Anemia is a condition where the body does not produce an adequate amount of red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues.
There are many types of Anemia:
- Anemia due to B12 deficiency
- Anemia due to folate deficiency
- Anemia due to iron deficiency
- Hemolytic anemia
- Hemolytic anemia due to G-6-PD deficiency
- Idiopathic aplastic anemia
- Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Immune hemolytic anemia
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Pernicious anemia
- Secondary aplastic anemia
- Sickle cell anemia
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hemoglobin, which gives blood cells their red color, is the protein that carries the oxygen within a red blood cell. Patients with anemia have deficiencies in hemoglobin. Depending on the type of anemia you have, the cause may vary. Some possible causes for anemia include:
- Certain medications
- Diseases such as cancer or rheumatoid arthritis
- Genes -- some forms of anemia can be inherited
- Kidney failure
- Blood loss (for example, from heavy menstrual periods)
- Poor diet
- Pregnancy
- Problems with bone marrow (where blood cells are made)
- Problems with the immune system that cause the destruction of blood cells
- Surgery to the stomach or intestines that reduces the absorption of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid
Symptoms
Symptoms experienced by Anemia patients include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or light-headedness (especially when standing up or with exertion)
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Headaches
- Problems concentrating
- Shortness of breath (especially during exercise)
Patients have also been known to experience other symptoms such as constipation, tingling sensations and problems thinking.
Medications
Contact us to learn more about the medications used for treatments
Additional information available at:
Anemia: Symptoms NIH - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
