Dear Reader,

Like a headache or fever, anemia is a symptom, not a disease. Defined as a subnormal level of hemoglobin or red blood cells, anemia can cause anything from mild dizziness during exercise to extreme, chronic fatigue, and even bleeding from mucous membranes. Like you, many people with anemia do not even notice any adverse affects. However, this doesn't necessarily mean you have nothing to worry about. Because the causes of anemia range from simple iron deficiency to internal bleeding, it may be indicative of a problem that will worsen if left untreated. The wisest plan would be to see a health care provider, who will first try to locate the cause and then, if necessary, provide further treatment.

For more information about anemia, try the following resources:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Information Center

InteliHealth: Home to Johns Hopkins Health Information

Mayo Clinic Health Oasis

MedicineNet

American Medical Association

Alice

Related Q&As

I was diagnosed with thalassemia, but I don't know what it is

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

How common is sickle cell anemia?

Iron deficiency

Constant fatigue — dietary or nutritional causes?