What is anemia?
Anemia is not having enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all your organs. Hemoglobin is the substance inside your red blood cells that actually carries the oxygen.
What causes anemia?
Causes of anemia include:
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Losing a lot of blood because of an injury, heavy menstrual periods, or GI or urinary tract problems (chronic bleeding)
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Not making enough red blood cells because your body lacks enough iron, vitamin B12, or folate, or because you have leukemia or another cancer
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Your body destroying too many red blood cells
What are the symptoms of anemia?
How do doctors tell if I have anemia?
How do doctors treat anemia?
If a health problem is causing your anemia, doctors treat that health problem. Treatment depends on the type of anemia you have. Doctors may treat anemia with:
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Iron supplements, taken as pills or by IV
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Other supplements, such as vitamin B12 or folate
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Transfusion of red blood cells, for severe anemia
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Medicine that causes your body to make more red blood cells
