Topic 12: Anaemia

237. What is anaemia? 

Answer: A condition in which haemoglobin concentration is below the normal range for the person, reducing the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. 

238. What are the common signs and symptoms of anaemia? 

Answer: Fatigue, pallor, breathlessness, dizziness, headache and palpitations. 

239. Why can anaemia cause fatigue and breathlessness? 

Answer: Reduced haemoglobin lowers oxygen delivery to tissues, making physical activity more difficult and causing breathlessness. 

240. Why may anaemia cause tachycardia? 

Answer: The heart may beat faster to compensate for reduced oxygen delivery by increasing blood flow to tissues.