What Is Anemia? What Are the Symptoms?

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which the mass of red blood cells or the concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood is reduced. A decrease in the blood's capacity to carry oxygen, due to low levels of hemoglobin, the substance that gives blood its color and carries oxygen to the cells, is the main cause of the symptoms of anemia.

Oxygen is delivered to all organs of the body through blood cells. Because the organs cannot receive enough oxygen to perform their functions, these symptoms appear.

What Are the Symptoms of Anemia?

The main symptoms of anemia are:

Dizziness, headache

Fatigue or weakness

Shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain, getting tired quickly

Feeling cold, pale and dry skin, itching

Loss of appetite

Cracks at the corners of the lips

Impaired concentration

Involuntary movements of the lower legs (restless legs syndrome)

What Are the Causes of Anemia?

Losing too much blood

Women with heavy menstrual bleeding are in particular at risk. Conditions that cause stomach and intestinal bleeding, such as ulcers that cause bleeding in the body, or other problems can also pave the way for anemia.

Insufficient production of red blood cells

The vitamins and minerals the body needs to produce red blood cells are obtained through a balanced diet. Previous stomach and intestinal surgeries, intestinal absorption disorders and an incomplete diet can lead to deficiencies of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin C, which may result in anemia.

On the other hand, pregnant women need to produce more red blood cells. Therefore, the rate of anemia increases during pregnancy.

In some cases, conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes and cancer can prevent the production of red blood cells.

Destruction of red blood cells

The lifespan of red blood cells is 4 months. For this reason, the production of new cells must continue. However, disorders such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, as well as chemotherapy, can cause blood cells to die before their time. This also paves the way for anemia.

What Are the Types of Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia

Anemia due to vitamin deficiency (vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin B6 deficiencies)

Anemia of chronic disease (kidney and liver diseases, rheumatic diseases, diabetes)

Aplastic anemia

Anemias due to bone marrow disease (leukemias and other cancers that affect the bone marrow)

Hemolytic anemias

Sickle cell anemia

Thalassemias

How Is Anemia Diagnosed?

A complete blood count is sufficient to detect anemia, but anemia is not a diagnosis; it is a finding. What matters is identifying the problem that causes the anemia. Some tests are necessary to investigate the underlying causes.

A patient who consults a hematology specialist with the above complaints first undergoes a physical examination. Then, the hemoglobin concentration and the number of red blood cells are measured through a blood test. A peripheral blood smear should be examined in all patients presenting with anemia. To evaluate possible anemia of chronic disease, kidney and liver tests, blood sugar level, vitamin levels such as B12 and folic acid, stored iron levels such as ferritin, and thyroid hormone levels are checked. Some tests related to blood cell destruction may also be performed.

When deemed necessary, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy may be performed. For this, usually a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) is drawn from the hip bones and a sample of solid bone marrow tissue (biopsy) is taken. Detailed information about the size and maturity of the blood cells is gathered from the resulting pathological examination.

How Is Anemia Treated?

The main goal of anemia treatment is to eliminate the condition causing it. The most appropriate treatment method is decided by taking the following factors into account.

Your age, general health and medical history

The severity of the anemia

The type of anemia

The cause of the anemia

Your tolerance to certain medications

Expectations regarding the course of the anemia

If the anemia is caused by iron and folic acid deficiency, consumption of mainly green vegetables and fruits is recommended under physician advice. Depending on the level of anemia, oral or intravenous medication treatments are arranged. In cases of severe anemia, a blood transfusion may also be performed. If the anemia is caused by blood loss, the bleeding must be located and stopped.

In anemias caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, an appropriate diet and vitamin supplementation by mouth or by injection are given.

In cases of hereditary anemia, a blood transfusion may be given when needed, or a bone marrow transplant from a donor may be planned if indicated.

Is It Possible to Prevent Anemia?

Anemia, especially that caused by iron and vitamin deficiency, can be prevented through a good diet. On the advice of a specialist physician, consuming foods that contain iron and vitamin B12, as well as foods rich in vitamin C to aid absorption, may be preferred.

On the other hand, drinking plenty of water is also recommended. Research indicates that adequate water intake helps keep hemoglobin levels high.