What is chronic anemia?
Disease description:
My girlfriend often feels dizzy and has headaches, and she can hardly participate in physical exercise. Today I took her to the hospital for a checkup, and they told me she has anemia. I would like to ask, what are the causes of long-term anemia?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Chronic anemia refers to a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the level of hemoglobin in the blood remains persistently below the normal range. Possible causes include:
1. Malnutrition: Deficiency in essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid can affect red blood cell production.
2. Chronic diseases: Conditions such as chronic kidney disease and inflammatory bowel disease may impair the body's ability to absorb iron or produce red blood cells.
3. Genetic factors: Hereditary blood disorders such as thalassemia can lead to insufficient numbers or abnormal morphology of red blood cells.
4. Chronic blood loss: Conditions such as peptic ulcer disease or excessive menstrual bleeding can result in excessive loss of blood.
Chronic anemia may cause symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations, and can even affect heart function. Treatment depends on the specific underlying cause, such as supplementation with iron or vitamins.
