Anemia: Causes, Diagnosis, Classification, Treatment

Signs and symptoms of anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen. Symptoms can develop either slowly (chronic) or quickly (acute). With slow onset, the body may partially compensate, so symptoms may be vague or absent until anemia becomes more severe. Common general symptoms of mild anemia include tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, and pale or yellowish skin. When anemia is acute, often due to blood loss, symptoms tend to be more severe and may include rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, feeling like one is going to pass out, loss of consciousness, and increased thirst. Additional signs may reflect the body’s attempt to maintain oxygen delivery, such as palpitations and angina (in people with pre-existing heart disease). In severe anemia, findings can include tachycardia, bounding pulse, flow murmurs, and signs of hyperdynamic circulation; pallor may be visible in areas like the palms and fingernail beds (though it can be harder to detect in darker skin tones). Other symptoms vary with the underlying cause—for example, chronic iron-deficiency anemia may be associated with spoon-shaped nails, sore or smooth tongue, hair loss, or pica, while vitamin B12 deficiency anemia may be linked to anxiety, confusion, memory loss, and depression.

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Acute versus chronic symptom patterns

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