Anemia

What is anemia?

Anemia, the most common blood disorder, is a condition where you don’t have enough red blood cells pumping through your blood vessels. Red blood cells carry iron and hemoglobin, a protein that helps them deliver oxygen to all of your organs and tissues.

You can develop anemia because you:

• Don’t make enough hemoglobin
• Don’t make enough red blood cells
• Have enough hemoglobin, but it doesn’t function correctly
• Break down red blood cells rapidly
• Lose a lot of blood, often due to childbirth or an injury
• Don’t consume enough iron

There are several distinct types of anemia, including sickle-cell anemia and iron deficiency anemia. When you get your diagnosis at Hope Hematology & Oncology Associates LLC, Dr. Bajaj explains it to you in detail along with the causes behind it. She also describes your treatment options and works with you to develop a treatment plan. 

What are the symptoms of anemia?

Symptoms and complications may vary slightly between anemia types, but there are a few general symptoms that occur with all or almost all varieties. If you have anemia, you may experience:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chills
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Rapid heart rate
• Chest discomfort
• Pale or dry skin
• Restless leg syndrome
• A sore tongue

Beyond its typical symptoms, long-term anemia can lead to health complications that are more concerning. Anemia can lead to heart issues such as an enlarged heart or heart failure. Specific types of anemia have their own complications too. For example, if you have sickle cell anemia, you’re at risk for developing lung complications. 

How is anemia treated?

At Hope Hematology & Oncology Associates LLC, Dr. Bajaj treats all types of anemia using individualized care plans addressing your unique needs. She diagnoses the condition using a blood test called a complete blood count, which assesses the amounts of each cell type in your blood. 

There are many treatments available for anemia and its underlying causes. Most of them aim to increase iron in your system or multiply the number of red blood cells your body makes. 

Your treatment may be specific to the type of anemia you have. For example, you can manage iron deficiency anemia by taking iron supplements or vitamin deficiency anemia by taking other dietary supplements. 

Other types of anemia may involve much more intensive therapies like blood transfusions, bone marrow transfusions, or oxygen therapy.

For an anemia evaluation, call Hope Hematology & Oncology Associates LLC or request an appointment online today.