Anemia is a condition in which your body's tissues and organs are deprived of needed oxygen, either because you have low red blood cells, or because your red blood cells are not functioning properly. More than 400 different types of anemia have been identified, and they fall into three broad categories: nutritional, early acquired or genetic. Although the symptoms of anemia are basically the same, treatment differs based on the type.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Identifying the General Symptoms of Anemia
Step 1. Check your degree of fatigue
This is the most common symptom in all types of anemia. To understand if your fatigue may be related to anemia, rather than being the result of a few nights of insufficient sleep, ask yourself the following questions. If your answer is yes, you may be suffering from anemia.
- Do you feel tired when you wake up in the morning, and during the rest of the day?
- Does this fatigue make it difficult for you to concentrate and work well at school or in the workplace?
- Do you lack the energy to carry out the basic tasks and chores, or do you seem to be wearing out these tasks?
Step 2. Find out if you feel faint or dizzy
Fatigue can be linked to many different causes, but when it occurs together with weakness and dizziness, the possibility of anemia must certainly be evaluated. If you have to sit often because you feel too weak to stand or dizzy, you should get tested for anemia.
Step 3. See a doctor immediately if you have severe symptoms
If neglected, anemia can lead to life-threatening conditions. It is important that you make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of these less common symptoms:
- Numbness or cold in the feet.
- Pallor of the skin.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Extremely cold extremities regardless of the temperature.
Method 2 of 3: What to Expect in the Doctor's Office
Step 1. Explain your medical history to your doctor
Because anemia shares the same symptoms as many other conditions, your doctor may have to ask you a lot of questions to figure out which direction to take. Talk to your doctor about the symptoms you are having and give or give them information about your diet, lifestyle, and family medical history.
Step 2. Get a complete blood count test
Once your doctor has determined that you may be anemic, this test will be done to determine the shape and number of your red blood cells.
- If the lab tests are positive for anemia, they will also tell the doctor what type of anemia you have.
- Your doctor will work with you to seek treatment, which will vary according to your type of anemia.
- Treatment for nutritional anemia consists of changing the diet, administering additional vitamins and iron, or injecting vitamin B-12. Early acquired anemia or anemia linked to genetic causes may require a red blood cell transfusion or hormone injections.
Method 3 of 3: Distinguish the Different Types of Anemia
Step 1. Control of symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
This is the most common type of anemia, and it can sometimes be cured by increasing your iron intake. You may have iron deficiency if you've experienced the following symptoms:
- Intense menstrual flow (iron is lost through menstrual blood).
- A serious injury where you have had a lot of blood loss.
- An operation that led to a loss of blood.
- Colon ulcers or cancer.
- A diet low in iron.
Step 2. Determine if you may have vitamin deficiency anemia
This type of anemia occurs due to an insufficient amount of vitamin B12 in the body. Vitamin B12 is needed by the body to make new blood cells and keep the nervous system healthy. You may have this type of anemia if:
- You have an autoimmune syndrome or intestinal problems that make you unable to absorb vitamin B12 efficiently.
- You are not getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet. Since this vitamin is found in high quantities in foods of animal origin, vegetarians and vegans may have problems getting enough of it.
Step 3. Ask your doctor about anemia caused by blood disorders
In some cases, anemia is caused by an underlying disease that affects the entire body's ability to form new blood cells to keep blood healthy. To find out if this might be the case, talk to your doctor and get tested.
- Diseases of the kidneys can lower the body's ability to form red blood cells.
- Among the anemias caused by hereditary blood diseases are, among others, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, and aplastic anemia. Some people have a predisposition for these anemias if one or both parents suffered from it.
- Acquired anemia is caused by exposure to toxins, viruses, chemicals or drugs that prevent the body from forming healthy blood cells.
Advice
- Some people with diet-induced anemia complain that they are always cold. Iron plays an important role in the thermoregulation mechanisms of our body. Avoid diet-induced anemia by eating iron-rich foods daily.
- Pregnancy increases a woman's chance of becoming anemic because this condition increases the demand for folic acid and iron. Water retention can also dilute the number of red blood cells. Pregnant women should always add prescribed vitamins and supplements to their diet.
- Although anemia can occur at any age and for both sexes, children and pre-menopausal women are at the greatest risk. Postmenopausal women, adults and adolescent boys are at lower risk.
- Chronic or severe conditions that lead to bleeding or swelling increase the risk of anemia.
- You can check at home if you have anemia. Extend the lower lid to see the inside. If it's bright red, you're not anemic. If it is paler or whiter, you should see your doctor.
