Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsSigns of Severe AnemiaEmergency TreatmentManagementNext in Anemia GuideWhat Are the Symptoms of Anemia?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Signs of Severe Anemia
Emergency Treatment
Management
Next in Anemia Guide
Anemiais defined as having a lower than normal red blood cell (RBC) count, size, or function. It is not an uncommon problem, and it can usually be treated.
Your RBCs containhemoglobin, an iron-containing protein that carries oxygen throughout your body. When you don’t have enough of these cells, or when they’re not functioning as they should, you can feel low in energy, and you may also have other symptoms, such as feeling cold all the time, headaches, and dizziness.
Usually, anemia develops gradually, and people sometimes get used to the effects until the symptoms suddenly get substantially worse. This article explains the causes, symptoms, and management of anemia.
Common Causes of Anemia
There are many differentcauses of anemia. It usually develops due to a deficiency in producing RBCs or excess RBC loss.
The most common causes of anemia are nutritional deficiencies, which can involvelow vitamin B12,iron deficiency, or insufficient protein.
Causes of anemia include:
Some of these conditions, like traumatic blood loss, cause sudden and severe anemia. For example, some types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer, may worsen rapidly, leading to an abrupt onset of anemia. In contrast, lead toxicity or liver disease can progress slowly, leading to a gradual progression of anemia.
Who’s at Risk for Anemia?Anemia can affect anyone, but it is more common with advancing age, chronic medical illness, or during pregnancy.
Who’s at Risk for Anemia?
Anemia can affect anyone, but it is more common with advancing age, chronic medical illness, or during pregnancy.
The Different Types of Anemia
Anemia Symptoms: How Can You Tell?
While there are many different causes of anemia, the effects and symptoms of anemia are generally the same regardless of the cause.
Common symptoms of anemia include:
Associated symptoms may include:
These symptoms can help in the diagnostic process. If you already have a known medical condition, your healthcare provider may tell you to look out for these signs, which can indicate a worsening of the underlying disease.
When to See a Healthcare Provider for Anemia SymptomsIt is never safe to leave anemia untreated. If you develop any signs of anemia, such as pale skin, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue, you should make an appointment to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Blood tests can helpidentify whether you have anemia and its cause.Blood tests for anemia include:Complete blood count (CBC)Blood smearIron testsFurther tests may be done to look for the underlying cause.
When to See a Healthcare Provider for Anemia Symptoms
It is never safe to leave anemia untreated. If you develop any signs of anemia, such as pale skin, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue, you should make an appointment to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Blood tests can helpidentify whether you have anemia and its cause.Blood tests for anemia include:Complete blood count (CBC)Blood smearIron testsFurther tests may be done to look for the underlying cause.
It is never safe to leave anemia untreated. If you develop any signs of anemia, such as pale skin, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue, you should make an appointment to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Blood tests can helpidentify whether you have anemia and its cause.
Blood tests for anemia include:
Further tests may be done to look for the underlying cause.
Anemia can range in severity. Even mild anemia requires treatment, but severe anemia can be a medical emergency. You could develop an acute form of anemia, or a chronic form can suddenly worsen.
The effects of severe anemia can be obvious and may include extreme dizziness or loss of consciousness. Sometimes severe anemia can also lead to substantial danger to your health, such as heart failure or oxygen deprivation to the brain or other organs.
If you develop any of these signs or symptoms, immediately get emergency medical attention.
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic form of anemia, you should have a plan of action to know what to do if your symptoms worsen.This plan may entail calling your healthcare provider or seeking urgent care or emergency care if you become dizzy or have low blood pressure.
Emergency Anemia Treatment
Treatmentfor severe, acute anemia may involve ablood transfusion.This procedure replenishes blood from a cross-matched donor to prevent permanent organ damage or death. Intravenous (IV) fluids, electrolytes, and medications may also be needed to treat high or low blood pressure.Sometimes supplemental oxygen is necessary.
Replenishment ofironorvitamin B12may be administered so the body can make enough healthy red blood cells.Other treatments may be provided, depending on the causes of anemia. For example, an antiparasitic medication is used to treat malaria.
Daily Anemia Treatment and Management
Treating the underlying cause of anemia can improve your red blood cell count or function. Supplements of iron or vitamin B12 may be recommended if you have a deficiency, but they are not appropriate for all causes of anemia.It is important to have the cause diagnosed before self-treating with supplements.
Preventing anemia is mainly based on maintaining healthy, well-balanced nutrition. This means that you need to ensure that you are getting a variety of vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
If you eat a primarily plant-based diet (vegetarian or vegan), you may need supplements to avoid anemia, as such diets may lack enough vitamin B12.You should discuss recommendations for supplements with a healthcare provider.
If you go for recommended routine, yearly medical visits, you may have a complete blood count (CBC), which can quickly detect anemia so it can be diagnosed and treated.
