Anemia

Anemia occurs when there’s a lack of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, essential components that help transport oxygen from the lungs to organs and tissues throughout the body. This results in a low supply of oxygen and can lead to feelings of fatigue or weakness. If left untreated, anemia can lead to more serious health issues, including severe tiredness that limits daily activities, complications during pregnancy, or heart problems.

Anemia has a variety of causes and may be treated by primary care physicians, hematologists, cardiologists, or gastroenterologists depending on the underlying health issue. At Penn Medicine Hematology, our physicians have experience treating different types of anemia and offer specialized treatments to relieve your symptoms and restore your health.

Anemia symptoms vary from person to person. Mild cases of anemia may initially have no noticeable symptoms, though symptoms can increase in severity as the condition progresses. If left untreated, anemia can lead to various health issues, including severe tiredness that limits daily activities, complications during pregnancy, or heart problems.

Early symptoms of anemia include:

• Feeling tired or weak
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Irritability, or trouble concentrating
• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet

As anemia worsens, symptoms may escalate to include:

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Blue discoloration in the whites of the eyes
• Brittle nails
• Pale or yellowing skin, resembling jaundice
• Loss of libido
• A desire to eat non-food items (pica syndrome)
• An inflamed or sore tongue
• Mouth ulcers
• Severe fatigue
• Worsening shortness of breath

Various factors contribute to different types of anemias. While some are beyond your control, such as family history or the natural aging process, others are manageable through lifestyle choices and health interventions.

Some causes and risk factors for anemia include:

• Acute or chronic blood loss
• Autoimmune disorders
• Bone marrow problems
• Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs
• Chronic diseases like kidney disease or cancer
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Family history (for inherited conditions like thalassemia or sickle cell anemia)
• Immune system-related destruction of red blood cells
• Inadequate intake of essential nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid
• Insufficient hemoglobin or red blood cell production

There are a wide range of treatments for anemia depending on your specific diagnosis, and whether it’s hereditary or acquired. Some types of anemia can be addressed through dietary adjustments or medications, while others require additional treatment. It’s important that you work with the appropriate specialist – which may include a primary care doctor, hematologist, cardiologist, or gastroenterologist – to get the treatment you need.

At Penn Medicine, our anemia specialists can help uncover the cause of your anemia with precision. Once we’ve pinpointed a diagnosis, we can create an individualized treatment plan for you. We focus on early detection and intervention to treat your symptoms and help you avoid serious complications, so you can regain your health and return to your regular activities quickly.