VARIOUS TYPES OF ANEMIA
THE SYMPTOMS OF ANEMIA VARY ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF ANEMIA, THE UNDERLYING CAUSE, AND ANY UNDERLYING HEALTH PROBLEMS, SUCH AS HEMORRHAGING, ULCERS, MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS, OR CANCER. SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS OF THOSE PROBLEMS MAY BE NOTICED FIRST.
The body also has a remarkable ability to compensate for early anemia. If your anemia is mild or has 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
People with an iron deficiency may experience these symptoms:
• A 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 B12 Deficiency
People whose anemia is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B12 may have these symptoms:
• A tingling, "pins and needles" sensation in the hands or feet
• Lost 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
Chronic lead poisoning may lead to these symptoms:
• 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
Anemia caused by chronic red blood cell destruction may include these symptoms:
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
• Brown or red urine
• Leg ulcers
• Failure to thrive in infancy
• Symptoms of gallstones
Sickle Cell Anemia
Symptoms of sickle cell anemia may include:
• 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
Symptoms of anemia caused by sudden red blood cell destruction may include:
• Abdominal pain
• Brown or red urine
• Jaundice (yellow skin)
• Small bruises under the skin
• Seizures
• Symptoms of kidney failure
