What Is Anemia?

Anemia refers to a red blood cell count that is below normal. While white blood cells fight infection, red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When red blood cell levels drop too low, the body feels tired due to lack of oxygen. Hence, someone with anemia is often referred to as having “tired blood.”

Any process that can disrupt the normal life span of a red blood cell may cause anemia. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Normal life span of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days.

Anemia is caused essentially through two basic pathways. Anemia is either caused:

• By a decrease in production of red blood cell or hemoglobin, or
• By a loss or destruction of blood.

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Palpitations (feeling of the heart racing or beating irregularly)
• Looking pale