Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Diseases by System

Anemia

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/əˈniːmiə/nounCommon term

In medicine, anemia means: A condition in which the blood has too little hemoglobin or too few red cells, so less oxygen reaches the body's tissues.

In Turkish: anemi, kansızlık

How it is used

Doctors classify it by the size of the red cells (microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic) and by cause, such as iron deficiency, B12 deficiency or blood loss. Symptoms include tiredness, breathlessness and pale skin. Patients may say 'low iron'.

Example sentences

  1. Her blood count shows iron-deficiency anemia, so we need to find the source of blood loss.

  2. Anemia in pregnancy is common and is checked at the first antenatal visit.

Common collocations

  • iron-deficiency anemia
  • severe anemia
  • pernicious anemia
  • anemia of chronic disease
  • complete blood countA common blood test that measures the red cells, white cells, hemoglobin and platelets in a blood sample.
  • fatigueExtreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not go away with normal rest, often a symptom of illness or of treatment.
  • bleedingLoss of blood from a damaged blood vessel, either outside the body from a wound or inside the body, where it may not be seen.
  • blood transfusionThe giving of donated blood or blood products into a patient's vein, for example after heavy bleeding or for severe anemia.

More terms: Diseases by System

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.