Patient Education from University of Colorado Hospital

Living with Anemia

Living with anemia begins with promptly seeking diagnosis and treatment if you exhibit symptoms of the disorder, including:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness and chest pain
  • Pale skin
  • Cold feet and hands
  • Headache

Your doctor will be able to determine if you are anemic, and isolate any of several possible causes, including:

  • Lack of iron in the diet
  • Colon polyps (masses of swollen membrane or colon cancer)
  • Ulcers (a condition causing a breakdown of membrane and death of tissue)
  • Pregnancy
  • Lack of folic acid (a B complex vitamin) or vitamin B12
  • Inherited blood disorder

You may be able to alleviate the symptoms of mild anemia with exercise. However, more serious forms of the disorder can worsen other conditions and can be fatal if it is not treated.

Getting a Second Opinion About Anemia

A second opinion is worth considering if your doctor does not know why you are anemic, or feels that a treatment that should work, but is not doing so.

Additional Anemia Resources

Medline Plus: Anemia

Medline Plus: Anemia of chronic disease

Diamond Blackfan Anemia Support Group

Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation Inc.