Understanding Anemia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Anemia is one of the most common blood disorders worldwide, affecting millions of people of all ages. At its core, anemia means you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells—or enough hemoglobin—to carry oxygen efficiently throughout your body.

Common Symptoms of Anemia

Because anemia reduces the oxygen that tissues receive, symptoms can range from mild to significant:

• Fatigue or low energy

• Pale skin

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness or feeling faint

• Heart palpitations

• Headaches

• Cold hands and feet

Some people have no symptoms and only discover anemia through routine blood work.

What Causes Anemia?

1. Iron Deficiency: The most common cause. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Iron deficiency can result from low dietary intake, heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy, or chronic blood loss from the digestive tract.

2. Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency: These vitamins help make red blood cells. Low levels may occur with dietary restrictions, autoimmune conditions (like pernicious anemia), or gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease.

3. Chronic Diseases: Conditions like kidney disease, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and chronic infections can interfere with red blood cell production.

4. Blood Loss: From surgery, injury, ulcers, colon polyps, or heavy menstruation.

5. Bone Marrow Disorders: Rare, but include conditions like aplastic anemia and leukemia.

How Doctors Diagnose Anemia

Diagnosis usually begins with a CBC. Additional labs might include iron studies, B12 and folate levels, kidney function tests, and sometimes a stool test for blood.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause:

• Iron deficiency: Iron supplements or iron infusions, plus identifying the source of blood loss.

• Vitamin deficiency: B12 injections or oral supplementation, folic acid supplements.

• Chronic disease: Treating the underlying condition.

• Severe anemia: Rarely, blood transfusion is needed.