In the preliminary stages, mild form of anemia has no symptoms. However, when the condition progresses, then the individuals experience the following:

• Poor concentration
• Feeling tired more often than usual
• Occurrence of headaches
• Chest pain
• Hands and feet become cold
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular or fast heartbeat
• Dizziness 
• Development of pale skin

In more severe cases, individuals would also develop lightheadedness especially when they stand up, development of bluish color in the eyes; nails become brittle and sore tongue [6].

• Anemia

  Such types include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and aplastic anemia. Anemia that results from aortic rupture has a very poor prognosis with about 80% mortality rate. [symptoma.com]

  Macrocytic anemia (MCV>100) Normocytic anemia (80<MCV<100) Microcytic anemia (MCV<80) * For instance, sickle cell anemia with superimposed iron deficiency; chronic gastric bleeding with B12 and folate deficiency; and other instances of anemia with more [en.wikipedia.org]

  If red blood cells are larger than normal, then it is called macrocytic anemia. Major causes of this type are pernicious anemia and anemia related to alcoholism. Anemia Causes Many medical conditions cause anemia. [emedicinehealth.com]

  […] being treated for anemia. 3 Other estimates of anemia prevalence in large CKD cohorts have ranged from 47% to 78%. 10,33 Anemia has been found to increase as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines, with anemia prevalences of 27% at GFR >60 mL/ [ajmc.com]

  […] the different causes of anemia: Anemia due to disrupted production Anemia due to increased erythrocyte depletion Anemia due to loss of erythrocytes Anemia due to distribution problems 3 Clinical relevance The clinical presentation of anemia depends on [flexikon.doccheck.com]

• Fatigue

  Symptoms common to many types of anemia include the following: Easy fatigue and loss of energy Unusually rapid heart beat, particularly with exercise Shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise Difficulty concentrating Dizziness Pale [webmd.com]

  — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "Large genetic study finds first genes connected with ADHD," 27 Nov. 2018 Other common anemia symptoms include weakness, fatigue, an irregular heartbeat, paler skin, chest pain, and headaches. — Carolyn L. [merriam-webster.com]

  Here are other possible medical causes of fatigue. [rd.com]

  The Vitality and Physical functioning domains of the SF-36 and the FACT-An Total, Fatigue and Anemia subscales were identified as domains relevant to CKD-associated anemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  You can feel fatigued, very weak going up and down the stairs, sometimes short of breath, skin discoloration, upper quadrant pain,” said Dr. Ramirez. [youtube.com]

• Weakness

  This may make you feel tired and weak. Anemia can last a short time or be a long-term condition. Your symptoms can vary greatly depending on the type of anemia you have. [umiamihealth.org]

  You can feel fatigued, very weak going up and down the stairs, sometimes short of breath, skin discoloration, upper quadrant pain,” said Dr. Ramirez. [youtube.com]

  Symptoms Individuals with anemia suffer from fatigue, weakness, headache, and lightheadedness, pale color of the skin, brittle nails and concentration problems. [symptoma.com]

  Symptoms of anemia may include the following: Fatigue weakness shortness of breath lightheadedness palpitations (feeling of the heart racing or beating irregularly) looking pale Symptoms of severe anemia may include: chest pain, angina, or heart attack [web.archive.org]

  (Grade: weak recommendation; low-quality evidence) ACP recommends against the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients with mild to moderate anemia and congestive heart failure or coronary heart disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Pallor

  Pallor has poor sensitivity for predicting mild anemia, but correlates well with severe anemia. 11 – 13 One study showed that physical examination findings of pallor of the conjunctivae, tongue, palm, or nail beds is 93 percent sensitive and 57 percent [aafp.org]

  She had severe pallor and multiple echymotic patches over the lower limbs. She was diagnosed with SLE with pernicious anemia and iron deficiency anemia. The rare association of SLE with pernicious anemia was reported previously in few patients. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Collins World English Dictionary anaemia or ( US ) anemia (əˈniːmɪə) — n 1. a deficiency in the number of red blood cells or in their haemoglobin content, resulting in pallor, shortness of breath, and lack of energy 2. lack of vitality or vigour 3. pallid [web.archive.org]

  Signs and symptoms of anemia may include pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, shortness of breath, palpitations of the heart, soft systolic murmurs, lethargy, and fatigability. [fpnotebook.com]

