Anemia refers to a red blood cell count that is below normal. While white blood cells fight infection, red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When red blood cell levels drop too low, the body feels tired due to lack of oxygen. Hence, someone with anemia is often referred to as having “tired blood.”

Various factors can cause anemia, including blood loss, iron deficiency, poor diet, disease, and reactions to medications like chemotherapy, to name but a few. To treat anemia a doctor must first learn the cause. Anemia can be mild or severe, temporary or chronic. In the worst-case scenario, anemia can create a serious oxygen deficiency in bodily organs that can lead to heart attack.

Symptoms might start off as almost unnoticeable, but increase as the condition worsens. A person suffering from anemia might notice some or all of the following symptoms:

• Paleness
• Tiring quickly or easily
• Dizziness
• Pain in the chest
• Cold hands and feet
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Increased heartbeat

Of the various kinds of anemia, the most common results from iron deficiency. Most at risk for this type of anemia are women that have heavy menstrual periods, pregnant women, and those suffering from internal bleeding due to ulcers or various forms of cancer. The body normally recycles dead blood cells to recover iron. When there is a constant drainage of blood, there is a constant drainage of iron. An iron-poor diet is another cause of this type of anemia.

Vitamin B12 and folate (folic acid) deficiencies can also lead to anemia. Bone marrow requires B12 and folate along with iron to produce healthy red blood cells. Intestinal disorders and some medications can prohibit the absorption of vitamin B12 or folate. This can lead to vitamin deficient anemia, just as a diet poor in leafy green vegetables and fruits can lead to a folate deficiency.

Any disease that interferes with the process of manufacturing blood can cause anemia. This includes inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and various forms of cancer. Once cancer enters the bone marrow, it eventually overtakes the blood-making process, resulting in anemia and increased risk of infection.

Chemotherapy is a concoction of various medications designed to kill rapidly reproducing cells. A common side-effect of chemotherapy treatment is anemia, as the medical cocktail kills healthy cells as well as cancerous cells. Depending on the method of delivery, chemotherapy might enter bone marrow to kill cancer cells located there as well. In doing so, it disrupts the production of healthy blood cells, resulting in anemia. This is one reason chemotherapy patients can feel fatigued.

There are several other types of anemia in addition to those listed. Anemia is treatable through various means depending on the cause. Some treatments consist of little more than dietary adjustments and exercise. When a more serious underlying disease causes anemia, it might be a question of management rather than cure. In some cases, blood transfusions or injections are necessary.

While this article provides general information, it is not intended as a diagnostic tool and should not be considered medical advise. At the onset of symptoms, see a doctor for a professional diagnosis to stay safe and healthy.