including clams, eggs, liver, meats and milk.
Pernicious Anemia (PA) is caused by low levels of vitamin B12 and prevents the blood from producing healthy red blood cells. The condition is also known as vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. It is most common in elderly people where the stomach lining becomes “atrocious” at absorbing vitamin B12 from food in the intestines. If untreated it can lead to serious nerve damage and irreversible heart problems as well as other complications.
Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) is a type of anemia that often affects African-Americans and Hispanics. It occurs due to a build-up of free radicals in the red blood cells which distort the cell into a sickle shape. This process makes it harder for the blood to travel around the body efficiently.
Facts About Anemia:
Anemia is Latin for “lack of blood” which refers to a deficiency of red blood cells.
The most common form of anemia is caused by an iron deficiency.
Anemia is a disorder that roughly affects 1/5th of the world’s population.
There are about 3,000 types of anemia.
Roughly 1 billion people on planet suffer from anemia.
Anemia cannot be cured but it can be controlled.
Anemias are classified as either being acquired or inherited.
Acquired anemias are caused by diet or the environment.
Inherited anemias are typically due to genetic defects.
The most common type of anemia affects women between the ages of 15-45.
It is easy to prevent anemia with good nutrition.
A person would have to bleed out at least 75% of their blood volume to suffer from acute anemia.
Avoiding iron rich foods is a common cause of acquired anemia.
Some signs and symptoms of anemia include; weakness, dizziness, pale skin, headaches, irritability and shortness of breath.
A lack of iron in the blood can cause the skin to turn pale. The body becomes less oxygenated and this causes the lips to become blue.
The best sources of iron are meat, eggs, fish, whole grains and green vegetables.
In the Middle Ages, the most common cause of anemia was scurvy.
Anemia affects about 1 billion people worldwide.
The earliest case of anemia is believed to have been described in 1500BC in Egypt.
Until the 20th century, it was assumed that all Red Cells were red. It wasn’t until a scientist developed the ability to see what we could not that we discovered that not all red cells are red.
George Eashington, the 1st President of the United States may have died of anemia.
Most leafy greens, such as kale and collard greens are good sources of anemia-fighting folate.
Research suggests that elderberries may help boost the immune system by fighting off viruses and other infectious diseases.
Some studies suggest that consuming beet juice can benefit athletes by enhancing their endurance during physical activity.
Dates are a sweet snack that contain a healthy dose of iron.
Traditionally, Mexican cooks prepare a molasses called “endibias” by mixing sugar, water and yeast together.
Feosol is one of the most popular and effective forms of Vitamin B12 which combats anemia in seniors.
Organs such as the liver and kidney can become anemic due to a lack of oxygen within the blood.
For thousands of years, castoreum has been used as a food additive by North American Indians. In the modern age, it is still used to flavor foods such as ice cream, candy and soda.
Apples are an excellent source of anemia-fighting Vitamin C. They also contain a healthy dose of fiber and nutrients such as potassium, calcium and more.
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency.
The recommended daily amount of iron for a human adult is 15mg.
Marathon runners and pregnant women are especially susceptible to anemia.
Mussels can be eaten raw as they are rich in iodine, which ensures that the thyroid gland produces the correct levels of hormones. Cooked mussels should always be cooked so they are not poisonous.
Blood is one of the five juices in the human body along with bone marrow, fat, water and intestines.
Approximately 4 to 6 million people suffer from anemia in the United States alone.
The body contains roughly 5 quarts or around 5 liters of blood.
Acute anemia can be fatal if it leads to heart failure or stroke. Without blood, a person will die within minutes.
Sources & references used in this article:
Quantitative anisocytosis as a discriminant between iron deficiency and thalassemia minor by JD Bessman, DI Feinstein – 1979 – ashpublications.org
Red-cell-volume distribution curves and the measurement of anisocytosis by JM England, MC Down – The Lancet, 1974 – Elsevier
Microcytosis, anisocytosis and the red cell indices in iron deficiency by JM England, SM WARD… – British journal of …, 1976 – Wiley Online Library
Erythrocyte anisocytosis: visual inspection of blood films vs automated analysis of red blood cell distribution width by DL Simel, ER DeLong, JR Feussner… – Archives of internal …, 1988 – jamanetwork.com
