What Are the Symptoms & Causes of Anemia?

Anemia is a blood disorder that may cause mild, temporary systems or symptoms that last for your entire lifetime, depending on the specific cause of your anemic condition. The causes of anemia include inherited disorders of your blood cells, chronic illnesses and deficiencies in your diet.

Fatigue

• Fatigue is the symptom you are most likely to experience if you have anemia. The physical tiredness may also be accompanied by cognitive difficulties.

Skin

• If you have anemia, your skin may be pale, especially on the palms of your hands, and you may also experience cold hands and feet.

Cardiac and Neurological

• Anemia may cause you to have cardiac and neurological symptoms, including pain in your chest, fast heartbeat, difficulty breathing, headaches and dizziness.

Mineral Deficiencies

• A lack of iron, folate, or Vitamin B12 may cause you to develop anemia as a result of slow red blood cells and hemoglobin in your blood.

Chronic Diseases

• If you have chronic diseases, such as Crohn's Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, kidney failure or HIV or AIDS, your body may not be able to produce enough red blood cells, resulting in anemia.

Sickle Cell Disease

• Sickle cell disease may cause you to develop anemia due to malformed that causes your red blood cells to die too early.

Blood Disorders

• Disorders of your blood or bones, such as autoimmune diseases, leukemia and myelodysplasia, may cause you to make fewer red blood cells and may cause those cells to die earlier than normal.