What is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues.

Signs & Symptoms of Anemia

May vary depending on the cause of your anemia, but may include:

• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Cognitive problems
• Cold hands and feet
• Headache

Initially, anemia can be so mild it goes unnoticed. But signs and symptoms increase as anemia worsens.

Common Types of Anemia

There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe. Common types of anemia include iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, anemia as a result of chronic diseases and other anemias such as anemias associated with bone marrow disease, hemolytic anemias, sickle cell anemia and aplastic anemia.

Risk Factors for Anemia

The following factors place you at increased risk of anemia:

1. A diet lacking in certain vitamins & minerals such as iron, vitamin B-12 & folate.
2. Intestinal disorders that affects the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine — such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease — increases the risk of anemia.
3. In general, women who haven't experienced menopause have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than do men and postmenopausal women.
4. Pregnancy increases the risk of iron deficiency anemia because iron stores have to serve an increased blood volume as well as be a source of hemoglobin for the growing fetus.
5. Chronic conditions such as cancer, kidney or liver failure, or another chronic condition, can lead to a shortage of red blood cells.
6. Family history of certain types of anemias.
7. Other factors include a history of certain infections, blood diseases and autoimmune disorders, exposure to toxic chemicals, and the use of some medications can affect red blood cell production and lead to anemia.

Complications

Left untreated, anemia can cause numerous complications, such as:

1. Severe fatigue that prevents the patient from completing everyday tasks.
2. Heart problems including a rapid or irregular heartbeat. The heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the blood when a person is anemic. This can even lead to congestive heart failure.
3. Some inherited anemias, can be serious and lead to life-threatening complications.

Tests and Diagnosis

• Physical examination.
• Bone marrow sample study in some cases.
• The following table illustrates the medical lab tests that need to be done for the diagnosis of anemia:
  • Complete blood count (C.B.C.)
  • Reticulocytic count
  • Serum iron
  • Total iron binding capacity (T.I.B.C.)