Overview
Anaemia — commonly called "low blood" — means the blood has too few healthy red cells to carry oxygen, leaving you tired, weak and pale. In Nigeria the usual culprits are iron deficiency, malaria, heavy periods, pregnancy demands and sickle cell disease. Finding the cause matters as much as topping up the blood.
Symptoms
- Tiredness and weakness
- Paleness of palms, inner eyelids or tongue
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Headaches
- Cravings for non-food items like clay or ice (severe iron deficiency)
Causes & risk factors
- Iron-poor diet or poor iron absorption
- Blood loss from heavy periods, ulcers or hookworm
- Malaria destroying red cells
- Pregnancy without supplementation
- Inherited conditions such as sickle cell disease
Treatment & self-care
Treatment targets the cause — iron-rich foods and prescribed iron supplements for deficiency, treating malaria or worms, and managing heavy periods. Severe anaemia may need hospital care or transfusion. A simple blood test (PCV or full blood count) guides the plan; do not just take "blood tonics" indefinitely without a diagnosis.
See a doctor urgently if
- Severe weakness, fainting or breathlessness at rest
- Paleness with a racing heart
- Anaemia symptoms in pregnancy
- Black stools or any ongoing bleeding