Understanding anemia: Tired blood, tired bodies

Understanding anemia: Tired blood, tired bodies
Anemia is easily diagnosed with a visit to your physician and a simple blood test.

Monday, December 1, 2008 6:03 PM EST

By David Sokol, M.D. Princeton HealthCare System

Feeling tired and run down?

Lacking energy to do the activities you used to?

Having a tough time making it through the day?

A little fatigue is natural every now and then, but if you feel tired all the time and find that your energy level is zapped, you may want to talk with your physician about anemia.
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Anemia affects more than 3.4 million Americans, mainly women, people with chronic diseases and the elderly, making it the most common blood disorder in the United States, according to federal statistics.

In simple terms, anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal amount of red blood cells, which carry much- needed oxygen throughout your body. Without enough oxygen, your organs and tissues cannot function as well as they should, resulting in fatigue and energy loss, and in some cases, even more serious consequences, like damage to the heart, brain and other organs. In rare instances, anemia also could result in death.

While there are hundreds of types of anemia, the condition has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production and high rates of red blood cell destruction. These causes can be due to a number of conditions, diseases and other factors, such as genetics and diet.

Blood loss, however, is the most common cause of anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia. Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, a protein that helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. People with iron-deficiency anemia are often described as having “iron- poor blood” or “tired blood.”

This type of anemia typically occurs in women of childbearing age who lose blood regularly from menstruation. In fact, 12 percent of women age 12 to 49 are iron-deficient, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, 20 percent of pregnant women have anemia because their iron is being used by the growing fetus.

Blood loss and the resulting iron deficiency can also occur because of ulcers, colon polyps or colon cancer; regular use of aspirin and other over-the-counter pain killers; infections; serious injury, and surgery.

Other types of anemia can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, most specifically low-levels of B12, which help your body make red blood cells and keep your nervous system healthy; underlying diseases, especially kidney disease and cancer, and genetics. Sickle cell anemia, for instance, is an inherited blood disease.

While fatigue and weakness are the most common symptoms of anemia, other signs of the disorder include dizziness, headaches, numbness or coldness in your hands and feet; low body temperature; pale skin; rapid or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; chest pain; irritability, and trouble at school or work. These symptoms are often due to the fact that with anemia your heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood through your body.

Anemia is easily diagnosed with a visit to your physician and a simple blood test called a complete blood count or CBC to measure and count the different parts of your blood. In addition to the blood test, your physician will likely perform a physical exam and discuss your family history and diet. If you are diagnosed with anemia, your physician may order additional tests to determine the cause.

Treatment for the disorder depends on its type, cause and severity, and may range from modifying your diet to take in more iron or, in more severe cases, medical procedures such as blood transfusion or surgery. Often with the proper treatment, many types of anemia are mild and short-term.

The following are recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Eat foods high in iron, including cereal and breads enriched with iron, liver, lentils, beans, oysters, tofu, green leafy vegetables, lean red meat, fish and dried fruits.

• Eat and drink foods that help your body absorb iron, like orange juice, strawberries, broccoli or other fruits and vegetables with vitamin C.

• Avoid drinking coffee or tea with meals. These drinks make it hard to absorb iron.

• Make sure you consume enough folic acid and B12.
• Make balanced food choices. Food fads and dieting can lead to anemia.

• Talk to your doctor about taking iron supplements. Do not take supplements without talking to your doctor first.

Taking iron pills, however, can have uncomfortable side effects, like nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. Reduce these side effects by starting with half of the recommended doses and gradually increasing to the full dose, and by taking the pills with food.

The recommended dietary allowance for iron for non-pregnant women between the ages of 19 and 50 is 18 milligrams and for pregnant women is 27 milligrams.

Princeton HealthCare System, through its Community Education & Outreach Program, will host a discussion, “Anemia: Evaluation and Treatment,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton North Shopping Center, 1225 Route 206, Montgomery. Participants will learn how to read the results of a complete blood count (CBC) test.

To register for the free session or for more information, visit www.princetonhcs.org/calendar or call 888-897-8979.

Dr. David B. Sokol is board- certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology and is a member of the medical staff of Princeton HealthCare System.

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