• Weight Loss

  Researchers ... read more Long-Term Follow-Up After Weight-Loss Surgery Finds High Rate of Anemia Sep. 20, 2017 — Researchers found a high rate of anemia 10 years after patients received Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, suggesting that long-term follow-up with [sciencedaily.com]

  Loss of Appetite/Weight Loss Co-existing Conditions Pernicious Anaemia is an Autoimmune Disease. Autoimmune Diseases are characterised by the body somehow attempting to destroy itself. [pernicious-anaemia-society.org]

  People who have had gastric bypass surgery for weight loss or other reasons may also be iron deficient due to poor absorption. [hematology.org]

  Have celiac disease or Crohn's disease, or have had weight loss surgery where the stomach or part of the stomach has been removed Women are more likely to get iron-deficiency anemia in pregnancy if they: Have 2 pregnancies close together Are pregnant [stanfordchildrens.org]

• Dyspnea

  Shortness of breath Other names Dyspnea, dyspnoea, breathlessness, difficulty of breathing, respiratory distress Pronunciation Dyspnea: /dɪspˈniːə/ Specialty Pulmonology Shortness of breath (SOB), also known as dyspnea, is a feeling of not being able [en.wikipedia.org]

  호흡곤란 동의어 Shortness of breath, Dyspnea, dyspnoea, shortness of breath (SOB), breathlessness, difficulty of breathing, respiratory distress 진료과 호흡기내과 호흡곤란(呼吸困難, dyspnea) 또는 호흡장애(呼吸障礙)는 숨쉬기 어려운 느낌을 말한다. [ko.wikipedia.org]

  Acute anemia presents with symptoms owing to acute blood loss; chronic anemia may present with worsening fatigue, dyspnea, lightheadedness, or chest pain. Specific treatments depend on the underlying anemia and etiology. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  They are called the general symptoms of anemia : Fatigue Reduced performance Tiredness Headache Exertional dyspnea Tachycardia Dizziness 4 Diagnosis The basis of diagnosing anemia is the differential blood count that includes the red blood cell indices [flexikon.doccheck.com]

  […] toddlerhood 2 Iron deficiency Inadequate dietary intake, chronic occult blood loss (excessive cow's milk consumption, inflammatory bowel disease, Meckel diverticulum, parasites) Usually asymptomatic; severe cases can present with fatigue, pallor, or dyspnea [aafp.org]

• Exertional Dyspnea

  They are called the general symptoms of anemia : Fatigue Reduced performance Tiredness Headache Exertional dyspnea Tachycardia Dizziness 4 Diagnosis The basis of diagnosing anemia is the differential blood count that includes the red blood cell indices [flexikon.doccheck.com]

  Clinical features, if present, are mostly nonspecific and may include fatigue, dyspnea, conjunctival pallor, and tachycardia. [amboss.com]

  Distinct sensations include effort/work, chest tightness, and air hunger (the feeling of not enough oxygen).[1] Dyspnea is a normal symptom of heavy exertion but becomes pathological if it occurs in unexpected situations[2] or light exertion. [en.wikipedia.org]

• Abdominal Pain

  Sudden Red Blood Cell Destruction Symptoms of anemia caused by sudden red blood cell destruction may include: Abdominal pain Brown or red urine Jaundice (yellow skin) Small bruises under the skin Seizures Symptoms of kidney failure Continued Call Your [webmd.com]

  Extremely large spleens cause abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food. Often, an enlarged spleen also traps platelets and white blood cells, thus reducing their number in the bloodstream. [msdmanuals.com]

  You may have stomach pain or abdominal cramping with your bowel movements. You may have pain in your rectum or anal region when you are passing a bowel movement (defecating), if you have hemmorhoids that may be bleeding. [chemocare.com]

• Loss of Appetite

  Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Nausea and vomiting and loss of appetite may cause a lack of nutrients. The body needs these nutrients to make red blood cells. These include iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Excessive bleeding. [cancer.net]

  Symptoms that may occur first include: Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise Headaches Problems concentrating or thinking Irritability Loss of appetite Numbness and tingling of hands and feet If the anemia gets worse, symptoms [medlineplus.gov]

• Palpitations

  Symptoms of anemia may include the following: Fatigue weakness shortness of breath lightheadedness palpitations (feeling of the heart racing or beating irregularly) looking pale Symptoms of severe anemia may include: chest pain, angina, or heart attack [web.archive.org]

