Based on analysis of web traffic, the most common questions that people ask about anemia are:
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What causes a person to become anemic?
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How serious is being anemic?
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How do you fix anemia?
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How can I tell if I am anemic?
In all the research that we’ve done on health conditions at Health Hippo, the online answers provided to consumers about these questions is some of the most troubling and sensationalized material. For instance, one of the most trafficked web pages is a piece called, “Can Anemia Kill You? Yes, It Can” on a website called Healthline. The piece then dives into some of the most technical and difficult-to-understand jargon about this health condition, with little explanatory context on this sensationalized headline. Over at WebMD, the “top pick” is headlined “8 Conditions Linked to Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)” and how it might be the cause anemia, and follows with similarly technical jargon. These are extreme and alarming approaches that, in our view at Health Hippo, manipulate your health questions and concerns.
So, let’s get to some brief - and accurate - answers to your questions that give you basic insight, all of which are further detailed here.
What causes a person to become anemic?
Anemia occurs for one or more of the following three reasons: (1) bleeding causes loss of red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced; (2) the body doesn’t make enough red blood cells; and/or (3) the body destroys red blood cells.
How serious is being anemic?
The specific cause of anemia must always be identified and, based on that cause, a determination can be made if anemia is mild, moderate, or severe.
How do you fix anemia?
The treatment of anemia is entirely dependent on its cause. Iron deficiency accounts for roughly half of all instances of anemia and, therefore, iron replacement is the most common treatment of anemia.
How can I tell if I am anemic?
A blood test will definitively determine if you are anemic based on the evaluation of various red blood cell measurements.
