Symptoms of Anemia
Symptoms and Treatment
Only a Doctor Knows What Your Symptoms Mean
There are Different Types of Anemia
Symptoms of anemia show up when you have too few red blood cells. This can be caused by any number of different conditions. Maybe you just have poor diet. Or maybe you have a serious, long term condition for which you should see your doctor immediately. Whatever the cause of your anemia, a doctor should get involved sooner rather than later.
Iron Deficiency Anemia or Something More Serious?
Based on the cause, symptoms of anemia can mean you should eat more red meat, or you might have something like a severe case of Thalassemia, which require regular blood transfusions for treatment. In many cases, when symptoms of anemia appear, it’s because of iron deficiency anemia. This just means you need to eat more red meat. If you’re a vegetarian the treatment is more difficult but still possible. Just eat beans, spinach and other foods high in iron. You can also take an iron supplement.
Only a Doctor Can Tell
It’s hard to tell on your own whether you just have an iron deficiency or something more serious. Go see a doctor! He or she will first perform a complete blood count. This means the number, size and shape of your red blood cells will be analyzed.
Based on results of the complete blood count, additional tests may be performed to see whether you have an iron deficiency, a vitamin deficiency or something more serious.
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The Symptoms of Anemia
There are Many Types of Anemia
The symptoms of anemia depend on what type of anemia you have. There are more types than you ever dreamed of, but one of the most common is blood loss. There are some common signs of anemia to watch out for, present no matter what type you may have.
Most people think anemia is from low iron in the diet but his is only one type of anemia. Luckily, that type is very easy to fix by taking iron supplements. There are other types of anemia you should know about, and which are not corrected by taking iron pills.
Some Common Symptoms of Anemia
- you are dizzy
- low energy, get tired easily
- spacey
- can’t sleep
- exercise causes headache, shortness of breath and too rapid heart beat
Those are the symptoms of anemia seen across most cases of the disease, regardless of whether the anemia was caused by blood loss, heredity, iron or B-12 deficiency, lead poisoning, etc.
Some Specific Symptoms of Anemia
- crave paper or ice or dirt (iron deficiency anemia)
- vomiting, blue-black line on the gums (chronic lead poisoning)
- dementia, clumsiness, tingling in hands or feet (B-12 deficiency)
- jaundice, brown urine, leg ulcers (red blood cell destruction)
Those are just a few of the specific symptoms of anemia associated with various causes of the disease. Contrary to what most people think, Anemia doesn’t always come with an iron deficiency.
If you have symptoms of anemia, see a doctor because it’s a serious condition. In particular, if the following symptoms of anemia show up, call a doctor:
- concerns about lead poisoning and you have symptoms of anemia
- hereditary anemia runs in your family and you have symptoms of anemia
- considering pregnancy …you should take dietary supplements
- you have poor diet and you have symptoms of anemia
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Anemia Symptoms & Iron Deficiency
Anemia symptoms can be caused by lots of things. One of the most common causes of anemia is iron deficiency. By not getting enough iron in our bodies we are affecting every single cell and many cell functions. When there is not enough iron, suffice it to say the body does not function properly and you will notice! Anemia symptoms can result from long term iron deficiency so it’s best to get it checked out by a doctor.
Iron deficiency can mean you are tired, weak, and dizzy. It can also mean you have anemia, since anemia symptoms include the symptoms of iron deficiency as well. There are varying degrees of iron deficiency and the lighter, less serious types don’t cause health impairment. They just make you feel weak, dizzy and tired, which can be fixed by taking iron pills if it’s a dietary problem. But these are also symptoms of anemia so go see a doctor.
But don’t diagnose yourself because there are lots of causes of iron deficiency and even more causes of anemia symptoms. These three terms are used interchangeably but not quite the same meaning:
- anemia
- iron deficiency
- iron deficiency anemia
For example, you can have iron deficiency without having full blown anemia. Mild iron deficiency does not mean you have anemia, which is a much more serious health issue.
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