Hospital Warns of Overlooked Symptom: Persistent Fatigue Could Indicate Blood Disorder
In a world where exhaustion is often attributed to busy schedules and stress, it's essential to be aware of the less obvious causes. One such cause could be blood disorders, which can manifest as persistent and unexplained fatigue.
Overtiredness, or persistent and unexplained fatigue, could be an early warning sign of an underlying blood disorder. According to experts, this fatigue can be caused by iron-deficiency anemia, heavy periods, or hidden internal bleeding. Another common culprit is a deficiency in Vitamin B12 and folate, which can impair red blood cell production and reduce oxygen delivery, leading to chronic tiredness.
Aplastic anemia, a condition where the body's bone marrow doesn't produce enough blood cells, is another potential cause of chronic tiredness. Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (wAIHA), a disorder where the body's immune system destroys red blood cells, can also cause profound fatigue.
Leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers can also lead to exhaustion by reducing healthy blood cells. These conditions can present with additional symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, bone pain, and persistent fever.
Other blood disorders, such as Thalassemia, a genetic condition that affects oxygen transport due to abnormal hemoglobin production, can also cause fatigue. Dizziness or light-headedness, unexplained weight loss, and pale or yellowish skin are other common symptoms accompanying overtiredness related to blood disorders.
It's important to note that unexplained bruising or bleeding can also be a symptom of blood disorders causing overtiredness. Shortness of breath during mild activity, irregular or rapid heartbeat, and swelling of both legs are other potential symptoms.
For individuals experiencing a combination of these symptoms, a medical evaluation is advisable to rule out hematological causes. The Hematology experts at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital encourage individuals to take simple blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), if they're feeling persistently tired. The hospital's Department of Hematology is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, allowing specialists to detect and treat blood disorders at the earliest stage.
In summary, the most common blood-related causes of persistent, unexplained fatigue are anemias—especially aplastic anemia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia—as well as blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. If fatigue is accompanied by other signs such as pale or yellow skin, shortness of breath, bone pain, or bruising, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for blood testing and diagnosis.
- Science has uncovered blood disorders as potential, less obvious causes of overtiredness or chronic fatigue.
- Iron-deficiency anemia, heavy periods, and hidden internal bleeding can lead to persistent fatigue, according to medical experts.
- Aplastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow doesn't produce enough blood cells, can also be a cause of chronic tiredness.
- Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (wAIHA), a disorder where the body's immune system destroys red blood cells, can cause profound fatigue.
- Leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers can lead to exhaustion by reducing healthy blood cells.
- Thalassemia, a genetic condition affecting oxygen transport due to abnormal hemoglobin production, can also cause fatigue.
- Symptoms accompanying overtiredness related to blood disorders include dizziness or light-headedness, unexplained weight loss, and pale or yellowish skin.
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding can also be a symptom of blood disorders causing overtiredness.
- Other potential symptoms include shortness of breath during mild activity, irregular or rapid heartbeat, and swelling of both legs.
- A medical evaluation is advisable for individuals experiencing a combination of these symptoms to rule out hematological causes.
- Hematology experts at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital encourage individuals to take simple blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), if they're feeling persistently tired.
- The hospital's Department of Hematology is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, allowing specialists to detect and treat blood disorders at the earliest stage.
