Anemia is one of the most common blood disorders and occurs when the red blood cell (RBCs) count circulating in the body reduces. Often, this disorder is related to other health conditions that interfere with the body’s capability to produce healthy RBCs or increase the loss or breakdown of these cells.

Some of the common symptoms of anemia include the following:

• Insomnia
• Easy fatigue and loss of energy
• Cramps in the legs
• Unusually quick heartbeat especially while exercising
• Paleness in the skin
• Headache and shortness of breath
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Difficulties in concentration
• Chest pain

Several reasons cause anemia, and their symptoms differ as per their cause. These causes and symptoms are explained below:

Iron deficiency anemia symptoms

• A disorder known as pica, where you may crave unusual things like ice, paper, or dirt
• Mouth soreness with cracks appearing in the corners
• Koilonychias resulting in the nails curving upwards

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia symptoms

• Dementia
• Tingling in the feet or hands
• Stiffness and clumsiness of the arms and legs
• Loss of sense of touch
• Difficulty in walking or a wobbling gait

Symptoms of anemia resulting due to chronic lead poisoning

• Vomiting
• The appearance of lead lines, blue-black lines on the gums
• Constipation
• Pain the abdominal region

Anemia resulting from severe red blood cell destruction

• Gallstones symptoms
• Yellowing of eyes and skin (jaundice)
• Failure to grow properly
• Red or brown urine
• Ulcers in the legs

Sickle cell anemia symptoms

• Episodes of chronic pain especially in the limbs, joints, and abdominal region
• Extreme fatigue
• Delay in the growth and development of children
• Easy susceptibility to infections

Anemia resulting from sudden destruction of red blood cell 

• Kidney failure symptoms
• Pain in the abdominal areas
• Seizures
• Red or brown urine
• Small bruises beneath the skin
• Jaundice

Aplastic anemia

• Skin rashes
• Fever
• Frequent infections

Folic acid deficiency resulting in anemia symptoms

• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Smooth tongue

Symptoms of hemolytic anemia 

• Pain in the abdominal region
• Dark urine
• Jaundice
• Fever

It is essential to consult a doctor in case you notice any of the following points.

• Persistent tiredness, rapid heart rate, breathlessness, or skin paleness
• Inadequate intake of minerals and vitamins or poor dietary habits
• Concern about being exposed to environmental lead
• Extremely heavy loss of blood during the menstrual cycle
• Growth of an ulcer, colorectal cancer, tarry or bloody stools, hemorrhoids, or gastritis

This disorder may affect patients of any age, gender, and ethnicity. Some of the factors that increase the risk of anemia include the following:

• Premature birth
• Menstruating
• Suffering from a chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, kidney or liver disorder, AIDS, heart failure, or diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Heavy blood loss due to a surgery or trauma
• Having a poor diet lacking in iron, minerals, and vitamins
• Family history of sickle cell anemia or thalassemia
• An intestinal disorder like Crohn’s disease that reduces the absorption of vital nutrients
• Regular medications that result in inflammation of the stomach lining

It is recommended to not take the symptoms of anemia lightly but to consult a doctor as soon as they are observed.