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Anemia

This category is for questions about the lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin called anemia: its symptoms, causes, and treatment.

936 Questions

What can anemia lead to?

First of all:Anemia is a medical condition in which the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen to the tissues is reduced, either because of too few red blood cells, or because of too little hemoglobin.

This can lead to lathargy, low energy levels, pale appearence, you may become short of breath.

Other symptoms include: Hairloss, malaise and heart problems.

How do you treat sickle cell anemia?

Sickle-cell anemia is a genetic disorder, so you can only get it by being born with it. Sickle-cell anemia is much more prevalent in people of African descent because of its evolutionary advantage in regions where malaria is common. While having sickle-cell anemia is clearly detrimental to survival, having only one allele (instead of both) of the gene coding for sickle-cell anemia results in higher tolerance to the effects of malaria once infected with it. The greater number of people having only one allele leads to greater chance of their offspring having both, resulting in sickle-cell disease.

What mutations does beta-thalassemia have on DNA?

Beta-thalassemia is typically caused by mutations in the HBB gene located on chromosome 11. Common mutations include point mutations, deletions, or insertions in the HBB gene, leading to reduced or absent production of beta-globin chains in hemoglobin. These mutations disrupt the normal structure and function of hemoglobin, resulting in anemia and other symptoms associated with beta-thalassemia.

Whuch organs are affected by sickle cell?

The organs afected by Sickle Cell Anemia is the heart and lungs...also the blood(blood cells) and bones

This disease is very serious. TEst for this disease before thinking about pregnancy because it goes automatically to your child adn ask your doctor ways to treat it- this disease can cause you pain your whole life. It runs in families.

How is sickle cell anemia spread?

When you walk past someone who sneezes. The anemia gets its sickle into your cells that way.

This is wrong^^^^

This is the correct answer: Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin S changes the shape of red blood cells, especially when the cells are exposed to low oxygen levels. The red blood cells become shaped like crescents or sickles. ( its passed down from parents to offspring, if they have the trait )

What is the promlem of sickle-cell anemia?

sickle cell trait is a gene inherited from one parent which gives partial immunity to malaria and but is unlikely to develop into sickle cell anemia.

The same gene inherited from BOTH parents causes Sickle-cell anemia, a blood disorder in which the body produces abnormal type of hemoglobin in red blood cells and can be deadly.

What specific changes in the DNA cause sickle cell anemia?

The gene associated with sickle cell anemia is HBB, which is located in region 15.5 on the short arm of chromosome 11. There are many variations that can cause sickle cell, but primarily it is caused by the hemoglobin variant Hb S. According to the human genome project website: "the hydrophobic amino acid valine takes the place of hydrophilic glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position of the HBB polypeptide chain. This substitution creates a hydrophobic spot on the outside of the protein structure that sticks to the hydrophobic region of an adjacent hemoglobin molecule's beta chain. This clumping together (polymerization) of Hb S molecules into rigid fibers causes the "sickling" of red blood cells." In a nutshell, when the hydrophobic (water fearing) amino replaces a hydrophilic one (water loving) on the protein chain, it creates a spot that sticks to another similar mutated gene, and they clump together, creating a sickle shaped cell. Looking at the location and incidence rates of sickle cell amenia, scientists believe that because malaria rates are high in the region, the body has created this defense against the disease -- an evolutionary self defense. Hope that helps :-)

Can you catch sickle cell trait from kissing?

No, sickle cell trait is a genetic condition that is inherited from one's parents and is not spread through kissing or any other form of casual contact. It is important to understand the genetic basis of sickle cell trait and discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider.

The cause of sickle cell anemia is?

a child must inherit two copies of the defective gene in order to have a cystics fibrosis but when it come to sickle-cell anemia it is a disease passed down through families in which red blood cells from an abnormal sickle or crescent shape.Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body and are normally shaped like a disc so what causes sickle-cell anemia is the two copies that they get from both parents which gets passed down through families.

What chromosome number is affected in sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation on chromosome 11, specifically in the HBB gene that codes for the beta-globin protein. This mutation leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in the characteristic sickle-shaped red blood cells.

Is sickle cell anemia an example of pleiotropy?

