Anemia

Anemia means that red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells is low. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells.

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

Fainting

There are many types of anemia. Common ones are low amounts of iron, folic acid (a B vitamin), and vitamin B12. In general, symptoms include:

• Tiredness.

• Weakness.

• Paleness. This could be pale skin or paleness around the gums, nailbeds, or the linings of the lower eyelids.

• Shortness of breath.

• Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat.

Fatigue & Autoimmune Diseases

Insomnia

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

With anemia from low iron, extra symptoms can occur. These include:

• Tiny cracks at the corner of the mouth.

• A smooth, sore tongue.

• Brittle nails.

• A hard time concentrating.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

SEE ALL ARTICLES ON WOMEN'S HEALTH

In the United States, 20% of all women of childbearing age have this form of anemia. Only 2% of adult men do. The main cause is blood lost during menstruation. Eating too few iron-rich foods or not absorbing enough iron can make the problem worse.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, and blood loss from peptic ulcers or other medical problems, can also deplete iron stores. Older women who have poor diets, especially when they live alone, often have low iron anemia.

Resources

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

www.nhlbi.nih.gov

When folic acid is very low, extra symptoms can occur. These include:

• A sore, red tongue that looks glazed.

• Appetite loss and weight loss.

• Nausea and diarrhea.

• Swollen abdomen.

Folic acid is needed to make red blood cells. Folic acid levels are low from a lack of folic acid in the diet or faulty absorption. The need for this vitamin more than doubles during pregnancy. This is often not met by diets of pregnant women. A supplement of 400 to 800 micrograms (.4 to .8 milligrams) or more of folic acid per day is advised.

Females who are planning a pregnancy, should take folic acid, too. Folic acid is important when a female conceives and during the first months of pregnancy. Low folic acid levels at these times have been linked to low birth weight and neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in babies. Folic-acid deficiency can also lead to infertility and an increased risk of infection. Low levels of this vitamin are often seen among elderly women, especially those who have poor diets.

When vitamin B12 is low, extra symptoms can occur. These include:

• Chest pain on exertion.

• Sore, red tongue that looks glazed.

• A hard time concentrating.

• Appetite loss and weight loss.

• Nausea and diarrhea.

When vitamin B12 is very low, these nervous system problems can occur:

• Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

• Walking and balance problems.

• Memory loss, confusion, dementia, or psychosis.

One form of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is pernicious anemia. This is usually caused when the body doesn’t absorb vitamin B12 from food. It can result from a lack of digestive acids and a substance called the intrinsic factor. Both are needed to absorb vitamin B12. Other causes are surgery that removes part or all of the stomach and autoimmune problems that cause cells in the stomach’s lining to shrink. Vitamin B12 is found only in animal foods. It is not in plant foods unless the vitamin is added, such as in some cereals.

Other Types of Anemia

• Sickle cell anemia. This is an inherited disorder that affects the red blood cells’ ability to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

• Aplastic anemia. This is a serious disease of decreased bone marrow production.

Also, alcohol, certain drugs, large amounts of aspirin, and some chronic diseases can cause anemia.

Treatment

Persons with severe anemia may need one or more blood transfusions. Anemia shares symptoms with many health problems. It needs to be diagnosed by a doctor. Treatment for it depends on the type and what caused it. This includes:

• Treating the problem that caused it.

• Eating a proper diet and taking vitamin and/or mineral supplements, as prescribed. {Note: Don’t take iron supplements on your own. Persons with a genetic illness called hemochromatosis (iron overload disease) can be harmed with iron supplements.}

• Getting vitamin B12 shots, if needed.

Questions to Ask

Question 1

Do you feel very weak and have any of these problems?

• Palpitations. Fast or irregular heartbeat.

• You feel faint and breathless.

• Chest pain occurs with exertion.

• Memory loss. Confusion.

• Dementia. Psychosis.

Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.

Question 2

With blood in the stools or urine, black, tarlike stools, or heavy vaginal bleeding, do you feel lightheaded, weak, short of breath, and/or do you have severe abdominal pain?

Question 3

Do you feel weak and do you have any of these problems?

• You feel dizzy with exertion or when you stand up.

• Red dots of bleeding under the skin.

• Ulcers in the mouth, throat, or rectum.

• Bruising that occurs without reason.

• Ringing in the ears.

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Question 4

Do you feel tired and weak longer than 2 weeks after using self-care measures?

Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.

Use Self-Care:

You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.

Self-Care

To Get and Absorb Iron

• Eat foods that are good sources of iron: Green leafy vegetables; lean red meat; beef liver; poultry; fish; wheat germ; oysters; dried fruit; and iron-fortified cereals.

• Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, kiwi, tomatoes, and strawberries.

• If you drink tea, drink it between meals. Tannins in tea block iron absorption. Or add milk to tea. The calcium in milk binds with the tannins. (Herbal tea does not have tannins.)

• Take the supplements your doctor advises. {Note: High levels of iron in the blood may increase the risk for heart attacks. This is especially a concern if you have gone through menopause.}

• Avoid antacids, phosphates (which are found in soft drinks, beer, ice cream, candy bars, etc.), and the food additive EDTA. These block iron absorption.

To Get and Absorb Folic Acid

• Eat good food sources of folate every day. These include asparagus, brussels sprouts, spinach, romaine lettuce, collard greens, and broccoli. Other good sources are black-eyed peas, cantaloupe, orange juice, oatmeal, and whole-grain cereals.

• Eat fresh raw fruits and vegetables often. Don’t overcook food. Heat destroys folic acid.

• Take the supplement your doctor advises.

• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.

Tips for Getting Vitamin B12

• Eat animal sources of food. Good choices are lean meats, fish, poultry, nonfat or low-fat dairy products, and cereals with added vitamin B12.

• Strict vegetarians (vegans) who eat no animal sources of food should get vitamin B12 from a supplement or foods fortified with it.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

The American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) is not responsible for the availability or content of external sites, nor does AIPM endorse them. Also, it is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of external pages and to secure all necessary permission.

The content on this website is proprietary. You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, or distribute, in any manner, the material on the website without the written permission of AIPM.