Anaemia is the most common disorder of the blood. It is caused by a decreased number of red blood cells (RBC's) or reduced level of haemoglobin (the chemical in your red blood cells which carries oxygen).
Haemoglobin is a red coloured, oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells, which takes oxygen from the lungs and carries it through the bloodstream to all parts of body.
Anaemia therefore, results in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Without oxygen, the body tissues cannot produce enough energy to function properly.
Anaemia can occur due to several causes:
- More rapid destruction of red blood cells than is normal;
- Blood loss;
- Failure of your bone marrow to produce adequate numbers of red blood cells.
There are several different types of anaemia, and although they all cause similar symptoms, they all have different causes.
General Symptoms Of Anaemia
The initial symptoms of anaemia are usually so slight that may go unobserved. These can include
- Fatigue,
- Weakness
- Slightly pale complexion.
However as the anaemia progresses, the symptoms worsen. You may have
- Shortness of breath,
- Palpitations (the feeling of your heart beating in your chest),
- Lightheadedness,
- Headache,
- Ringing in your ears,
- Irritability,
- Rarely confusion.
- The inside of the eyelids, nails, and lips may become very pale.
Anaemia may occur without any symptoms and may be detected on routine blood examination.
Anaemia caused by deficiency of vitamin B12 can also lead to inflammation of the mouth and tongue, in addition to the general symptoms listed above. Vitamin B12 deficiency may also damage your nerves, with early symptoms including numbness and tingling, depression, memory loss, and irritability. Loss of balance, staggering gait, confusion, rigidity, loss of bladder control, and impotence may result from advanced nerve damage.
Anaemia resulting from folic acid deficiency does not cause neurological damage, although it can cause irritability, forgetfulness, and personality changes. It also produces mouth and tongue inflammation, weight loss, diarrhoea and the general symptoms of anaemia listed above.
Written by Medpages Editorial Team
Last Editorial Review: 21/1/2010
