Anemia symptoms vary depending on the type, but common symptoms include pale skin, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, weakness, and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency can cause bizarre food cravings, while vitamin B12 anemia can cause numbness and tingling. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve increasing iron intake.
Symptoms of anemia can vary, depending on which type a patient has. In most cases, this condition is slow in onset and the body will compensate for the lack of iron, masking symptoms in the early stages and making anemia difficult to identify. It can be diagnosed with the assistance of a blood test to check hematocrit levels, and if patients experience any signs of anemia, they should be sure to mention them to a doctor during an exam.
Many of the symptoms can be seen in all cases, regardless of the cause. Pale skin, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, weakness, and shortness of breath are symptoms, as are feeling light-headed, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and cold skin. Patients may also experience changes in stool color, nausea, and heart attacks. The longer the anemia persists, the more severe the symptoms will become.
If the anemia is caused by iron deficiency, patients may experience bizarre food cravings, caused by the body’s attempt to increase iron intake. Vitamin B12 anemia can be accompanied by clumsiness, numbness, tingling, and dementia, while anemia caused by lead poisoning is accompanied by vomiting and a classic blue to black line on the gums known as a lead line. If anemia is the result of red blood cell destruction, patients may develop jaundice, dark urine, and leg ulcers. Sickle cell anemia is classically associated with susceptibility to infection, retarded growth, and fatigue.
Sometimes, anemia is associated with another medical condition, and symptoms of that condition may be present first. Growing children, pregnant women, and people with poorly balanced diets are at a higher risk of becoming anemic. Patients who develop the symptoms of anemia should take the time to visit a health care professional to get a blood test and a medical examination to determine whether or not the patient is anemic and what the causes may be.
Treatment for anemia can vary depending on the cause. Increasing iron intake is usually an important part of stabilizing the patient so the doctor can address the underlying cause. People who are anemic may be asked to refrain from donating blood and to reschedule surgeries if possible until their hematocrit levels rise. These precautions are intended to help the patient avoid complications that can be caused by dangerously low levels of iron in the blood.
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