Anemia is a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues. It can cause fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms. Anemia is caused by factors like low iron or vitamin levels, blood loss, and certain illnesses. It is diagnosed with blood tests and treated through dietary changes, supplements, medicines, or procedures like blood transfusions depending on the underlying cause. Maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent and manage types of anemia.

1. A Visual Guide to Anemia
What Is Anemia?
Anemia develops when you don’t have enough robust,
healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your
body. The blood cells may lack enough hemoglobin, the
protein that gives blood its red color. Anemia affects one
in 10 teen girls and women. It also develops in men and
children and is linked to some illnesses

2. Symptoms of Anemia
If you’re often tired even though you've
slept well or you lack the energy for
normal activities, you may have anemia. It
can be an underlying cause of memory or
mood problems. Symptoms range from
none to mild to life-threatening and may
include:
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Pale skin
• Headache
• Numbness or coldness in hands and feet
• Low body temperature

3. Heart-Related Symptoms
People with anemia have less oxygen in
their blood, which means the heart must
work harder to pump enough oxygen to
their organs. Cardiac-related symptoms
include arrhythmia (an abnormal heart
rhythm), shortness of breath, and chest
pain.

4. Anemia in Children
About one in seven children develop anemia
by age 2, most often because they don’t have
enough iron in their diet. People who have
iron-deficiency anemia may feel the urge to
eat inappropriate things like dirt, clay, ice, or
starch, a behavior called pica. Pediatricians
test all children for anemia at 12 months.
Without treatment, a severe case of anemia
could permanently affect brain development.

5. Anemia Risk Factors
Women and people with chronic diseases have
the greatest risk of anemia. When women lose
blood in heavy menstrual periods, they may
become anemic. Pregnancy also causes changes
in a woman’s blood volume that can result in
anemia. Chronic diseases such as kidney disease
can affect the body’s ability to make red blood
cells. A diet low in iron, folate, or vitamin B12 also
increases your risk. And some types of anemia
are hereditary.

6. Teens and Anemia
If your teen often is fatigued, anemia might be a
cause. Teens are at risk of iron-deficiency anemia
because of their sudden growth spurts. Teen girls
also are more prone to anemia because of their
menstrual periods.

7. Cause: Low Iron Intake
A diet that's low in iron can cause anemia. Iron
from plants and supplements isn't absorbed as
well as the iron in red meat. Digestive concerns
such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or even
having gastric bypass surgery can interfere with
iron absorption. And some foods and medicines
can hinder iron uptake when taken with iron-
rich foods. They include:
• Dairy
• Other calcium-rich foods
• Calcium supplements
• Antacids
• Coffee
• Tea

8. Cause: Vitamin Deficiency
The body needs both vitamin B12 and
folate to make red blood cells. A diet too
low in these vitamins sometimes can
cause anemia. An autoimmune disorder
or digestive problem also can prevent
your body from absorbing enough B12.
Animal-based foods and fortified
breakfast cereals are good sources of B-
12. Folate is in leafy green
vegetables, fruits, dried beans, and
peas, and is added to breads, pastas, and
cereals as folic acid.

9. Cause: Illness
Chronic illness or infection can cause the
body to make fewer red blood cells. This can
result in a mild drop in hemoglobin. If you
have significant blood loss, then you may
develop iron-deficiency anemia. And some
drugs and medical treatments can also put
you at risk for anemia. Consult your doctor to
see if you need iron or other supplements.

10. Cause: Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia is a rare disorder in which the bone
marrow doesn’t make enough blood cells to supply the
body. It affects only about three in one million people.
It can be caused by high doses of radiation, certain
chemical exposures, viruses, or an autoimmune
disorder in which your body attacks the bone marrow.
About one in five cases is inherited. In severe cases,
people need blood transfusions or even a bone
marrow transplant

11. Cause: Blood Loss
Losing too many red blood cells is a
common cause of anemia. Heavy
menstruation, ulcers, injury, or surgery
can cause enough blood loss to lead to
iron-deficiency anemia. Women who have
heavy menstrual periods should be tested
for anemia every year.

12. Cause: Faulty Blood Cell Mechanics
Inherited disorders can affect your body’s
production of red blood cells. Thalassemias
cause the body to make fewer healthy red
blood cells and less hemoglobin -- and may be
treated with blood transfusions. Among
people with hemolytic anemia, red blood cells
are destroyed and cleaned out of the
bloodstream too quickly.

13. Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder
in which the body produces an abnormal
form of hemoglobin. This causes red
blood cells to change from round to a
sickle shape and become stuck together.
That can make it difficult for them to pass
through blood vessels, leading to pain and
damage to body tissues. The red blood
cells also die more quickly than normal
red blood cells. In the U.S., sickle cell
anemia is more common among African-
Americans and Hispanics.

14. Diagnosis: Complete Blood Count
A complete blood count test will check your
levels of red blood cells, white blood
cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. It will also
check other factors such as average
size, variability in size, volume, and
hemoglobin concentration of red blood cells.
If you have iron-deficiency anemia, your red
blood cells may be smaller than normal. Your
health care provider also may ask about your
symptoms, medicines you take, and your
family history.

15. Diagnosis: Other Blood Tests
If the complete blood count shows that you
have anemia, you may have additional blood
tests. Your blood cells may be checked for an
abnormal appearance. Hemoglobin
electrophoresis detects the type of hemoglobin
in your blood. A reticulocyte count tests how
well your bone marrow makes new red blood
cells. Iron studies may be ordered to measure
iron stores in your body, as well as iron levels in
your blood.

16. Diagnosis: Bone Marrow Test
If your body is producing too few or too
many blood cells or their structure appears
abnormal, you may need a bone marrow
test. Bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside
bones, contains stem cells that turn into
blood cells. Your doctor will remove a small
sample of bone marrow through a needle.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes and
will cause some soreness.

17. Treatment: Supplements
Iron pills are often needed for anemia that's
caused by a deficiency in that mineral. Ferrous
iron is more easily absorbed than ferric iron. It's
best taken with food, especially orange juice and
other foods rich in vitamin C. But don't mix your
iron pill with calcium, coffee, or tea, which can
block absorption. And never take iron without a
doctor's order or let children near the pills. An
iron overdose can be dangerous. Some people
may need folic acid or vitamin B12 supplements,
too.

18. Iron and Pregnancy
About half of pregnant women have iron-
deficiency anemia. Pregnant women
should get about 27 milligrams of iron
each day in their diet. Your prenatal
vitamin also may contain iron. You may be
tested for anemia at your first prenatal
visit and after delivery.

19. Treatment: Medicines
Drugs for anemia often treat the root
illness. So in some cases, where the
anemia is due to chronic kidney disease,
an injection of the hormone
erythropoietin (EPO) may be needed. If an
autoimmune disorder causes your body to
attack its own red blood cells, then a
corticosteroid, such as prednisone, can
slow the attack and help correct anemia.
In sickle cell anemia, a cancer drug called
hydroxyruea can lower the number of
painful episodes.

20. Treatment: Procedures
If you have severe anemia, you may need
a transfusion of blood that matches your
type. When the body's production of red
blood cells doesn't work right, anemia
may be treated or cured with a
transplant. In these cases, bone marrow
or cord blood from a donor replaces the
person's faulty bone marrow, so the body
can start producing healthy blood cells.
When blood cells are destroyed too
quickly, blood plasma treatments or even
removing the spleen may be needed.

21. Preventing Anemia
You can prevent some types of anemia with
a healthy diet. Foods containing iron
include lean red
meat, liver, fish, tofu, lentils and
beans, dark green leafy vegetables, and
dried fruits. Also eat foods with vitamin B12
and folic acid, such as eggs and dairy
products, spinach, and bananas. Many
breads, cereals, and other foods are
fortified with all three key nutrients:
iron, B12, and folic acid. Vitamin C, found in
citrus, other fruits, and vegetables, will help
your body absorb iron.

22. Iron Overload
Too much iron can cause serious
problems. Iron overload can be a result of
repeated blood transfusions or an
inherited condition, but taking too much
iron also is a risk. The many symptoms of
iron overload are related to excess iron
depositing into organs and causing
problems in the liver, heart, and
pancreas. Iron levels can be reduced
through phlebotomy (blood removal) or
medications.

23. Living With Anemia
Treating your anemia and eating a well-rounded
diet can give you more energy and enhance your
life. Most people can manage their anemia
through a healthy diet and iron or vitamin
supplements, if a doctor says they are deficient in
one of the key nutrients. If you have a chronic
disease, then good management of your condition
also will help you prevent or manage anemia.
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