Learn About Anemia

What is the definition of Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues.

Different types of anemia include:

  • Anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Anemia due to folate (folic acid) deficiency
  • Anemia due to iron deficiency
  • Anemia of chronic disease
  • Hemolytic anemia
  • Idiopathic aplastic anemia
  • Megaloblastic anemia
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Thalassemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia.

What are the causes of Anemia?

Although many parts of the body help make red blood cells, most of the work is done in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells.

Healthy red blood cells last between 90 and 120 days. Parts of your body then remove old blood cells. A hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) made in your kidneys signals your bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. It gives red blood cells their color. People with anemia do not have enough hemoglobin.

The body needs certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to make enough red blood cells. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are three of the most important ones. The body may not have enough of these nutrients due to:

  • Changes in the lining of the stomach or intestines that affect how well nutrients are absorbed (for example, celiac disease)
  • Poor diet
  • Surgery that removes part of the stomach or intestines

Possible causes of anemia include:

  • Iron deficiency
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Folate deficiency
  • Certain medicines
  • Destruction of red blood cells earlier than normal (which may be caused by immune system problems)
  • Long-term (chronic) diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cancer, ulcerative colitis, or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Some forms of anemia, such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, which can be inherited
  • Pregnancy
  • Problems with bone marrow such as lymphoma, leukemia, myelodysplasia, multiple myeloma, or aplastic anemia
  • Slow blood loss (for example, from heavy menstrual periods or stomach ulcers)
  • Sudden heavy blood loss
What are the different types of Anemia?
What are the symptoms of Anemia?

You may have no symptoms if the anemia is mild or if the problem develops slowly. Symptoms that may occur first include:

  • Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise
  • Headaches
  • Problems concentrating or thinking
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Numbness and tingling of hands and feet

If the anemia gets worse, symptoms may include:

  • Blue color to the whites of the eyes
  • Brittle nails
  • Desire to eat ice or other non-food things (pica syndrome)
  • Lightheadedness when you stand up
  • Pale skin color
  • Shortness of breath with mild activity or even at rest
  • Sore or inflamed tongue
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Abnormal or increased menstrual bleeding
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What are the current treatments for Anemia?

Treatment should be directed at the cause of the anemia, and may include:

  • Blood transfusions
  • Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system
  • Erythropoietin, a medicine that helps your bone marrow make more blood cells
  • Supplements of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, or other vitamins and minerals
Who are the top Anemia Local Doctors?
Family Medicine
Family Medicine

Nature Coast Geriatric Services LLC

3400 N Lecanto Hwy, C, 
Beverly Hills, FL 
 1.0 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Hasibul Khan is a Family Medicine provider in Beverly Hills, Florida. Dr. Khan and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Familial Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Khan is currently accepting new patients.

Oncology | Hematology
Oncology | Hematology

Florida Cancer Specialists And Research Institute, LLC

521 N Lecanto Hwy, Florida Cancer Specialists, 
Lecanto, FL 
 3.8 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Sunil Gandhi is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Lecanto, Florida. Dr. Gandhi has been practicing medicine for over 43 years and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Anemia, Lung Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Gandhi is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

West Florida Medical Associates P A

3775 N Lecanto Hwy, 
Beverly Hills, FL 
 0.6 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Bhadresh Patel is an Internal Medicine provider in Beverly Hills, Florida. Dr. Patel and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Hypertensive Heart Disease, Tracheitis, Necrosis, and Peptic Ulcer. Dr. Patel is currently accepting new patients.

What are the possible complications of Anemia?

Severe anemia can cause low oxygen levels in vital organs such as the heart, and can lead to heart failure.

When should I contact a medical professional for Anemia?

Contact your provider if you have any symptoms of anemia or unusual bleeding.

What are the latest Anemia Clinical Trials?
Incomplete Follow Up After Positive FIT or Stool DNA Testing: A Multimethod Approach

Summary: This study seeks to determine whether a patient navigator can help improve follow up care after a stool test shows the presence of blood or other abnormal markers.

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Targeting Strategies of Antenatal Balanced Energy and Protein Supplementation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Summary: The goal of this randomized effectiveness study is to evaluate the different targeting strategies for the delivery of balanced energy and protein (BEP) supplements among pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The main goals of the study are to: 1) determine the effectiveness of two individual-based antenatal BEP targeting strategies for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes; 2) compare the cost-...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 12-17-2024.

What are the references for this article ?

Elghetany MT, Banki K. Erythrocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 33.

Lin JC, Benz Jr. EJ. Approach to anemia in the adult and child. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 35.

Means Jr. RT. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 144.