Anemia means that either your red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells is low. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen in your red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia are tiredness, weakness, and paleness. Paleness could be pale skin. It could also be paleness around the gums, nailbeds, or the linings of the lower eyelids.
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. In the United States, 20 percent of all women of childbearing age have iron-deficiency anemia (compared to 2 percent of adult men). The primary cause is blood lost during menstruation. But eating too few iron-rich foods or not absorbing enough iron can make the problem worse. Pregnancy, breast-feeding a baby, and blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract (either due to ulcers or cancer) can also deplete iron stores. Older persons who have poor diets, especially when they live alone, often have iron-deficiency anemia.
Folic-acid deficiency anemia is another type of anemia. It occurs when folic-acid levels are low. Not enough folic acid in the diet and/or poor absorption leads to this type. The need for this vitamin more than doubles during pregnancy. Folic acid may prevent certain birth defects such as spina bifida if taken before conception and in the early months of pregnancy.
Other less common forms of anemia include pernicious anemia (inability of the body to properly absorb vitamin B12), sickle cell anemia (see Sickle Cell Disease), and thalassemia anemia (an inherited disorder).
Alcohol, certain medicines, and some chronic diseases can also cause anemia.
Do you have blood in your stools or urine or have black, tarlike
stools, with these problems? Light headedness Weakness Shortness of breath Severe abdominal pain |
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| Are you dizzy when you stand up or when you exert yourself? |
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| After repeated use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), do you have these signs of a bleeding ulcer? Bloody, black, or tarry stools Gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen |
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| For Women: Do you have vaginal bleeding between
periods? Has menstrual bleeding been heavy for
several months? Do you normally bleed 7 days or more every
month? Do you suspect that you are pregnant? |
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| Do symptoms of anemia (paleness, tiredness, listlessness and
weakness) persist despite using Self-Care Tips (listed below) for at least 2 weeks? |
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Tips for Getting and Absorbing Iron
Eat foods that are good sources of
iron. Concentrate on green, leafy vegetables, lean, red meat, beef liver, poultry, fish,
wheat germ, oysters, dried fruit, and iron-fortified cereals. {Note:
Red meat not only supplies a good amount of iron, it also increases absorption of iron
from other food sources.}
Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus
fruits, tomatoes, and strawberries. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron from food.
If you drink tea, drink it between meals.
Tannins in tea inhibit iron absorption or add milk to the tea. The calcium in milk
binds with the tannins. (Herbal tea does not have tannins.)
Take an iron supplement. But check with
your doctor first. {Note: Recent research is suggesting that high
levels of iron in the blood may increase the risk for heart attacks.}
Avoid antacids, phosphates (which are found
in soft drinks, beer, ice cream, etc.), and the food additive EDTA. These block iron
absorption.
Tips for Getting and Absorbing Folic Acid
Eat good food sources of
folic acid every day. Some good sources are asparagus, brussels sprouts, spinach, romaine
lettuce, collard greens, and broccoli. Other good sources are black-eyed peas, cantaloupe,
orange juice, oatmeal, whole-grain cereals, wheat germ, and liver and other organ meats.
Eat fresh, raw fruits and vegetables often.
Don't overcook food. Heat destroys folic acid.
Take the daily vitamin supplement your
doctor suggests or prescribes.
Don't smoke.
Don't drink alcohol. It interferes with
absorption of folic acid.
Tips for Getting B12
Eat animal sources of food - lean
meat, fish, poultry, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products. Some cereals also have vitamin
B12 added to them. {Note: The
usual cause of a B12 deficiency is not a lack of it in
the diet but the inability to absorb it from food. The cause for this needs to be
identified and treated. Some persons may need to get monthly B12
shots.}
Strict vegetarians (vegans) who eat no
animal sources of food should get vitamin B12 from a
supplement or foods fortified with the vitamin.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/20/99