Anaemia

What it is

Not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. It is a sign of something else - iron deficiency, malaria, worms, sickle cell, blood loss - and finding which one is the point.

When to seek urgent care

There is chest pain, breathlessness at rest, fainting, very fast breathing, or you are pregnant and feeling faint.

How it shows

Tiredness, breathlessness on small efforts, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, and paleness of the inner eyelids, palms or tongue.

What to do

Have a blood test. Taking iron without knowing the cause can leave the real problem untreated, and iron is harmful in some conditions.

Finding why the blood is low

Anaemia means there is too little haemoglobin to carry oxygen effectively. Iron deficiency is common, but bleeding, malaria, inherited conditions such as sickle cell disease, other nutrient deficiencies and long-term illness can also cause it.

A full blood count is usually a first step. Other tests depend on the findings and may check iron stores or blood loss. Tell the clinician about heavy periods, pregnancy, black stools, diet and family blood conditions. Paleness or tiredness alone cannot show the cause.

Food, treatment and follow-up

Iron-rich foods include beans, lentils, leafy vegetables, fortified foods and meat where eaten. Food helps support recovery, but significant anaemia often needs treatment of the underlying cause as well.

Only take iron when advised: it will not correct every kind of anaemia. If prescribed, discuss constipation or nausea rather than abandoning it. Keep iron well away from children because accidental overdose can be fatal. Repeat blood tests may be needed even after energy improves. Seek urgent care with breathlessness at rest, fainting, chest pain or significant bleeding.

Sources

1. Iron deficiency anaemia · Public sector health information · OGL v3.0
2. About sickle cell disease · CDC · Public domain text (CDC reuse terms)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.