What is anemia?
Anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood or a decrease in hemoglobin (the part of the red blood cell which carries oxygen).
What causes it?
Anemia may be caused by a large amount of blood loss, destruction of the red blood cells from cancer or other blood diseases, a decrease in the growth of cells in the bone marrow (from chemotherapy or radiation therapy), or lack of iron/vitamins in your diet.
Symptoms
- Pale skin
- Weakness, tiredness, drowsy, or dizzy
- Headache, ringing in your ears
- Trouble breathing or catching your breath especially with movement
- You may feel “racing heartbeats”, or chest pain (These are danger signals. Call your doctor immediately for racing heartbeat or chest pain)
Treatment
You may need to be given red blood cells into your vein (transfusion). Medication may be used to stimulate your bones to make more red blood cells. Your doctor will talk to you about what treatment you should receive.
Suggestions:
- Get up slowly from a lying or sitting position
- Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel faint
- Pace your activities with frequent rest periods
- Eat a balanced diet with increased protein and calories
- If you notice any new bleeding (black-colored stool, mouth/gum bleeding, blood in urine) or bruising, let your doctor or nurse know right away!
- Ask your nurse for the “fatigue” sheet for more ideas
Published April 2018
Stanford Health Care © 2018