ANEMIA
What Is Anemia

Anemia results from a lack of enough hemoglobin in a person's blood. There are a number of different types of anemia. Some types present only mild health problems, while others can be severe.

Detecting Anemia

If you think you may be anemic, your doctor can perform blood tests to determine whether or not you are.

What Causes Anemia

• Cancer
• Treatments for Cancer, such as chemotherapy
• Lack of vitamin B12 in your diet
• Lack of folic acid in your diet
• Blood loss from an injury
• An inherited blood disorder, such as sickle cell anemia
• Various conditions that cause red blood cells to break down too fast
• Excessive destruction of red blood cells

Symptoms of Anemia

Have you ever held your breath for longer than a minute? Do you remember how tired you were afterward? With anemia, you would feel tired all the time. Even extra sleep will not help an anemic person feel better.

If you are anemic, you may experience:

• Extreme fatigue and weakness
• Feeling tired
• Difficulty sleeping
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heartbeat
• Headache
• Dizziness or fainting
• Paleness

patient & families > fatigue > anemia