What causes the symptoms of severe anemia?
Severe anemia carries a high ‘hidden’ morbidity and mortality occurring in the months after initial diagnosis and treatment. Its very common. The most common symptoms are fatigue, decreased energy, weakness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, looking pale, chest pain, angina, or heart attack, dizziness, fainting or passing out and rapid heart rate.
There are three types of cells that make up the blood in our bodies: red cells, which contain hemoglobin to carry oxygen from the lungs to every cell in the body, white cells which fight infections, and platelets. Anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells, or the hemoglobin in them, drops below normal levels and can’t supply the body with the oxygen it needs to function properly, which can result in the severe symptoms listed previously. The more common causes of this drop in the number of red blood cells, or the hemoglobin in them, are: • A vitamin or iron deficiency • A serious disease • Significant blood loss • Side effects of prescription drugs • Genetic or acquired defects or diseases So what can you do before you develop the severe symptoms of anemia? Be on the lookout for the more mild symptoms such as: * loss of concentration * dizziness * concave and/or brittle nails * husky voice * facial pallor (paleness) *low iron levels (if you’ve had a blood test) * poor appetite Y
