Anemia

In Western medical science, anemia is defined as a condition characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells (RBCs) and a corresponding decrease in hemoglobin concentration. It is further classified into three categories—microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic—and five types, including iron deficiency, pernicious, aplastic, sickle cell, and hemolytic anemia (Camaschella, 2015, New England Journal of Medicine; FDA Guidelines).

In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views anemia as a deficiency in blood and essence, ascribing it to blood stagnation and diminished energy in the heart and spleen (Xue et al., 2016, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences; NIH Research). These divergent frameworks offer unique diagnostic criteria and therapeutic modalities, highlighting the multifaceted etiological landscape of anemia (WHO Recommendations; USDA Guidelines). The complexity of anemia's etiology necessitates integrated, evidence-based research for a more comprehensive understanding and management of the condition (NIH Clinical Trials).