Anemia

Anemia services offered in Wantagh and Malverne, NY

Around 3 million Americans suffer from some form of anemia, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island in Wantagh and Malverne, New York, gastroenterologists Jeffrey Novak, MD, and Zachary Marwil, MD, diagnose and treat the underlying cause of anemia. Call Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is anemia?

Anemia is diagnosed when your body doesn’t create enough healthy red blood cells. The primary role of red blood cells is to produce oxygen-rich blood. Without enough of these cells, your body doesn’t get the oxygen it needs to function.

Many cases of anemia are mild, but some are severe enough to affect your daily life. It can make you weak, tired, or dizzy. While anemia often gets better over time, it can become chronic.

What are the symptoms of anemia?

Anemia symptoms vary depending on how severe the condition is and which type you have. Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia typically include:

Fatigue
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Pale skin
Cold fingers or toes
Chest pain
Headaches
Brittle nails

The symptoms of anemia can come and go but tend to get worse and remain constant without effective treatment.

What causes anemia?

Many gastrointestinal conditions diminish your small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to anemia. These conditions include:

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic illness that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, usually affecting the small intestine. Anemia can develop when your small intestine can’t absorb the nutrients your body needs.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that prevents your body from processing gluten, a protein in wheat and some other grains. Because the small intestine is responsible for processing gluten and absorbing iron, celiac disease can lead to iron deficiency anemia.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes ulcers (open sores) to develop in the large intestine. This disease often causes rectal bleeding and bloody stools, which can cause you to lose red blood cells.

Your gastroenterologist at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island does comprehensive testing to determine the cause of anemia.

How is anemia diagnosed?

Diagnosing anemia typically involves a medical history review and physical exam. Your physician asks questions about your symptoms before ordering bloodwork. A complete blood count (CBC) is the most effective tool to evaluate your red blood cell count.

Sometimes, your gastroenterologist will order additional testing to assess the shape and size of your red blood cells.

How is anemia treated?

If you have iron-deficiency anemia caused by a poor diet or an underlying gastrointestinal condition, like ulcerative colitis, your physician could recommend: