Anemia of Chronic disease: Causes and Symptoms

What're causes of Anemia of Chronic disease?
Anemia of chronic disease causes are related to the effects of chronic diseases on the red blood cells. These conditions cause a number of changes in the body's red blood cells. The lifespan of red blood cells becomes shorter, production of new red blood cells in the bone marrow slows down, and iron is "withheld" so that it cannot be used to make new red blood cells. Normally the body recycles iron from "old" red blood cells and uses it to make new ones. In anemia of chronic disease, the body does not recycle iron as easily.

Conditions can cause anemia of chronic disease include:

• Chronic infections such as tuberculosis , lung abscess, and subacute endocarditis
• Noninfectious inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis , osteomyelitis , systemic lupus erythematosus , and inflammatory bowel disease
• Common childhood infections, including ear infections and urinary tract infections
• Congestive heart failure , thyroid disease
• Kidney failure. The kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates your bone marrow to produce red blood cells. A shortage of erythropoietin, which can result from kidney failure or be a side effect of chemotherapy, can result in a shortage of red blood cells.
• Cancer, particularly Hodgkin’s disease , lung cancer , and breast cancer

What're symptoms of Anemia of Chronic disease?
The primary condition (Chronic disease) causing the anemia will have its own set of symptoms. Symptoms include:

• Pale complexion, dizziness, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat
• Infection, fever (even mild)
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness