Introduction
Anemia (anemia: an = not,=blood) is a reduction in the red blood pigment (hemoglobin), the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) or the proportion of cells in the blood (hematocrit). Anaemia is when the haemoglobin drops below 13 g/dl in men or 12 g/dl in women. Alternatively, anaemia is present if the haematocrit is below 42% in men or below 38% in women.
There is no precise age limit for the use of the term “anaemia in old age”. In most cases, this refers to people beyond retirement age. With increasing age, the proportion of affected persons suffering from anaemia rises continuously. Anaemia does not always have a disease value, but it should always be investigated to exclude treatable underlying diseases.
Recognizing anemia in old age
The typical symptoms of anemia include paleness of the skin and mucous membranes. In addition, a general weakness, a reduction in performance and increased fatigue can occur. Other symptoms may also occur, such as headaches, frequently tearing corners of the mouth (mouth rhagades), an increased heart rate and poor concentration.
All these symptoms are very unspecific and can point to many different diseases. Particularly in old age, the symptoms are often only mild. Particularly in the case of chronic anaemia in old age, the complaints are often not noticed by the persons concerned.
Moreover, the symptoms can quickly be confused with general signs of old age. Anemia in old age is therefore often a diagnosis that occurs by chance. Further indications of anaemia in old age can be the consequences of anaemia: The reduced number of red blood cells and red blood pigment leads to an overall decrease in the state of health.
The risk of falling increases, while mobility is reduced, for example by a shorter walking distance and less strength. The memory can also suffer from anemia, affected persons become forgetful more quickly, and the risk of dementia also increases. Bone density can also be reduced by anaemia in old age.
Anemia can also affect mood and can lead to depressive symptoms. Tiredness and exhaustion, together with a general reduction in performance, are common symptoms of anaemia in old age. The red blood pigment is responsible for oxygen transport in the blood.
If the capacity for oxygen transport is reduced due to anaemia, this can lead to a slight lack of oxygen in important organs. For example, less oxygen in the brain leads to a feeling of tiredness, and affected persons often yawn. In addition, the heart has to pump more strongly to supply all organs with sufficient oxygen.
This leads to general exhaustion and reduced physical performance. A chronic anaemia can also lead to slow chronic damage due to the slight lack of oxygen in the various organs. This is noticeable in the brain, for example, by a faster forgetfulness.
The muscles are also no longer as well supplied and break down more quickly, resulting in a greater decline in physical performance. We also recommend our page on: Symptoms of anaemiaThe diagnosis of anaemia is initially based on a well-founded suspicion. These can be, for example, blood in the stool, black-coloured stool, pronounced tiredness or paleness.
A blood test can then be performed. The main focus is on the red blood pigment (haemoglobin), the proportion of blood cells in the blood (haematocrit) and the red blood cells (erythrocytes). Anemia can be diagnosed by these three values alone.
To find the cause, the iron level and ferritin (transport protein for iron in the blood) should also be examined. It is also advisable to perform a gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy to find and treat sources of bleeding in the digestive tract. If this does not lead to an explanation for anaemia in old age, further diagnostic steps such as a bone marrow puncture with examination of blood formation can be carried out. Anaemia can manifest itself through various complaints.
All articles in this series:
