Anemia
• Anemia is the disorder of low blood levels from blood loss or the failure of adequately replacing red blood cells.
• Overview
· Anemia is diagnosed by a blood test (a low hemoglobin or hematocrit level).
· Anemia is common in menstruating women.
· Anemia can be the first sign of colon cancer.
• Symptoms
Symptoms of anemia include:
· fatigue
· shortness of breath with exercise
· dizziness
• Signs
Signs of anemia include:
· pallor
· pale skin
· fading of the reddish color of finger nails, lips, inside the eye lid, wrinkles of the palms
• Anemia has many causes including:
· blood loss
· fragile blood cells
· failing bone marrow
· cancer
· deficiencies in iron, B12, Folate
· renal failure and low levels of erythropoietin
· genetic such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia
• Anemia should be evaluated by your doctor.
Posted on January 12, 2009