  Severe anemia may lead to shortness of breath, pale complexion, dry nails, palpitations etc. Children with anaemia, like adults, may appear pale, tired and short of breath. [news-medical.net]

  Patients with anemia may feel tired, fatigue easily, appear pale, develop palpitations, and become short of breath. Children with chronic anemia are prone to infections and learning problems. [rxlist.com]

  You have an irregular heartbeat/heart palpitations Romaset/Shutterstock Heart palpitations, or noticeable heartbeats, are another sign of iron deficiency anemia. [rd.com]

  Signs and symptoms of anemia may include pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, shortness of breath, palpitations of the heart, soft systolic murmurs, lethargy, and fatigability. [fpnotebook.com]

• Tachycardia

  […] collapse, pallor, sweating, tachycardia and arterial hypotension can develop, and the patient's life can be in danger. [cun.es]

  They are called the general symptoms of anemia : Fatigue Reduced performance Tiredness Headache Exertional dyspnea Tachycardia Dizziness 4 Diagnosis The basis of diagnosing anemia is the differential blood count that includes the red blood cell indices [flexikon.doccheck.com]

  Anemia may be suspected on a complete medical history and physical examination of your child, such as complaints of tiring easily, pale skin and lips, shortness of breath, or a fast heartbeat (tachycardia). [stanfordchildrens.org]

  Iron-deficiency anemia may be suspected from general findings on a complete medical history and physical examination, such as complaints of tiring easily, abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin, or a fast heartbeat (tachycardia). [hopkinsmedicine.org]

  Neonates are generally pale and, if anemia is severe, have tachypnea, tachycardia, and sometimes a flow murmur; hypotension is present with acute blood loss. Jaundice may be present with hemolysis. [merckmanuals.com]

• Hypotension

  HBO was discontinued in the survivors when they no longer suffered from hypoxic sprue, postural hypotension, and usually when the Hct was 22% or greater and the Hb was 7 g/dl or greater. [archive.rubicon-foundation.org]

  Neonates are generally pale and, if anemia is severe, have tachypnea, tachycardia, and sometimes a flow murmur; hypotension is present with acute blood loss. Jaundice may be present with hemolysis. [merckmanuals.com]

  Fragility of hair and/or nails When anemia sets in very suddenly, as in acute hemorrhages, the symptoms depend mainly on the loss of blood volume inside the vessels and different degrees of vascular collapse, pallor, sweating, tachycardia and arterial hypotension [cun.es]

• Heart Murmur

  […] the anemia is due to blood loss through the gastrointestinal tract. rapid heart rate low blood pressure rapid breathing pale or cold skin yellow skin called jaundice if anemia is due to red blood cell breakdown heart murmur enlargement of the spleen [web.archive.org]

  Heart murmur The symptoms of hemolytic anemia may look like other blood conditions or health problems. [hopkinsmedicine.org]

  murmur Low blood pressure, especially when you stand up Slight fever Pale skin Rapid heart rate Some types of anemia may cause other findings on a physical exam. [medlineplus.gov]

• Narrow Pulse Pressure

  Hepatosplenomegaly Paravertebral mass Widening of diploic spaces of the skull Tachycardia and narrowed pulse pressure are the first signs of hemodynamically relevant blood loss. [5] Diagnostics Blood for further tests (e.g., iron studies, vitamin B12, [amboss.com]

  Class III (30-40% blood loss) always leads to a measurable decrease in blood pressure as well as significant tachycardia and a narrow pulse pressure. Class IV (≥40% blood loss) leads to patient demise unless prompt resuscitative measures are taken. [emedicine.com]

• Restless Legs Syndrome

  Treatment of restless legs syndrome in adults. Wolters Kluwer Health. 2014; 30. Scholz H, Trenkwalder C, Kohnen R, Riemann D, Kriston L, Hornyak M. Dopamine agonists for restless legs syndrome. [doi.org]

  leg syndrome When kids eat non-foods: Children with anemia caused by very low levels of iron in their blood may also eat strange non-food things such as ice, dirt, clay, paper, cardboard, and cornstarch. [healthychildren.org]

  legs syndrome Some cases of restless legs syndrome are thought to be caused by iron deficiency anaemia. [nhsinform.scot]

  legs syndrome Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you have symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia A simple blood test will confirm if you have iron deficiency anaemia. [nhs.uk]

