The symptoms of anemia vary according to the type of anemia, the underlying cause, and any underlying health problems. Anemia may be associated with other medical conditions such as hemorrhage, ulcers, menstrual problems or cancer -- and specific symptoms of those conditions may be noticed first.
The body also has a remarkable ability to compensate for early anemia. If your anemia is mild or developed over a long period of time, you may not notice any symptoms.
Symptoms common to many types of anemia include the following:
Easy fatigue and loss of energy
Unusually rapid heart beat, particularly with exercise
Shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise
Difficulty concentrating
Dizziness
Pale skin
Leg cramps
Insomnia
Other symptoms are associated with specific forms of anemia.
Anemia caused by iron deficiency:
Hunger for strange substances such as paper, ice, or dirt (a condition called pica).
Upward curvature of the nails referred to as koilonychias.
Soreness of the mouth with cracks at the corners.
Anemia caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency:
A tingling, "pins and needles" sensation in the hands or feet.
Loss of sense of touch.
A wobbly gait and difficulty walking.
Clumsiness and stiffness of the arms and legs.
Dementia
Hallucinations, paranoia and schizophrenia.
Anemia caused by chronic lead poisoning:
A blue-black line on the gums referred to as a lead line.
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Vomiting
Anemia caused by chronic red blood cell destruction:
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Brown or red urine
Leg ulcers
Failure to thrive in infancy
Symptoms of gallstones
Sickle cell anemia:
Fatigue
Susceptibility to infection
Delayed growth and development in children
Episodes of severe pain, especially in the joints, abdomen and limbs
Anemia caused by sudden red blood cell destruction:
Abdominal pain
Brown or red urine
Jaundice (yellow skin)
Small bruises under the skin
Seizures
Symptoms of kidney failure
Call Your Doctor If:
Call your doctor if you notice any of these signs or symptoms of anemia.
Persistent fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, pale skin, or any other symptoms of anemia
Poor diet or inadequate dietary intake of vitamins and minerals
Very heavy menstrual periods
Symptoms of an ulcer, gastritis, hemorrhoids, or colorectal cancer
Concern about environmental exposure to lead
A hereditary anemia runs in your family and you would like genetic counseling before having a child
Women considering pregnancy -- your doctor will likely recommend that you begin taking supplements, especially folate, even before conception. These supplements benefit both mother and baby.
Source of information: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-anemia-symptoms
No comments:
Post a Comment