Pleiotropy describes the genetic effect of a single gene on multiple phenotypic traits. The underlying mechanism is that the gene codes for a product that is for example used by various cells, or has a signalling function on various targets. A classic example of pleiotropy is the human disease PKU (phenylketonuria). This disease can cause mental retardation and reduced hair and skin pigmentation, and can be caused by any of a large number of mutations in a single gene that codes for an enzyme (phenylalanine hydroxylase) that converts the amino acid phenylalanine to tyrosine, another amino acid. Depending on the mutation involved, this results in reduced or zero conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine, and phenylalanine concentrations increase to toxic levels, causing damage at several locations in the body. PKU is totally benign if a diet free from phenylalanine is maintained.

Sickle cell anemia and some nerve and brain disorders are examples of which of these?

Sickle cell anemia and some nerve and brain disorders are examples of inherited diseases. These inherited diseases pass from parent to child via chromosomal exchange.

What does it mean when someone carries the sickle cell gene but does not have the disease?

If you carry the sickle cell gene, it doesn't really mean much as far as your own personal health goes. Except that you are less likely to get malaria. However, if you decide to have kids, and whoever you mate with also carries the sickle cell gene (not the full blown disease/gene) , your child has a chance of having sickle cell disease (full blown).

Explain the relation between vitamin b12 and pernicious anemia?

first of all its called vitamin b12 deficiency anemia. Pernicious anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia are the same thing. Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B12. You're not able to absorb the vitamin B12 due to the absence of intrinsinc factor.

What type of mutations exist in sickle cell allele?

The sickle cell allele can have a point mutation where a single nucleotide is changed, resulting in the substitution of glutamic acid with valine in the beta-globin chain of hemoglobin. This leads to the characteristic sickle-shaped red blood cells in individuals with sickle cell disease.

Is anemia a genetic disorder?

Anemia is a broad disorder that literally translates as 'no blood'. In medical practice, anemia is a condition in which there are insufficient normal red blood cells to provide oxygen to the body tissues.

Anemia can be caused by a wide variety of things: large volume blood loss, infection, cancer and toxins can all result in various types of anemia.

There are also genetic causes of anemia. Two commonly discussed genetic anemias are sickle cell anemia and hemophilia-related anemia. Sickle cell anemia developed in Africa, where malaria parasites are common. A heterozygous individual has about 15% abnormal red blood cells that are crescent-shaped and don't transport oxygen well. Hemophilia was traced to a point mutation in the English royal line in the Middle Ages, which then spread throughout Europe via marriage among the royal houses. Hemophilia actually results in blood that does not clot properly, which can result in anemia due to chronic blood loss through hemorrhages.

Are people with Sickle cell disease immune to west nile virus?

People with sickle cell disease are not immune to West Nile virus. However, they may be at a higher risk for severe complications if they do contract the virus due to their weakened immune system. It is important for individuals with sickle cell disease to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites and reduce their risk of being infected with West Nile virus.

In the African tropics the maintenance of the sickle-cell allele in the human population can be attributed to?

Heterozygotes - those with sickle cell trait - show resistance to malaria. Therefore the survival rate of those with one sickle cell allele is higher than those with none - allowing for the trait to be passed on more frequently.

Sickle cell anemia results from a defective?

Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affects molecule in red blood cells (hemoglobin) that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. Person with this disorder have typical hemoglobin molecules called hemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent, shape.

The HbS allele sickle cell occurs at a higher frequency in Africa than it does in the US because?

The higher frequency of the HbS allele in Africa is due to historical selective pressure from malaria. People with one copy of the HbS allele have increased resistance to malaria, providing a survival advantage in regions where the disease is prevalent. In the US, where malaria is not as common, there is less selective pressure for the allele to be maintained at high frequencies.

What is the major difference between thalassemia and sickle cell anemia?

Thalassemia is a quantitative problem of too few globins synthesized, whereas sickle-cell anemia (a hemoglobinopathy) is a qualitative problem of synthesis of an incorrectly functioning globin. (wikipedia)

Who is affected by sickle cell anemia?

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting individuals who inherit two copies of the abnormal hemoglobin gene from both parents. This primarily affects people of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent.

What is the causative agent of sickle cell?

Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This mutation results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S, which causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped and less flexible.

Is sickle cell anemia dominant recessive x-linked recessive a chromosomal error or a multi-factorial trait?

Sickle cell anemia is a recessive genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, located on chromosome 11. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a person needs to inherit two abnormal copies of the gene (one from each parent) to have the disease. It is not an X-linked disorder or a multifactoial trait.

What is Iron-Deficient Amenia?

Iron-deficient anemia is a condition where there is a lack of iron in the body, leading to a decrease in the production of healthy red blood cells. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath. Treatment typically involves increasing iron intake through diet or supplements.