Definition: Anemia is a condition in which the blood's capacity for transporting oxygen to the tissues is reduced because of a lack of hemoglobin (the complex molecule within red blood cells which carries oxygen). Symptoms of anemia can include shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, feeling cold all the time, a rapid pulse, palpitations, and headaches.
There are different types of anemia, related to different causes. In patients with celiac disease, the most common type is iron-deficiency anemia. You can learn more about iron-deficiency anemia by reading Anemia and Celiac Disease.
Other types of anemia are aplastic anemia, Fanconi anemia, anemia of folate deficiency, pernicious anemia (also called megaloblastic anemia), hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, and anemia of chronic disease.
Sources:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Diseases and Conditions Index
University of Virginia Health System
Weiss G, Goodnough LT. Anemia of chronic disease. New England Journal of Medicine 2005; 352:1011-1023.
Pronunciation: uh-NEE-mee-uh
