OverviewWhat is anemia?Anemia happens when you don’t have enough red blood cells or your red blood cells don’t work as they should. Your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Oxygen powers your cells and gives you energy. Without healthy red blood cells that do their job, your body doesn’t get the energy it needs to function. While some types of anemia are short-term and mild, others can last for a lifetime. Left untreated, anemia may be life-threatening. Show
How does anemia affect my body?When someone develops anemia, they’re said to be anemic, meaning they have symptoms of anemia, like being very tired or feeling cold all of the time. Anemia affects different people in different ways:
How common is this condition?Anemia is very common, affecting an estimated one-third of the global population and an estimated 3 million people in the United States. What are the types of anemia?There are many anemia types, each causing red blood cell levels to drop. Nutritional anemias
Inherited anemias
Anemias caused by abnormal red blood cells
Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of anemia?Fatigue — feeling too tired to manage your activities — is the most noticeable anemia symptom. Other symptoms may include:
What is the main cause of anemia?People may be born with certain types of anemia or develop anemia because they have certain chronic diseases. But poor diet causes iron-deficiency anemia, which is the most common form of anemia. Diagnosis and TestsHow do healthcare providers diagnose anemia?Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your symptoms. As anemia happens when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells, they’ll do blood tests to check on your red blood cells:
Management and TreatmentHow do healthcare providers treat anemia?First, your healthcare provider will determine if you have anemia caused by a poor diet or a more serious health problem. They may refer you to a hematologist, a healthcare provider who specializes in blood disorders. Here are some examples of common anemia treatments:
Providers may use medications like immunosuppressants or treatments like blood transfusions to treat anemias that happen when you have abnormal red blood cells, like aplastic anemia or hemolytic anemia. PreventionCan I prevent developing anemia?You can’t prevent some kinds of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia or aplastic anemia. People with chronic diseases who may develop anemia should watch for anemia symptoms. And you can prevent nutritional anemias by eating a healthy diet. Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have this condition?Your prognosis or expected outcome depends on why you have anemia, the type of anemia you have and whether you have a severe form of it. Most of the time, healthcare providers can treat anemia by helping you manage your diet or with medications. But there are times when you may be living with anemia for the rest of your life. What happens if anemia isn’t treated?People who have undiagnosed or untreated anemia may have life-threatening organ failure. Children who have severe anemia may have developmental delays. People in their 80s may develop heart conditions, including angina, arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. Living WithHow do I take care of myself?While some types of anemia are short-term and mild, others can last for a lifetime. There are several ways to help manage anemia, including:
When should I see my healthcare provider?If you have anemia, you should check with your provider if your symptoms get worse despite treatment or if you notice changes in your body that may be new symptoms of anemia. When should I go to the emergency room?Anemia may increase your risk of a heart attack. Call 911 if you have the following symptoms:
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?Anemia may affect your body in many ways. It may happen for many different reasons. If you’re concerned about developing anemia or you have anemia, here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Anemia happens when you don’t have enough red blood cells or your red blood cells aren’t working as well as they could. Some people are born with forms of anemia, but most people who have anemia develop the condition over time. That’s why it’s important to keep track of changes in your body. For example, we all have days when we feel worn out. But if you’re feeling very tired for several days despite getting rest, consider talking to your healthcare provider. Most of the time, anemia is a short-term issue easily treated by changing your diet or taking supplements. Untreated, anemia may cause serious medical issues. What is the difference between iron deficiency and pernicious anemia?Pernicious anemia, also called Biermer's disease, is less common than iron-deficiency anemia or sickle cell anemia. It's a type of vitamin B12 anemia because your body doesn't absorb enough vitamin B12 to make red blood cells. This means there isn't enough hemoglobin circulating, carrying oxygen throughout your body.
Is pernicious anemia another name for iron deficiency anemia?Iron-deficiency anemia. Pernicious (per-NISH-us) anemia.
Can you have iron deficiency anemia and pernicious anemia?Conclusion: Iron deficiency and microcytic anemia are not rare in patients with pernicious anemia and should not rule out the diagnosis.
What is the difference between B12 deficiency and iron deficiency?Well, it's because blood loss is one of the primary causes of Iron deficiency. And given B12 is required for the production of red blood cells, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to a deficiency in Iron. This is why the onset of anemia is often the result of a B12 deficiency rather than an Iron deficiency on its own.
|