How is anemia diagnosed in older adults? can anemia cause upset stomach? what is treatment?

Anemia can be diagnosed easily with a simple blood test. Clinically, anemia has to be moderate to severe then you can look at the conjunctiva and make the tentative diagnosis but not a confirmed diagnosis. Anemia does not cause stomach upset or pain but stomach pain with gastroduodenal disease can cause anemia.

The treatment of anemia depends on the cause. Either one is losing blood ( example bloody stools), , not making blood ( x: iron or Vit B12 deficiency) or destroying blood ( ex: autoimmune hemolytic anemia ). As has been mentioned, anemia doesn't cause upset stomach but causes fatigue,shortness of breath with exertion,lightheadedness, etc.

I agree with Dr Le and Calentino, but will emphasize: Anemia with abdominal pain is suspicious for bleeding peptic ulcers. Talk to your doctor about: 1). PPI medications (e.g. omeprazole) 2). An upper endoscopy ** assuming you have ruled out common causes such as iron, B12, and folate.