Many of us who feel tired and run down often think we are anemic, without knowing what anemia is and what causes it.

Anemia is a common condition. Here in the United States we have more than 3 million people suffering from one form of anemia or another. Anemia does not care what your age group is, your race or color, or if you are a man or woman. Though women of childbearing age are more at risk then men. Older adults who are suffering from chronic diseases and children under the age of two years are also at risk.

What is anemia? Anemia is a condition where your blood has a lower number of red blood cells than normal or does not produce enough hemoglobin. Without the proper number of red blood cells or enough hemoglobin, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. Anemia can also be caused by blood loss, chronic diseases and can be inherited.

People with anemia often feel tired and weak due to the loss of oxygen throughout the body.

There are many types of anemia:

  • Aplastic anemia – is a rare and serious blood disorder, where the bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells. Bone marrow makes what is known as stem cells, which then develop into three types of cells, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
  • Iron-deficiency anemia – is a common and easily treated condition caused by not enough iron in the body. It is caused by bleeding, not eating enough foods that contain iron or by not absorbing enough iron from the foods that were eaten.
  • Pernicious anemia – a condition where the body does not make enough red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12 in the body. It happens to people who cannot absorb the vitamin from the foods they eat.
  • Sickle cell anemia – is a serious condition in which the red blood cells can become sickle shaped (like a C). Normal red blood cells are solid and round in shape and move easily throughout the blood vessels carrying oxygen. Sickle-shaped cells are sticky and stiff; they do not move easily throughout the body forming clumps and get stuck in the blood vessels.
  • Thalassemias – are inherited blood disorders, meaning they are passed on from parents to children through the genes. This type of anemia makes fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin causing people to have mild or serve cases of anemia.

    Plus there are other types, which your doctor can discuss such as auto immune hemolytic anemia, blood loss anemia, folate anemia and others.

    What causes anemia?

  • Blood loss is the most common cause
  • Chronic diseases like kidney disease and cancer that can decrease the body’s ability to produce enough red blood cells.
  • Infections, medicines and radiation may cause bone marrow damage and thus stop production of the stem cells.
  • Pregnancy can create problems as the baby needs the additional blood cells and the mother may not be able to produce them.
  • Inherited blood disorders and certain enzyme deficiencies can create anemic problems,
  • Poor diets that lack sufficient iron, vitamins and minerals.

    What are the symptoms of anemia?

  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • cold hands and feet
  • pale skin
  • chest pain

    All these signs and symptoms can occur because your heart has to work overtime to pump oxygen-rich blood through the body. If you have any of these symptoms it would be a wise decision to see your physician at once.

    How is anemia diagnosed? Generally it is diagnosed by a physical exam, discussion of family history and blood tests. There are several tests that can and are done, including a complete blood test and several others. Depending on other findings from the various tests available, your doctor may even want to do a bone marrow test, which is simple test in which a needle inserted to remove a small amount of bone marrow fluid.

    How is anemia treated? Since the goal is to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, it can be done through dietary supplements, changes in diet, medicines and other medical procedures such as blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants or other types of surgery. The treatment will depend on the severity and type of anemia you have. Basically, for most common forms of anemia, diet and supplements will work wonders.

    Can anemia be prevented? Yes, in most cases with the exception of sickle cell anemia and other forms of hereditary anemia.

    Diet seems to be the most important step, eating iron rich foods, along with treating any underlying causes, such as internal bleeding or by changing a medication you are taking.

    Anemia can be treated and/or controlled. Proper treatment can provide such benefits as increased energy and an improved quality of life. Untreated anemia if severe enough, can be life threatening.

    If you or anyone in your family is suffering from any of the symptoms, do yourself and/or them a favor and see your physician as soon as possible. You just might feel better for it.

    • Author's Bio: 

    Audrey is the author of many articles on health, prosperity and animals, especially cats and dogs. She is a published author, great grandmother and a firm believer that life is what you make it. It is up to you to do your best and live life to the fullest.