Anemia

What is Anemia?

Anemia means your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen through your body, and without enough of them you may feel tired, weak, or short of breath.

Common Symptoms

You may notice one or more of these signs if you have anemia:

• Always feeling tired or fatigued
• Weakness or low energy
• Pale or yellow-looking skin
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• Headaches
• Fast or uneven heartbeat

Causes

Anemia can develop for many reasons, including:

• Iron deficiency - from not getting enough iron in your diet or losing blood
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) - reduced erythropoietin leads to low red blood cell production
• Sickle cell disease - an inherited disorder that changes red blood cell shape
• Cooley's anemia (beta-thalassemia) - a genetic blood disorder causing reduced hemoglobin
• Low vitamin B12 or folate - essential nutrients for red blood cell formation
• Blood loss - from ulcers, surgeries, heavy menstrual periods, or other injuries

Treatment Options for Anemia in Katy, TX

Treatment includes basic and advanced care:

• Iron therapy: Oral iron supplements or IV iron infusions to restore iron levels and improve red blood cell production.
• Vitamin B12 shots: Monthly injections to correct B12 deficiency and support healthy red blood cell formation.
• Nutrition plan: A balanced diet rich in iron (red meat, beans, spinach), folate (leafy greens, citrus), and B12 (eggs, dairy) to boost blood health.
• CKD-related anemia medications: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to stimulate red blood cell growth in chronic kidney disease patients.
• Blood transfusions: Rapidly increase red blood cell count for severe or symptomatic anemia under careful monitoring.
• Advanced therapies for sickle cell: Hydroxyurea to reduce crises and gene therapy options for eligible patients to target the root cause.