What are the symptoms of anemia?
Most symptoms of anemia are a result of the decrease of oxygen in the cells or “hypoxia.” Because red blood cells, as hemoglobin, carry oxygen, a decreased production or number of these cells result in “hypoxia.” Many of the symptoms will not be present with mild anemia, as the body can often compensate for gradual changes in hemoglobin. The following are the most common symptoms of anemia. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.
People with mild anemia may have no symptoms or may not notice the symptoms because they appeared slowly. However, if the anemia is severe, the symptoms increase and become more serious. Anemic patients may feel weak, easily tired, out of breath, faint or dizzy on movement, and have problems doing the things they usually do. Other symptoms include pale skin, chest pain, irritability, numbness or coldness in the hands and feet, a fast heartbeat, and headache. If you’ve been feeling some of these symptoms and think you may have anemia, we recommend you see your healthcare professional. To help you tell your doctor about your symptoms which could be related to anemia, NAAC has developed an anemia Symptoms Quiz for you to fill out and take to your doctor. If you are diagnosed with anemia, there are treatments available to help. Close communication with your doctor will help him or her provide the treatment that is best for you based on what is causing the anemia.
What Are the Symptoms of Anemia?Answer: While the most common symptom of anemia is fatigue, other symptoms are associated with anemia include dizzy spells, headaches, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath, pale skin, and chest pain. Anemia causes these symptoms because the heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood through the body. Girls and women who have mild or moderate anemia may experience only mild symptoms or no symptoms. Source: Anemia Signs and Symptoms; NHLBI; http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_signsandsymptoms.html; accessed 08/26/08.
The symptoms of anemia vary according to the type of anemia, the underlying cause, and any underlying health problems. Anemia may be associated with other medical conditions such as hemorrhage, ulcers, menstrual problems or cancer — and specific symptoms of those conditions may be noticed first. The body also has a remarkable ability to compensate for early anemia. If your anemia is mild or developed over a long period of time, you may not notice any symptoms. 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 skin • Leg cramps • Insomnia Other symptoms are associated with specific forms of anemia. Anemia caused by iron deficiency: • Hunger for strange substances such as paper, ice, or dirt (a condition called pica).
A person with anemia will feel tired and weak because the body’s tissues are being starved of oxygen. In fact, fatigue is the main symptom of most types of anemia. The severity of symptoms is in part related to the severity of anemia. Mild anemia can occur without symptoms and may be detected only during a medical exam that includes a blood test.