If you have a chronic condition, such as sickle cell anemia, you may need maintenance treatment to avoid episodes of severe anemia.
Summary
Anemia is a low RBC count or abnormal RBCs that do not function properly. Some people are predisposed to anemia due to underlying health conditions. Anemia can also develop due to nutritional deficiencies or illnesses like cancer or infections.
The causes of anemia are very diverse, but the symptoms tend to be similar regardless of the cause. Common symptoms are fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. You should see a healthcare provider if you experience any anemia symptoms.
Severe, acute anemia may cause a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness. One of the first screening blood tests done to evaluate most medical conditions is a CBC. Treatment for anemia is usually effective. Depending on the cause of anemia, you may need a onetime treatment or continue consistent treatment for the long term.
How Can You Increase Your Red Blood Cells?
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Speckert M, Ramic L, Mitsakakis N, Bijelić V, Liebman M, Leung E.Severe iron deficiency anemia in the paediatric emergency department: a retrospective study.Paediatr Child Health.2022;28(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/pch/pxac095Napolitano JD.The physical examination to assess for anemia and hypovolemia.Med Clin North Am.2022;106(3):509-518. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.12.004Fritz CDL, Otegbeye EE, Zong X, et al.Red-flag signs and symptoms for earlier diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst.2023:djad068. doi:10.1093/jnci/djad068Park JY, Kang OJ, Lee YY, Kim YS.A prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of patient blood management program in patients with gynecologic cancer (KGOG 4011/PBM).Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2023:ijgc-2023-004403. doi:10.1136/ijgc-2023-004403American Academy of Family Physicians.Anemia.Rizzo G, Laganà AS, Rapisarda AM, et al.Vitamin B12 among vegetarians: status, assessment and supplementation.Nutrients. 2016;8(12):767. doi:10.3390/nu8120767
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Speckert M, Ramic L, Mitsakakis N, Bijelić V, Liebman M, Leung E.Severe iron deficiency anemia in the paediatric emergency department: a retrospective study.Paediatr Child Health.2022;28(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/pch/pxac095Napolitano JD.The physical examination to assess for anemia and hypovolemia.Med Clin North Am.2022;106(3):509-518. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.12.004Fritz CDL, Otegbeye EE, Zong X, et al.Red-flag signs and symptoms for earlier diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst.2023:djad068. doi:10.1093/jnci/djad068Park JY, Kang OJ, Lee YY, Kim YS.A prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of patient blood management program in patients with gynecologic cancer (KGOG 4011/PBM).Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2023:ijgc-2023-004403. doi:10.1136/ijgc-2023-004403American Academy of Family Physicians.Anemia.Rizzo G, Laganà AS, Rapisarda AM, et al.Vitamin B12 among vegetarians: status, assessment and supplementation.Nutrients. 2016;8(12):767. doi:10.3390/nu8120767
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Speckert M, Ramic L, Mitsakakis N, Bijelić V, Liebman M, Leung E.Severe iron deficiency anemia in the paediatric emergency department: a retrospective study.Paediatr Child Health.2022;28(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/pch/pxac095Napolitano JD.The physical examination to assess for anemia and hypovolemia.Med Clin North Am.2022;106(3):509-518. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.12.004Fritz CDL, Otegbeye EE, Zong X, et al.Red-flag signs and symptoms for earlier diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst.2023:djad068. doi:10.1093/jnci/djad068Park JY, Kang OJ, Lee YY, Kim YS.A prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of patient blood management program in patients with gynecologic cancer (KGOG 4011/PBM).Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2023:ijgc-2023-004403. doi:10.1136/ijgc-2023-004403American Academy of Family Physicians.Anemia.Rizzo G, Laganà AS, Rapisarda AM, et al.Vitamin B12 among vegetarians: status, assessment and supplementation.Nutrients. 2016;8(12):767. doi:10.3390/nu8120767
Speckert M, Ramic L, Mitsakakis N, Bijelić V, Liebman M, Leung E.Severe iron deficiency anemia in the paediatric emergency department: a retrospective study.Paediatr Child Health.2022;28(1):30-36. doi:10.1093/pch/pxac095
Napolitano JD.The physical examination to assess for anemia and hypovolemia.Med Clin North Am.2022;106(3):509-518. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2021.12.004
Fritz CDL, Otegbeye EE, Zong X, et al.Red-flag signs and symptoms for earlier diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst.2023:djad068. doi:10.1093/jnci/djad068
Park JY, Kang OJ, Lee YY, Kim YS.A prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of patient blood management program in patients with gynecologic cancer (KGOG 4011/PBM).Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2023:ijgc-2023-004403. doi:10.1136/ijgc-2023-004403
American Academy of Family Physicians.Anemia.
Rizzo G, Laganà AS, Rapisarda AM, et al.Vitamin B12 among vegetarians: status, assessment and supplementation.Nutrients. 2016;8(12):767. doi:10.3390/nu8120767
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