  In adults, ID is associated with fatigue in the absence of anemia, restless legs syndrome, pica and, in neonates, delayed growth and development. In adolescents, ID is associated with decrements in learning and behavioral abnormalities. [dx.doi.org]

• Conjunctival Pallor

  Clinical features, if present, are mostly nonspecific and may include fatigue, dyspnea, conjunctival pallor, and tachycardia. [amboss.com]

• Tinnitus

  Tinnitus This is extremely common in patients with PA and is probably due to slight nerve damage to the brain. Sensory Impairment Loss of smell, taste, touch Irritability/Frustration/Impatience A general feeling of unease. [pernicious-anaemia-society.org]

  […] heart palpitations) pale skin Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia (that are not usually connected to pregnancy) include: headaches hearing ringing, buzzing or hissing noises inside your head (tinnitus [nhs.uk]

  Pounding or “whooshing” sound in your ear (pulsatile tinnitus): This is a swooshing sound in one of your ears that may come and go. Headache: Iron-deficiency anemia and anemias caused by low hemoglobin may cause headaches. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  […] include: tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy) shortness of breath noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations) a pale complexion Less common symptoms include: headache hearing sounds that come from inside the body, rather than from an outside source (tinnitus [nhsinform.scot]

• Dry, Brittle Hair

  /Nail Changes Due to decreased blood flow, water retention, and slowed processes (for example, hair regrowth), the following skin, hair, and nail changes are seen in hypothyroidism: Pale, cool, and thick or "doughy" skin Dry, brittle hair, and hair loss [verywell.com]

• Amenorrhea

  […] rate (tachycardia) Breathlessness, or difficulty catching a breath (dyspnea) Lack of energy, or tiring easily (fatigue) Dizziness, or vertigo especially when standing Headache Irritability Irregular menstruation cycles Absent or delayed menstruation (amenorrhea [chop.edu]

  […] rate (tachycardia) Breathlessness, or difficulty catching a breath (dyspnea) Lack of energy, or tiring easily (fatigue) Dizziness, or vertigo, especially when standing Headache Irritability Irregular menstruation cycles Absent or delayed menstruation (amenorrhea [stanfordchildrens.org]

  Children 0-5 years and women % children % children % children % people following BCC messages to prevent and treat infectious diseases Family Planning Promote breastfeeding for lactatioinal amenorrhea method (LAM) and modern methods of contraceptives [web.worldbank.org]

• Dizziness

  You’re short of breath or dizzy often Gajus/Shutterstock Without enough iron or vitamin B12, the body cannot produce enough of a specific type of protein called hemoglobin, which is crucial to the functioning of red blood cells. [rd.com]

  Other symptoms of the condition include spoon shaped or scooped nails, breathlessness, loss of consciousness, an irregular heartbeat, headaches, and dizziness. [the.ismaili]

  Symptoms of anemia may include the following: Fatigue weakness shortness of breath lightheadedness palpitations (feeling of the heart racing or beating irregularly) looking pale Symptoms of severe anemia may include: chest pain, angina, or heart attack dizziness [web.archive.org]

  If you're anemic, you might experience the following: weakness feeling tired/fatigued cold dizziness crankiness You may bruise easily and may bleed more or longer than normal. You also might have frequent nosebleeds. [breastcancer.org]

  On presentation, he reported symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, bilateral leg swelling, dizziness (characterized as light-headedness), and frequent heartburn. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Headache

  You’re getting an abnormal amount of headaches Siriluk ok/Shutterstock Most of us get headaches every once in awhile, from stress, lack of sleep, illness, or a slew of other reasons. [rd.com]

  Who Is at Risk for Iron Deficiency Headaches? As a general rule, women are more susceptible to both iron deficiencies and headaches. But this doesn’t mean that men can’t develop these types of headaches as well. [fergon.com]

  Other symptoms of the condition include spoon shaped or scooped nails, breathlessness, loss of consciousness, an irregular heartbeat, headaches, and dizziness. [the.ismaili]

  Symptoms Individuals with anemia suffer from fatigue, weakness, headache, and lightheadedness, pale color of the skin, brittle nails and concentration problems. [symptoma.com]

  You may also have shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, or an irregular heartbeat. There are many types and causes of anemia. Mild anemia is a common and treatable condition that can occur in anyone. [nhlbi.nih.gov]

