What is anaemia?

Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells (a component of red blood cells) that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Anaemia is a condition that occurs when haemoglobin (Hb) levels are low or lower than normal, specifically when levels are below 13 g/dL in men and 12 g/dL in women.

The symptoms of anaemia are fatigue, exercise intolerance, headache, breathing difficulties, tachycardia, dizziness, nausea, weight loss, decreased libido, and difficulty maintaining attention.

Likewise, anaemia can be a symptom, in other words, a temporary condition resulting from other health conditions; or it can be a chronic problem, resulting from a permanent disorder that causes this deficiency.

-Iron deficiency anaemia-

The most common type of anaemia is iron deficiency anaemia, which occurs when there is a deficiency of iron (Fe). The main causes of the deficit may be an increase in demand (periods of rapid growth – childhood and adolescence), an increase in losses (women of childbearing age) or inadequate intake (malnutrition, malabsorption secondary to various pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease or Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric resections or drug interactions - e.g. antacids).

In these cases, anaemia may be:

• Mild anaemia. People with mild anaemia may have no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
• Severe anaemia. People with severe anaemia may have problems that prevent them from carrying out normal activities, feel tired or, depending on the severity, may have difficulty breathing.

Studies have shown that anaemia is present in a very high percentage of patients prior to surgery. After surgery, anaemia increases, especially in patients who are more fragile or who have undergone high-risk or trauma surgery.