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. Aplastic anemia, for example, occurs when few or no stem cells are present in the marrow.
In some cases, anemia results when RBCs do not grow and mature as usual, as with thalassemia — a hereditary form of anemia. Your GP may carry out repeat blood tests over the next few months to check that your iron level is getting back to normal.
Keep iron supplement tablets out of the reach of children. An overdose of iron in a young child can be fatal. If your diet is partly causing your iron deficiency anaemia, your GP will tell you what foods are rich in iron so you can eat more of them.
Large amounts of these foods and drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron. You might be referred to a specialist dietitian if you're finding it hard to include iron in your diet. In pregnancy, iron deficiency anaemia is most often caused by a lack of iron in your diet. Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia.
Heavy periods can be treated with medicine. For men and for women whose periods have stopped, bleeding in the stomach and intestines is the most common cause of iron deficiency anaemia. In extreme cases, it can lead to an enlarged heart , a heart murmur , or heart failure 12 , In cases of iron deficiency, the heart has to work extra hard to transport oxygen around the body. If left untreated, this can lead to irregular or fast heartbeats and even heart murmurs, an enlarged heart, or heart failure.
Dry and damaged skin and hair can be signs of iron deficiency Iron deficiency lowers the level of hemoglobin in the blood, which may reduce the amount of oxygen available to cells that cause hair growth Iron deficiency is also associated with hair loss , and some research suggests it could be a cause 16 , Skin and hair may receive less oxygen from the blood during iron deficiency, causing them to become dry and damaged.
In more severe cases, this may lead to hair loss. Sometimes just looking inside or around your mouth can indicate whether you have iron deficiency anemia. Signs include a swollen, inflamed, pale, or strangely smooth tongue Iron deficiency may also cause other symptoms around your mouth , such as 19 :. A sore, swollen, or strangely smooth tongue can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia.
Cracks on the corners of your mouth may also be a sign. Iron deficiency has been linked to restless legs syndrome It can also cause unpleasant and strange crawling or itchy sensations in your feet and legs. The prevalence of restless legs syndrome is nine times higher in people with iron deficiency compared to the general population People with iron deficiency anemia have a higher chance of experiencing restless legs syndrome, which is a strong urge to move the legs when at rest.
A much less common symptom of iron deficiency is brittle or spoon-shaped fingernails. This condition is called koilonychia Usually, the first sign is brittle nails that chip and crack easily. In later stages of iron deficiency, spoon-shaped nails can occur, meaning the middle of the nail dips and the edges are raised to give a rounded appearance like a spoon. There are several other signs that your iron could be low.
These tend to be less common and can be linked to many conditions other than iron deficiency. Other more generic signs of iron deficiency may include strange food cravings, feelings of depression, cold hands and feet, and more frequent infections. Iron deficiency can be caused by a variety of factors and can happen at almost any age. A few of the most common causes are 5 :. Bleeding in the stomach or intestines can be a common reason for anemia in adults who are no longer menstruating.
This bleeding can be caused by 27 :. Your doctor will likely recommend increasing your intake of iron through your diet or with iron supplements 2. If your doctor thinks your iron deficiency may be caused by a lack of iron in your diet, think about consuming more iron-rich foods , such as:. Keep in mind that taking iron supplements may cause some side effects , including:.
However, you can minimize these side effects by taking specific types of iron supplements that may reduce negative effects, such as iron bisglycinate chelate If you want to get the most out of your iron supplement, try to avoid taking it along with antacids or milk, as these can limit iron absorption.
If you think you have an iron deficiency, talk with a doctor. They may recommend that you consume more iron-rich foods plus vitamin C to increase your iron absorption or possibly take iron supplements. Talk with a doctor if you have symptoms of iron deficiency. If left untreated, it can develop into iron deficiency anemia. This could eventually result in complications, including:. Iron deficiency anemia is more common in women than in men People who are pregnant or have heavy menstrual periods have the highest risk and should talk with a doctor about being tested for iron deficiency anemia.
Take iron supplements only if your doctor prescribes them.
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