• Vertigo

  Symptoms may include: Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin Increased heart rate (tachycardia) Breathlessness, or difficulty catching a breath (dyspnea) Lack of energy, or tiring easily (fatigue) Dizziness, or vertigo especially when standing [chop.edu]

  The symptoms may include, but are not limited to: Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin Increased heart rate (tachycardia) Breathlessness, or difficulty catching a breath (dyspnea) Lack of energy, or tiring easily (fatigue) Dizziness, or vertigo [stanfordchildrens.org]

  Vertigo The inability to cope with heights and wide open spaces. Patients will need a visual reference to compensate with what is probably damage to the brain’s balance mechanism. [pernicious-anaemia-society.org]

• Apathy

  But for 3.4 million Americans, being tired is one of a host of symptoms— including headaches, pale skin, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, not to mention apathy and irritability—that collectively point to “tired blood,” more accurately known as anemia [healthscopemag.com]

  Fatigue, sleepiness, slowing of speech, in addition to a lack of interest in personal relationships and general apathy, are signs of depression and hypothyroidism. [verywell.com]

• Numbness of the Hand

  Other symptoms include dizziness, headaches, numbness in your hands or feet, low body temperature, pale skin, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, irritability, and not performing well at work or school. [prevention.com]

The following methods are employed to diagnose anemia:

• Physical examination is done to carefully evaluate the signs and symptoms of anemia. In this, the heartbeat is studied along with other physical parameters such as size of the liver and spleen [7].
• Blood tests to obtain a complete blood count would be made. The levels of hemoglobin are of primary interest. According to the values provided by WHO, males with hemoglobin values lower than 13.5g/dL and women with less than 12.5g/dL are considered to anemic. Blood tests in most cases also help identify the presence of underlying disease condition if any.
• Other tests would be carried out to establish the size and shape of the red blood cells. This is necessary because the size and shape of the cells changes with the type of anemia present. Individuals with iron deficiency anemia have smaller sized red blood cells; whereas those with vitamin deficiency anemia have enlarged RBCs [8].

• Leukopenia

  There may be leukopenia and/or and thrombocytopenia, but these features do not represent a diagnostic requirement. [atlasgeneticsoncology.org]

  […] prior radiation exposure or chemotherapy Anemia causes pallor, fatigue, and dyspnea; patients with leukemia may present with petechiae, low-grade fever, nonspecific bone pain, gum swelling, or rash Normocytic anemia with decreased reticulocyte count; leukopenia [aafp.org]

  As a result, the blood contains inadequate numbers of red blood cells (anemia) as well as insufficient white blood cells (leukopenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia). [medicinenet.com]

• Hemoglobin Decreased

  A decrease in hemoglobin stimulates erythropoiesis through an increase in circulating erythropoietin. [dx.doi.org]

• Hypercapnia

  Thus, poor ventilation leading to hypercapnia, left heart failure leading to interstitial edema (impairing gas exchange), asthma causing bronchoconstriction (limiting airflow) and muscle fatigue leading to ineffective respiratory muscle action could all [en.wikipedia.org]

• Hypoglycemia

  Serious adverse effects (eg, thrombocytopenia; necrotizing enterocolitis; hypoglycemia; hypocalcemia; shock, pulmonary edema, or both [caused by shifts in fluid balance]) are common, so the procedure should be done by experienced staff. [merckmanuals.com]

Treatment of anemia depends on its type. The following methods are employed to treat different types of anemia:

• Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron supplements and changes in dietary pattern [9].
• B12 deficiency anemia can be treated with providing supplements of folate and vitamin B12. These nutrients are also provided through diet. In case, the body is unable to absorb these through diet then vitamin B12 injections are given.
• Anemia due to chronic disease condition has no specific treatment regime. In this, modes are employed for treating the underlying disease condition. When symptoms turn severe then, blood transfusion may be necessary.
• Aplastic anemia is treated through blood transfusions and bone marrow transplantation.
• Sickle cell anemia may require blood transfusions, antibiotics and supplements of folic acid. In certain cases, bone marrow transplant may be indicated.
• Thalassemia is primarily treated through blood transfusions. In many instances, splenectomy and bone marrow transplant would be required [10].

