What is Anemia

A person with anemia has weak blood. This happens when red blood cells are lost or destroyed faster than the body can replace them. Because women lose blood during their monthly bleeding, anemia is often found in women who are between puberty and menopause. About half of the world’s pregnant women are anemic, because they need to make extra blood for the growing baby.

Anemia is a serious illness. It makes a woman more likely to get other kinds of diseases, and affects her ability to work and learn. Anemic women are more likely to bleed heavily or even die during childbirth.

What are Signs of Anemia?

• pale inner eyelids, nails and inside of lip
• weakness and feeling very tired
• dizziness, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position
• fainting (loss of consciousness)
• shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en010415