Created with the patients’ well-being in mind, Anemia Watch reflects NAAC's mission to raise awareness about anemia among consumers, patients, and the people who treat them. Together, we can improve the lives of people living with anemia.
More About NAAC Causes, Symptoms & Anemia Basics
NAAC focuses on many common causes of anemia, including iron deficiencies, vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions. But there are other forms of anemia that can run in the family. These are described in the recent article Hereditary Causes of Anemia.
Listed below, we've also described how to work with your doctor in What is Anemia: Reporting Symptoms and Finding a Cause, asked Are Iron Injections Right for You?, and are proud to announce the release of the interactive tutorial now available on the website, titled Blood and Bone Marrow Basics.
Sometimes people can become anemic if they have a chronic condition, such as cancer or kidney disease. Other times, anemia can be caused by a hereditary condition that occurs because of small variations in a patient’s genes. In this case, some very specific flaws that are inherited from parents can lead to a person being inflicted with conditions like sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Fanconi anemia and others.
Are you feeling tired and run down? Has your doctor told you that you have anemia? If so, you may be wondering what this means and what you’ll need to do next. The answer is, it’s different depending on what may be causing you to feel tired, run down, or to be anemic. To help you recognize anemia before it becomes a serious burden, this article discusses the various symptoms you might experience, how to talk about these symptoms with your doctor, and some of the steps your doctor may follow to determine if your symptoms are related to anemia.
If you have an iron deficiency, your doctor may recommend you take an oral iron supplement and continue to monitor the iron levels in your body. If your iron levels do not improve, however, treatment with iron injections may be an option. Iron injections are generally given to patients with a severe iron deficiency or to those receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), but only your doctor can determine if they are right for you. To help you prepare for this discussion with your doctor, this article includes information about iron injections and treating iron deficiency and anemia.
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NAAC Announcements
This interactive patient education program gives basic information about blood, blood tests, and bone marrow tests. It explains the different types of blood cells, how they are made, and discusses some of the different types of blood tests and bone marrow tests your doctor might order. There are many blood tests that can help your doctor and healthcare providers diagnose and treat you better. Understanding the different types of cells in your blood and their function helps you better understand the purpose and results of those blood tests.
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The Thalassemia Action Group (TAG) will hold a one-day patient/family conference on October 24, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Ninth Cooley’s Anemia Symposium at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City, NY.
The Thalassemia Action Group is a national support group for thalassemia patients, sponsored by the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation. At the TAG conference, patients and family members will learn about the presentations and scientific advancements discussed during the four-day Cooley’s Anemia Symposium. Attendees will have the chance to hear experts speak on thalassemia, to ask questions, and to discuss the concerns that face those afflicted with thalassemia. For more information about the TAG conference, visit the official website of the Ninth Cooley’s Anemia Symposium.
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More Resources
Information Handouts - Educational sheets describing anemia caused by different conditions including: aging, cancer, diabetes, vitamin deficiency, chronic kidney disease and more
Frequently Asked Questions - Answers to patients' questions
Anemia Glossary - Definitions for medical terms about anemia
Feature Articles - Articles covering anemia-related information
Symptoms Quiz - Questionnaire to print and take to a physician
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