The prognosis depends on the type of anemia and the causative factors. Mild forms can be successfully treated with supplements and intake of iron rich diet. However, certain forms can be severe and require a more rigorous treatment regime. Such types include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and aplastic anemia. Anemia that results from aortic rupture has a very poor prognosis with about 80% mortality rate [5].

Anemia occurs due to any of the 3 causes which include; loss of blood, decreased production of red blood cells and hemolysis characterized by increased destruction of red blood cells. There are several causative factors such as genetic, nutritional, physical and underlying disease conditions that can give rise to anemia.

• Genetic factors such as development of thalassemia, heredity xerocytosis, Fanconi anemia, Rh null disease and defects in RBC cytoskeleton can lead to anemia.
• Nutritional deficiencies including deficiency of iron, folate and vitamin B12 can cause anemia to set in.
• Physical factors that can cause blood loss include burns, trauma, prosthetic valves and frostbite can lead to development of anemia.
• Underlying disease conditions such as neoplasia, renal disease, liver disease and collagen vascular disease can predispose an individual to develop anemia [2].

It has been estimated that, about 1 billion individuals across the globe suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Women and children are more affected than men. According to WHO, men and women having hemoglobin levels below 12.5g/dL are considered to be suffering from anemia. For the US population, levels of 12.5g/dL for women and 13.5g/dL for men are considered to be cut off values. Based on these values, 4% men and 8% women are known to have lower than normal hemoglobin levels in the US [3].

Under normal physiologic conditions, the red blood cells (RBCs) of the body contain hemoglobin. The RBCs with the help of hemoglobin are responsible for carrying oxygen to the lungs and various other parts of the body. They also carry carbon dioxide from parts of the body to the lungs for it to be exhaled. Red blood cells are made regularly in the bone marrow. For the bone marrow to produce RBCs and hemoglobin, it needs adequate amounts of iron, vitamin B12, folate and other essential nutrients. Deficiency in any of these nutrients means inadequate amounts of hemoglobin is being produced, leading to anemia [4].

Some forms of anemia can be prevented. Those that occur due to iron and vitamin deficiency can easily be prevented by choosing a diet rich in these nutrients. Those who are vulnerable towards anemia, for eg; children and pregnant women should consider taking supplements. There are other forms of anemia which cannot be prevented. However, treatment should be initiated right when preliminary signs develop to prevent complications from setting in.

Anemia is characterized by decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. In other words, when the blood loses its capacity to carry oxygen, the individual is known to have developed anemia. Individuals with anemia often complain of tiredness and weakness. Anemia is of several types, and all have different causative factors. It is a common occurrence and can affect individuals of any age group. If the condition is not treated on time, it can lead to serious and long term debilitating complications [1]. 

Definition

Anemia is a condition defined by significant reduction in hemoglobin levels, like below 12.5g/dL. In this condition, the body does not produce adequate red blood cells. Anemia is more prevalent in women and children. It has been estimated that about 1.5 billion individuals across the globe suffer from anemia.

Cause

Causes of anemia include blood loss due to trauma or other disease conditions and inadequate production or early destruction of red blood cells.

Symptoms

Individuals with anemia suffer from fatigue, weakness, headache, and lightheadedness, pale color of the skin, brittle nails and concentration problems.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of anemia includes physical examination followed by blood tests to determine complete blood count. In addition, specialized tests to determine the size and shape of red blood cells would also be required.

Treatment

Anemia is treated through supplements and modification in diet. Many forms of anemia may require blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants.

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3. Patel KV. Epidemiology of anemia in older adults.SeminHematol 2008; 45:210.
4. Nutritional anaemias.Report of a WHO scientific group. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser 1968; 405:5
5. DeLoughery TG. Microcytic anemia. N Engl J Med. Oct 2 2014;371(14):1324-31.
6. Means RT, Glader B. Anemia: General Considerations. In: Wintrobe's Clinical Hematology, 12 Ed, Greer JP, Foerster J, Rodgers GM, et al. (Eds), Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia 2009. Vol 1, p.784.
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8. Kuku I, Kaya E, Yologlu S, Gokdeniz R, Baydin A. Platelet counts in adults with iron deficiency anemia.Platelets. Aug 3 2009;1-5.
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10. Borgna-Pignatti C, Rugolotto S, De Stefano P, et al. Survival and complications in patients with thalassemia major treated with transfusion and deferoxamine. Haematologica. Oct 2004;89(10):1187-93.