What is anemia?
Anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when there is not enough hemoglobin
in a person's blood. Hemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that makes
it possible for the blood to transport oxygen through the body. When a person
develops anemia, he or she is said to be "anemic."
There are a number of different types of anemia. Some types present only mild
health problems, while others are much more severe. Each type of anemia results
from one of these factors:
- The body cannot make enough hemoglobin
- The body makes hemoglobin, but the hemoglobin doesn't work right
- The body does not make enough red blood cells
- The body breaks down red blood cells too fast
What are the symptoms of anemia?
There a number of symptoms that are common to all types of anemia. They are:
- Feeling tired
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Feeling cold
What causes anemia?
A lack of iron in the body is the most common cause of anemia. This type of
anemia is called iron-deficiency anemia. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin.
Without the needed amount of iron, your body cannot make hemoglobin. Factors
that can decrease your body's stores of iron include:
- Blood loss (caused within the body by ulcers, some cancers, and
other conditions; and, in women, during monthly periods)
- An iron-poor diet
- An increase in the body's need for iron (in women, during
pregnancy)
Can iron-deficiency anemia be treated?
Yes. This type of anemia can be treated and cured. First, your health care
provider will determine if the anemia is being caused by a poor diet or a more
serious health problem. Then, you can be treated for both the anemia and its
cause. Iron-deficiency anemia is treated with:
- Iron supplements taken by the mouth
- Foods high in iron
What foods are high in iron?
The following foods are good sources of iron:
- Oysters
- Kidney beans
- Beef liver
- Tofu
- Beef (chuck roast, lean ground beef)
- Turkey leg
- Whole wheat bread
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Shrimp
- Peanut butter
- Leg-of-lamb
- Brown rice
- Raisin bran (enriched)
Who is most likely to develop iron-deficiency anemia?
Anyone can develop iron-deficiency anemia, although the following groups
have a higher risk:
- Women: Blood loss during monthly periods and childbirth
can lead to anemia.
- Children, ages 1 to 2: The body needs more iron during
growth spurts.
- Infants: Infants may get less iron when they are weaned
from breast milk or formula to solid food. Iron from solid food is not as
easily taken up by the body.
- People over 65: People over 65 are more likely to have
iron-poor diets.
- People on blood thinners: aspirin, Plavix®, Coumadin®, or heparin.