Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Anemia

Anemia

Condition Basics

What is anemia?

Having anemia means you don't have enough red blood cells. Your body needs these cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Anemia is fairly common. It's often easily treated. Sometimes, though, it's serious.

What causes it?

There are three main reasons why you might get anemia:

  • You lose too much blood.
  • Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells.
  • You have a disease or other problem that destroys red blood cells.

Losing too much blood

This is a common cause of anemia, especially for women who have heavy bleeding during their periods.

It can also happen with ulcers or other problems that cause bleeding inside the body.

Not making enough red blood cells

A balanced diet usually provides the vitamins and minerals your body needs to make red blood cells. You might get anemia if your food doesn't include enough iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin C.

A pregnant woman needs to make extra red blood cells for the growing baby. So anemia during pregnancy is common.

Sometimes a long-term disease keeps your body from making enough red blood cells. Examples include kidney disease, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

Destroying too many red blood cells

Red blood cells last about 4 months. That's why your body needs to keep making new ones. But there are some problems that can destroy red blood cells sooner than that.

For example, diseases like sickle cell disease and thalassemia destroy red blood cells. And some medical treatments, like chemotherapy, can destroy red blood cells.

What are the symptoms?

When you have anemia, you may feel dizzy, tired, and weak. You may also feel your heart pounding or feel short of breath. It may be hard to focus and think clearly.

How is it diagnosed?

A blood test, sometimes done as part of a routine exam, will tell your doctor if you have anemia. Then your doctor will do other tests to figure out what's causing it.

How is anemia treated?

Sometimes all that's needed is a balanced diet. Some people need to take iron pills. Others may need a vitamin like folic acid or vitamin B12.

You may also get treatment for any problem that is causing the anemia, such as ulcers or a problem in the bone marrow.

People who are very anemic may need blood transfusions. They may need other treatments too, such as medicines to suppress the immune system.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 1995-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Related Links

Sickle Cell Disease Folate Deficiency Anemia Thalassemia Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia Complete Blood Count (CBC)

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details