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Anemia Specialist in Knoxville, TN

Anemia Symptoms:
Chest Pain
Abdominal Pain
Shortness of Breath
Sore Tongue
Palpitations
Brittle Nails
Dizziness
What is Anemia?

Anemia is when a patient has low hemoglobin or inadequate red blood cell count from numerous possible causes, but not limited to:

  • Blood loss
  • Nutritional deficiency
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Bone marrow dysfunction
  • Kidney disease

Blood loss can be caused by conditions such as colon cancer, stomach cancer, ulcers anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, or other sites of obscured bleeding, such as from arterial venous malformations.

If a person has trouble with malapsorption from conditions such as celiac disease, which interferes with iron absorption, the lack of nutrients may result in anemia as well as vitamin B12, folate, zinc, or iron deficiency.

Disease of the bone marrow, including leukemia and infiltrative disease such as cancer or amaroid, may result in anemia. This can also result in abnormal red blood cells, which are destroyed once they’ve been made and released into your bloodstream. The destruction of these cells is called hemolytic anemia, and this can occur from drugs and medical conditions like hemolytic uremic syndrome.

What are the symptoms of anemia?

Due to there being fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, anemia may cause symptoms such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sore tongue
  • Brittle nails

Some patients may also experience cravings for unusual foods, such as ice.

How is Anemia diagnosed?

Anemia is diagnosed by a combination of tests including labs, endoscopy, X-rays such as CT scans, or bleeding scans. Stool cards can test stool for the presence of blood, and CologuardⓇ testing looks for evidence of DNA from precancerous polyps or colon cancer.

How is Anemia treated?

Anemia is treated by defining the cause of the anemia and treating the underlying cause. Peptic ulcer disease may require medicines or thermal ablation, while other sites of bleeding in the GI tract may require endoscopic or radiographic intervention as well.

Blood transfusions may be necessary in the most severe form of anemia in order to get the blood count high enough to prevent other complications, such as stroke or heart attack. Iron supplementations helps to replace low iron levels, and this can be given by mouth or intravenously.

Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron, so vitamin C is often given with iron supplementations. Use of antacid and acid suppressant medicines, including both H2 blockers (PepcidⓇ, ZantacⓇ) and proton pump inhibitors (PrilosecⓇ, NexiumⓇ) can interfere with iron absorption.

To arrange a consultation where you can discuss any symptoms of Anemia, call Edmunds Gastroenterology today.