Anemia: What You Need To Know

Anemia is the most common blood condition in the US, affecting over three million people.

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells. As you may know, red blood cells are used by your body to transport oxygen to your organs. Hemoglobin is the protein that carries the oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body. Tiredness, a symptom of anemia, occurs because your organs are not getting enough oxygen. This is important because without enough oxygen you can damage your heart and other organs.

Anemia can also be associated with other medical conditions such as ulcers, cancer or menstrual problems.

If you have a mild form of anemia or it has developed over a long period of time, you may not even notice any symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Easy fatigue and loss of energy

• Unusually rapid heart beat, especially when exercising

• Shortness of breath and headache, especially when exercising

• Difficulty concentrating

Are You At Risk?

Your red blood cells may not have enough hemoglobin to carry the oxygen throughout your body. This means your body is not getting enough iron. Usually this means that your diet does not include enough iron rich foods, such as red meat, eggs, beans or dark leafy greens.

Women are at risk to develop iron-deficiency anemia due to blood loss during menstrual cycles and increased blood demands during pregnancy. Seniors may also be at risk due to poor diet and other medical conditions. Individuals involved in chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or who have recently undergone major surgery, may also be at risk.

Treatment

If you think you may have anemia, you need to see your physician. Only your physician can determine the cause of you anemia and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Written by Paula Spurway, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Resources include Blue Health Connection on www.fepblue.org, anemia; www.webmd.com, anemia; and www.anemia.org.