The complications of anemia are based on the type of anemia you have. There are six forms: iron deficiency, sickle cell, vitamin deficiency, thalassemia, anemia due to chronic disease and aplastic anemia. Some types of anemia can be managed by eating a healthy diet. Others require medical intervention and can be dangerous if left untreated.
Considerations
If you are anemic, you will not have sufficient hemoglobin or red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to the cells of your body. The lack of oxygen will likely make you feel tired. Your heart may beat too quickly and you may experience chest pain and dizziness. Lack of oxygen to your brain may make you feel confused, you may have headache and your hands and feet may always feel cold.
Heart Problems
Since you do not have adequate hemoglobin to transport oxygen to the cells in your body, your heart will need to work harder. You can experience an arrhythmia or irregular heart beat. Left untreated, your cardiac complications from anemia can progress to congestive heart failure or CHF. This is a serious condition requiring hospitalization and medical treatment. Left untreated, CHF can lead to chronic heart problems and even death.
Nerve Damage
Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerve function and regeneration. If you have anemia caused by vitamin deficiency, your vitamin B12 level is often affected. This type of anemia is known as pernicious anemia and can be managed by vitamin B12 injections and folic acid supplements. Adequate treatment will help restore your nerve function.
Treatment Complications
Some treatments for anemia can be dangerous. If your anemia is related to kidney disease, you may be treated with a popular medication called erythopoiesis-stimulating agents, or ESAs. A report published in "Bloomberg Businessweek" revealed an increased risk for stroke, thrombosis or blocked artery and heart attack for those patients using ESA to raise their hemoglobin to the highest levels. If your anemia requires blood transfusion, you run the risk of transfusion reaction or transfusion sickness if the match was problematic. The blood supply is usually safe, but there is a small chance of blood-borne diseases present in transfused blood.
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