We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells circulating in the body decreases.
It is the most common blood disorder. In this article, we explain the types, symptoms, and causes of anemia, as well as the treatments available. The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue. Other common symptoms include:.
The body needs RBCs to survive. They transport hemoglobin, a complex protein that attaches to iron molecules. These molecules carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. There are many types of anemia and no single cause. In some people, it can be difficult to identify what is causing a low low RBC count. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, and blood loss is often the cause.
A shortage of iron in the blood leads to this form of the condition, and low iron levels frequently occur as a result of blood loss. When the body loses blood, it draws water from tissues beyond the bloodstream to help keep the blood vessels full.
This additional water dilutes the blood, reducing the RBC count. Blood loss can be acute and rapid or chronic. Some causes of rapid blood loss include surgery, childbirth, and trauma. Chronic blood loss is more often responsible for anemia. It can result from a stomach ulcer, cancer , or another type of tumor. Bone marrow is soft, spongy tissue at the center of bones, and it plays an essential role in creating RBCs.
The marrow produces stem cells , which develop into RBCs, white blood cells, and platelets. A number of diseases can affect bone marrow, including leukemia. This is a type of cancer that triggers the production of excessive and abnormal white blood cells, disrupting the production of RBCs. Problems with bone marrow can cause anemia. The most common cause, especially in women, is iron deficiency.
You can also become iron deficient from not eating enough iron—this is very common in pregnant women because they have to eat enough iron for two. You may have no symptoms at first, or very mild ones. However, as anemia gets worse some telltale signs become apparent. Here are the most common ones. The most common symptom of iron-deficiency anemia is fatigue. Without energy, you continually feel tired and weak throughout the day and it can be difficult to complete your daily tasks.
People who are anemic may develop a syndrome called pica, which causes strange cravings for non-food items such as dirt, ice or clay. There are some theories as to why iron deficiency leads to pica, but the true cause is unclear. Research shows that the cravings seem to go away when patients receive iron supplements. Headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness can all be symptoms of anemia caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. For some people, this may even lead to fainting.
Heart palpitations, an irregular heartbeat or an increased heart rate can be signs that your body is attempting to compensate for its lack of energy. By circulating blood faster your body is trying to spread around the small amounts of available hemoglobin in order to deliver more oxygen.
When your organs do not get enough oxygen your lungs may start to overcompensate and work harder to bring in more oxygen. People who suffer chronic diseases like ulcers, or people who have recently undergone surgery, may also become anemic. People with African ancestry are especially susceptible to sickle cell anemia, in which the red blood cells are curved like sickles. With anemia, the lungs overcompensate in order to bring in more oxygen, causing breathing difficulties.
Low levels of hemoglobin prevent adequate oxygen from reaching the brain. Blood vessels swell, blood pressure drops, and it can result in headaches, neurological issues, and vertigo. A rapid heartbeat and palpitations along with feelings of anxiety due to a deprived sympathetic nervous system may be connected to a lack of oxygen in the blood. A consistently rapid heart rate is not good for your heart or for the rest of your body. This puts a lot of pressure on the heart, which can cause it to beat faster, irregularly, and experience pain.
Untreated anemia can exacerbate underlying cardiovascular issues. Extreme cases can lead to an enlarged heart, heart murmurs, or even heart failure. Anemia sufferers often experience cold hands and feet even in warm weather because of poor circulation. Less blood is delivered to the limbs, leaving them feeling cold.
The large leg muscles require a lot of blood and oxygen to function. Oxygen deprivation causes them to work overtime and cause fatigue , weakness, severe cramps, and restless leg syndrome RLS , which may contribute to insomnia. Anemic patients may feel a crawling or itchy sensation in the feet and legs, which can worsen at night.
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