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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues. If you have anemia, you probably feel tired a lot.

There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe.

See your doctor if you suspect you have anemia, because anemia can be a sign of serious illnesses. Treatments for anemia range from taking supplements to undergoing medical procedures. You may be able to prevent some types of anemia by eating a healthy, varied diet.

References
  1. Anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_whatis.html. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
  2. Pernicious anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/prnanmia/prnanmia_all.html. Accessed Dec. 10, 2008.
  3. Schrier SL. Patient information: Iron deficiency anemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
  4. Schrier SL, et al. Anemia of chronic disease (anemia of chronic inflammation). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
  5. Schrier SL. Aplastic anemia: Pathogenesis; clinical manifestations; and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
  6. Schrier SL. Approach to the diagnosis of hemolytic anemia in the adult. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
  7. Hemolytic anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ha/ha_all.html. Accessed Dec. 10, 2008.
  8. Sickle cell anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ha/ha_all.html. Accessed Dec. 8, 2008.
  9. Schrier SL. Aplastic anemia: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
  10. Schrier SL. Causes and diagnosis of anemia due to iron deficiency. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
  11. Mechanisms of Anemia. In: Hoffman R et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/114764765-5/786318263/1267/208.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06628-0..50032-8--cesec2_821. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
  12. Linker CA. General Approach to Anemias. In: McPhee SJ et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009. 48th ed. San Francisco, Calif.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5476&searchStr=anemias. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.

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March 19, 2009

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