General Nursing©

ANEMIA

Increased destruction of red blood cells in the body (hemolysis):

• Inherited (genetic) conditions, such as sickle cell disease (sickle cell anemia)
• Conditions where the body's defenses (immune system) cause destruction of red blood cells
• Usually, Anemia is the result, or a symptom of, a more chronic pre-existing medical condition.

Symptoms:

Symptoms appear in a number of different forms and are dependent on the severity of the Anemia, the speed at which the Anemia develops, and any other diseases which may already be present (such as heart or lung disease).

Some of the more common symptoms include:

• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Paleness
• Mouth sores
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Brittle nails
• Decreased/irregular heartbeat
• Weakness and general fatigue

Some people have no symptoms at all.

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