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Anemia
Anemia is probably one of the most over-used medical terms today. Or is it?
If you are constantly feeling exhausted doctors will tell you that you might have
anemia. Anemia can be a tough diagnosis though. Some people are anemic
without any symptoms and others have all the symptoms without being anemic.
Symptoms or not, most people with anemia tend to have simple iron deficiency
anemia.
Your body uses iron to manufacture red blood cells. If your iron levels drop,
then your body loses its ability to manufacture red blood cells. The lower the number
of red blood cells, the lower the amount hemoglobin. As hemoglobin drops, the
ability of the blood to carry oxygen drops. In other words, with too little iron, you have
less hemoglobin, less oxygen and less energy. In other words, you have tired blood.
Besides overall fatigue, other symptoms of anemia include shortness of breath,
dizziness, light-headedness and fainting, plus apathy (lack of interest), poor
resistance to colds or other infections.
Anemia can occur in males or females, however, it is more common in
females. The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women is
menstrual blood loss. Pregnancy and breast feeding also drain iron stores,
contributing to anemia in women. Low dietary intake (or poor iron absorption) also
plays a part.
If a blood test shows that you have mild anemia, your doctor might
recommend over-the-counter supplements that provide up to 18 milligrams of iron
daily. If your anemia is more severe, your doctor will likely prescribe high-dose iron
supplements of up to 180 milligrams a day. Be careful though, as too much iron can
be toxic.
If you are taking iron supplements, take them correctly. Iron supplements work
best when taken with foods or beverages rich in vitamin C, as they enhance iron
absorption.
If you prefer to enrich your iron levels with foods, instead, be aware that the
best sources of iron are red meats, especially organ meats such as liver. Organ
meats contain heme iron, the form most completely absorbed by the body. Since
organ meats are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can contribute to heart
disease an alternative might be lean cuts of steak and extra-lean ground beef.
No matter what your chosen treatment, it is important that you do not look for
changes overnight. Although many people feel better in weeks, most people take
between 6 months to a year to improve their iron levels in the bone marrow.
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