What You ACTUALLY Need to Know About ANEMIA
Iron deficiency: The most common cause, often due to insufficient iron intake, blood loss (e.g., menstruation, injury), or poor iron absorption.
1. Iron-Deficiency Anemia | Johns Hopkins Medicine
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
Vitamin B12 deficiency: Can result from inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, or autoimmune conditions like pernicious anemia. 1. Pernicious Anemia – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Folate deficiency: Often associated with dietary deficiencies, pregnancy, or certain medications. 1. Folic Acid Deficiency – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Chronic diseases: Conditions like kidney disease, cancer, and chronic inflammation can interfere with red blood cell production. 1. Anemia of chronic disease Information | Mount Sinai – New York
www.mountsinai.org
Hemolytic anemia: A group of disorders where red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. 1. Hemolytic Anemia | NHLBI, NIH
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Inherited disorders: Conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are passed down genetically and affect red blood cell production or function. 1. Thalassemia – CDC
www.cdc.gov
Symptoms of Anemia
Fatigue 1. Iron deficiency anemia – Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org
Weakness 1. Anemia – Symptoms and Causes – Penn Medicine
www.pennmedicine.org
Shortness of breath 1. Iron-Deficiency Anemia | NHLBI, NIH
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Pale skin 1. Paleness: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
medlineplus.gov
Cold hands and feet 1. 5 symptoms of an iron deficiency – Piedmont Healthcare
www.piedmont.org
Dizziness or lightheadedness 1. Iron-Deficiency Anemia | NHLBI, NIH
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Rapid heartbeat 1. Anemia – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org
Difficulty concentrating 1. Anemia Information | Mount Sinai – New York
www.mountsinai.org
Note: These symptoms can vary depending on the severity of anemia.
1. Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments – WebMD
www.webmd.com
Diagnosis and Treatment
A blood test is typically used to diagnose anemia by measuring the levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause. It may involve:
1. Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments – WebMD
www.webmd.com
2. Anemia – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org
Dietary changes: Increasing iron, vitamin B12, or folate intake.
Supplements: Iron, vitamin B12, or folate supplements.
Medications: To treat underlying conditions or stimulate red blood cell production. 1. Medication for Myelodysplastic Syndromes – NYU Langone Health
nyulangone.org
Blood transfusions: In severe cases. 1. Anemia – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.org
If you suspect you may have anemia, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.