Possible Complications of Anemia in the Elderly
There are many possible complications that may occur with Anemia in the elderly population. While it is true that most incidents of this condition are considered to be relatively mild, it is important to keep in mind that when a person suffers from Anemia, the basic transportation system of oxygen within the blood is affected.
Even mild cases of this condition may result in fatigue. In more serious cases of Anemia, the fatigue and low energy levels produced by the reduction in oxygen transport within the body may become crippling. There are many other complications that may be experienced by the elderly too.
Secondary Damage
When Anemia occurs, there is a drastic reduction in the red blood cells of the body. When this happens, the body’s ability to absorb oxygen directly from the lungs is drastically hindered. As a result, it is common for the Anemia to result in basic dysfunction of the organs of the body.
Naturally, if an organ is not working properly, it results in direct damage of that organ. In the elderly, the organ most often affected by this secondary damage is the heart. In particular case studies, it has been found that the elderly over the age of eight five years have higher mortality rates than others that are younger.
Immediate Concerns
There are many immediate concerns when evaluating the possible complications of Anemia in older patients. The first, of course, is the effect that the condition has on the heart. It has been discovered that the condition increases a person’s risk of developing a condition that is cardiac based. If a person does experience a complication that is cardiac related, such as a heart attack or failure of the heart, the survival rate is drastically decreased if they suffer from Anemia.
In addition to this, Anemia has been linked to the onset of a form of dementia that is referred to as “Vascular”. If you or someone that you know is considered to be elderly, it is essential to work closely with a medical professional on a treatment plan to resolve any type of Anemia that may be experienced.