Anemia

Anemia is commonly associated with low iron levels in the blood, but it is actually a disorder caused by a lower than normal amount of red blood cells or the protein within them known as hemoglobin. If the overall red blood cell count or hemoglobin level is low, anemia results and this makes the job of getting oxygen around the body challenging. Sometimes these levels are low due to diet, metabolism or blood loss, there are many causes of anemia related to both acute and chronic health conditions, meaning it can be either a symptom or a disease on its own.

Signs and symptoms of anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath or a pale complexion, sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. The treatment depends on the cause of the anemia but if left untreated, serious medical complications can result up to and including death.