Anaemia

When the concentration of haemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells (erythrocytes), is reduced, doctors speak of anaemia. Haemoglobin is needed to transport oxygen. Signs of a possible anaemia are:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Palpitations
• Feeling of weakness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Paleness (skin and mucous membranes)

Although it always presents itself in the same way, anaemia can have a wide variety of causes. Based on its trigger, several forms are distinguished:

Too little production or abnormal erythrocytes due to

• Folic acid deficiency anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia
• Renal anemia (renal insufficiency)
• Cancer affecting the bone marrow (leukemia, metastases from other tumors)
• Infections and inflammations affecting the bone marrow
• Genetic blood formation disorders (e.g. thalassemia, sideroachrestic anemia)

Loss of erythrocytes due to

• Bleeding (also menstruation)
• Increased degradation (haemolysis) due to enzyme defects, drugs, chemicals

Disturbance in distribution of sufficient blood volume due to

• Pregnancy
• Hypersplenism (very enlarged spleen)

Combined or unclear causes

• Chronic diseases
• Metabolic diseases (endocrine)

Adult women are affected far more often (14%) than men (only 1%).

Two-thirds of anemias are caused by iron deficiency. The second most common cause is infection (e.g. from bacteria, viruses, fungi, cancer, autoimmune diseases and heart disease).