Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to carry sufficient oxygen to tissues and organs for normal functioning. It can occur due to nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, blood loss, genetic conditions, or problems in red blood cell production and survival.
Common symptoms include tiredness, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and pale skin, and it is usually diagnosed through a haemoglobin blood test.
Living with anemia can feel like carrying an invisible weight. You are present, but not at full capacity. Everyday tasks take more effort. Energy dips without warning, and what feels manageable one day can feel overwhelming the next.
But anemia does not have to define daily life. With the right awareness and timely care, that weight can be lifted. When your body gets what it truly needs, energy returns, clarity improves, and life begins to feel like yours again.
Anemia is a major global health concern affecting people across all age groups. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2021, around 24.3% of the global population. Severe anaemia was 0.9%, moderate anaemia 9.3%, and mild anaemia 14.1%.[5]
In India, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reported anemia in 57% of women and 25% of men aged 15–49 years, while prevalence among older adults ranged between 52% and 68%. Anemia can significantly impact daily life by causing fatigue, weakness, reduced physical capacity, poor concentration, and shortness of breath. If left untreated, severe anemia may affect heart health, pregnancy outcomes, growth, and overall quality of life.[6]
Anemia can develop when the body is unable to maintain healthy red blood cells or enough haemoglobin. Common causes include:
Anemia develops when the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells, loses blood, or destroys red blood cells too quickly. This reduces the body's ability to carry oxygen properly. Anemia mainly occurs in three ways:
