Anemia, a treatable disease that increases with age

Tiredness that doesn’t go away, weakness when walking or difficulty concentrating are not always “age things.” The Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy (SEHH) remembers that anemia is common, treatable and should never be normalized.

Anemia is a public health problem worldwide and affects millions of people. It is especially common in young children, women of childbearing age, pregnant women and the elderlybut it is still underdiagnosed.

At a global level, they present anemia up to 40% of children between 6 months and 4 yearshe 37% of pregnant women and the 30% of women from 15 to 49 years old. The most common cause is lack of ironknown as iron deficiency anemia.

Although it is usually associated with women and pregnancy, anemia It also affects men. In young men the frequency is between 5% and 6% and in it 50% in people over 80 years old.

“Anemia is not just a low number on an analysis; it is the manifestation that something is not working correctly in the body and its cause should always be investigated,” explains Marta Morado, hematologist expert in Erythropathology and medical director of the SEHH.

The key role of the hematologist

From the SEHH they insist that the hematologist is the reference specialist for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of anemia. “Beyond correcting the decline
of hemoglobin, the specialized approach allows us to identify the origin of the problem, which in our environment is frequently due to chronic bleeding, absorption problems either increased iron needsas happens during pregnancy or growth,” says the expert.

“Iron deficiency anemia is a progressive process. Iron deposits are first depleted and, if the cause is not corrected, anemia ends up appearing. Detecting it in time avoids complications and clearly improves the patient’s quality of life,” comments Dr. Morado.

Furthermore, not all anemias are due to iron. There are other causes, such as inflammatory, autoimmune, neoplastic diseases, spinal insufficiencies or congenital disorderswhich require a specialized approach.

Symptoms that should not be ignored

He persistent tirednessthe weaknessthe pallor wave lack of concentration They are common symptoms, but they are often accepted as normal, especially at advanced ages. However, anemia is one of the main causes of work absenteeism and functional limitationespecially in women.

For this reason, the SEHH insists on “the need to not normalizing fatiguego to the doctor if persistent symptoms occur and make an appropriate diagnosis, which includes the assessment of iron deposits and a study of the underlying cause.

A preventable, treatable and surmountable disease

The message that the SEHH launches for 2026 is clear: anemia is preventable, treatable and can be overcome. A balanced diet, medical control in people at risk and appropriate treatment, whether with oral or intravenous iron, allow the disease to be reversed and relapses to be avoided.

“Raising awareness is transforming information into action. A early diagnosis and correct treatment improve the quality of life and, in many cases, save lives,” concludes Marta Morado.