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Anemia is so widespread that the term anemic has become a common reference for lacking energy, substance, or flavor. However, the symptoms of anemia extend beyond the typical signs of pale skin and exhaustion. This condition is marked by insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body, which can result from a variety of causes—some severe, others less noticeable. Factors contributing to anemia can include pregnancy, poor diet, or in rare cases, cancer. Here are additional details you should know about anemia’s symptoms and treatment options.
1. Iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent form.
Iron is crucial for producing hemoglobin—the protein responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. A lack of iron can lead to the development of iron deficiency anemia. Similarly, vitamin deficiency anemia occurs when the body lacks essential vitamins such as B12 or folate, which are necessary for making healthy red blood cells. This deficiency can stem from inadequate intake of these nutrients or the body's inability to absorb them, often due to gastrointestinal surgery, genetic disorders, or other underlying issues. On the other hand, sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder where abnormal hemoglobin cannot carry enough oxygen, causing red blood cells to adopt a crescent shape and hinder blood circulation.
2. Even mild symptoms of anemia should not be ignored.
There are approximately 400 different causes of anemia. Some are relatively harmless, such as not consuming enough leafy greens, while others are more concerning, like blood cancers or aplastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow ceases to produce red blood cells at an adequate rate. Mild anemia may signal a serious underlying condition affecting blood cell production, so even if the symptoms seem manageable, they should not be dismissed as trivial.
3. Anemia originates from the Greek term for lack of blood.
Simply put, someone with anemia has an insufficient number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in their blood. The term comes from the Greek word anaimia, which translates to lack of blood (an meaning "without" and haima meaning "blood").
4. Fatigue is caused by inadequate oxygen supply.
Even with a healthy respiratory system, people with anemia may experience inadequate oxygen delivery to their tissues, a condition known as hypoxia. This can result in symptoms like headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. While these symptoms can be severe in individuals with advanced anemia, they might be mild or even absent in those with less severe cases. The signs are difficult to measure and often overlap with those of various chronic conditions, which makes mild anemia frequently go undiagnosed.
5. Anemia may cause some people to have a strong urge to chew ice.
Constantly craving ice cubes to chew could indicate that your blood levels are low due to anemia. Pica is the term for the urge to chew non-nutritive substances like ice, dirt, and paper, and it is one of the more common signs of iron deficiency anemia. Doctors are still unsure why this craving affects so many anemic individuals. One theory is that ice reduces inflammation in the mouth, a condition that sometimes accompanies iron deficiencies, while other studies suggest that chewing ice helps individuals with fatigue stay alert.
6. Anemia can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test.
Although symptoms can be hard to pinpoint, diagnosing anemia is straightforward once a doctor suspects its presence. After taking a blood sample, doctors calculate the complete blood count (CBC), which measures the percentage of red blood cells (referred to as the hematocrit) and hemoglobin in the blood. By analyzing these percentages, doctors can determine whether the patient’s blood is healthy or anemic. The typical adult male has a blood composition of 40 to 52 percent red blood cells (with the remainder being plasma), while the typical adult female has 35 to 47 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic.
7. Anemia is more prevalent in developing nations.
Anemia affects approximately 25 percent of the global population, nearly 2 billion people. In about half of these cases, iron deficiency is the underlying cause. This condition is more widespread in developing regions where malnutrition is common. In contrast, in the U.S., less than 6 percent of the population suffers from anemia. The occurrence of anemia in the U.S. varies by demographic group: women, the elderly, African Americans, and Latino Americans are more likely to have it. A 2016 study found that black women aged 80 to 85 are 6.4 times more likely to develop anemia than the national average. Most cases of anemia globally are moderate or mild, and at these levels, the lack of healthy blood cells does not pose significant health risks, although any underlying disease causing it could.
8. Anemia comes with an unexpected benefit.
Having low iron levels in the body has a surprising advantage: it reduces the likelihood of infections developing. Many bacteria rely on iron to grow and spread, but in individuals with iron deficiency anemia, bacteria have a higher chance of being eliminated before they can multiply into a dangerous infection. Research shows that people with low iron levels are at a lower risk of contracting malaria, tuberculosis, and some respiratory illnesses. Iron deficiency anemia has even been linked to higher survival rates for HIV patients and a reduced risk of cancer, as cancer cells, like bacteria, require iron to proliferate. Our bodies naturally decrease iron production when they detect an infection, effectively starving pathogens of the iron they need to survive.
9. Pregnant individuals are at higher risk of anemia...
Pregnant individuals are at a significantly higher risk of developing anemia. The World Health Organization reports that over 40 percent of pregnant women worldwide are affected. During pregnancy, the body naturally increases blood production by 20 to 30 percent to supply oxygen to the fetus, but this may not always be enough to maintain healthy levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the mother. Anemia is particularly common during the second and third trimesters when the baby requires the most blood. Pregnant women with anemia are often prescribed iron supplements to avoid birth defects and complications during delivery.
10. Vegetarians are also at risk.
Many people obtain their iron from meat sources such as beef, chicken, pork, and shellfish. Those who follow a vegetarian diet may face a higher risk of iron deficiency anemia. A small study conducted in India and published in the Journal of Nutrition & Food Science found that about 60 percent of vegetarian women were anemic. However, it is still possible to consume adequate iron on a meat-free diet. In addition to supplements, legumes, dried fruits, and leafy greens provide excellent sources of iron.
11. Treatments for anemia range from vitamins to blood transfusions.
Treatment for anemia depends on its underlying cause. For the most common form, iron deficiency anemia, doctors typically recommend iron supplements along with a diet high in iron-rich foods. Patients deficient in folic acid or B12 may be prescribed daily folic acid tablets or B12 shots, starting every other day and eventually transitioning to once a month. In severe cases, when red blood cell and hemoglobin levels drop dangerously low, more aggressive treatments like blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants may be required.
