MAIN Health Diseases & Conditions Anemia

Anemia, sometimes refered to as "iron poor blood" is a condition characterized by an abnormally low number of healthy red blood cells, usually caused by a lack of dietary iron.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the different organs and tissues. An inability to carry much-needed oxygen throughout the body is debilatating to the entire system and typically results in a constant state of fatigue.

The severity of anemia can be anywhere from quite mild to severe depending on the cause.

Anemia symptoms

While fatigue is the primary symptom of anemia, there may be a whole number of related symptoms including dizziness, headaches, and diminished mental capacity.

Symptoms may also affect the chest and heart, such as a quickened, erratic heartbeat or chest pain, or result in shortness of breath, pale skin, weakness, and even reduced functioning of the extremities, where red blood cells have to travel the farthest to supply oxygen.

Types of anemia

The most common kind of anemia is caused by iron deficiency. This type of anemia affects roughly twenty percent of women in the United States, and a full half of pregnant women, but only three percent of men. There are many other causes of anemia however, all of which vary in the severity of symptoms and the method of treatment. To properly diagnose anemia, a doctor should be consulted.

Treating anemia

Treating anemia depends largely on the cause. Anemia caused by iron deficiency, for example, is easily treated with iron supplements. Other forms of anemia such as those caused by ulcers, colon polyps, colon cancer or genetic disorders, may need more serious treatment such as blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants, while some more severe types of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, are incurable.

Preventing anemia is not always possible, but milder forms are usually avoided simply by maintaining a healthy diet rich in iron, and copper (another important component of hemoglobin) and vitamins such as B-12, and folic acid.

More about anemia around the Web:

Anemia - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Anemia.org

also see -> Children's Health | Pregnancy

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.