How To Manage Anemia, What Are The Causes And Treatments

This article discusses anemia including its causes, signs and symptoms and how it is managed.

How To Manage Anemia, What Are The Causes And Treatments

Anemia is a condition in which the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs are responsible for delivering oxygen to tissues and organs throughout your body, so when you don’t have enough RBCs, you may feel tired and winded more easily. This can be especially problematic if you’re an athlete who needs lots of oxygen to perform well at practice or games. But there are plenty of ways to manage anemia without sacrificing performance.

The most common cause of anemia is low iron levels, but other factors like vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to the condition. Symptoms include pale skin, fatigue, rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath after exercise—but don’t worry: It’s not necessarily as bad as it sounds! Identifying what’s causing your symptoms will help determine what treatment options are best suited for your specific case. That being said…

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which the red blood cells in a person’s blood are fewer than normal or do not function properly. The most common cause of anemia is the loss of blood or blood cells.

Anemia can also be caused by certain diseases, medications, and nutritional deficiencies.

Symptoms of anemia

Anemia symptoms are as varied as the number of different types. However, many people experience fatigue, tiredness and weakness. Other common symptoms include:

  • Paleness in the skin
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
  • Chest pain

Additional symptoms may include:

  • Palpitations (irregular heartbeats)
  • Dizziness or fainting spells.

Causes of anemia

There are many causes of anemia, including:

  • Iron deficiency
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Sickle cell anemia (HgbS) and thalassemia (HgbE)
  • Sideroblastic anemia (megaloblastic), sideropenic anemia, and copper deficiency all cause the hemoglobin to be unable to carry oxygen. This can lead to organ damage due to lack of oxygen flow.

Lead poisoning is another cause because it inhibits the production of RBCs in your body. Low levels of red blood cells mean less oxygen will reach your organs, causing them to work harder than normal which leads up to organ failure or death depending on how severe it is

Diagnosing anemia

Diagnosing anemia is done by a blood test. The two tests that are most commonly used to diagnose anemia are the hemoglobin test and red blood cell count. A low hemoglobin level indicates that you have less than normal levels of red blood cells in your body, while a low red blood cell count suggests that there are fewer than normal circulating cells in your system.

If your doctor suspects you may have iron deficiency anemia, he or she may also ask for results from specific tests: the iron deficiency test and ferritin test. The latter measures how much ferritin (a protein made by your liver) is present in your body at any given time. If it’s low when compared to the average range for healthy people, then this could point toward possible iron deficiency anemia because this particular nutrient plays several important roles within human physiology—including helping deliver oxygen throughout the body via red blood cells—before they’re destroyed by macrophages once they’ve fulfilled their purpose.*

Treating anemia

There are several ways to treat anemia.

  • Medication: Your doctor may prescribe medication if your anemia is caused by a blood disorder or the side effects of chemotherapy. Blood transfusions may also be done if you need extra red blood cells.
  • Vitamins and supplements: Vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc, and iron are all helpful for treating anemia because they support your body’s ability to produce adequate amounts of red blood cells. Iron supplements can also help in some cases of mild anemia caused by low levels of iron in the body (iron is necessary for making red blood cells). If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, however, talk with your doctor before taking any vitamin or supplement since some could be unsafe during these times.
  • Dietary changes: This means eating more foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits), folic acid (dark green leafy vegetables), vitamin A (sweet potatoes), protein sources such as meat/eggs/fish etc., whole grains like wheat berries, etc., spinach leaves which contain high amounts of vitamin K needed for producing clotting factors within our bodies; nuts & seeds as well as dried beans & peas offer many nutrients including zinc which plays roles such as creating new cells among other things while being part of the hemoglobin production process itself.”

Foods for people with anemia

If you have anemia, it’s important to eat iron-rich foods. Iron is a mineral that helps your body transport oxygen throughout your body. You can get iron from eating a healthy diet or taking supplements.

Anemia can be caused by not getting enough nutrients from foods such as vitamin B12, vitamin C and vitamin A. Some people with anemia may need to take vitamin supplements to treat the condition. Here are some examples of common foods that contain these nutrients:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Beans
  • Nuts/seeds

If you have been diagnosed with anemia, it’s important to take precautions and follow your doctor’s orders. Eating foods that are rich in iron such as red meat, poultry and fish can also help manage this condition. Anemia is a very common condition that can be easily treated by eating foods high in iron or taking supplements. The best thing about these treatments is they provide relief without using harsh chemicals or drugs that may cause side effects like nausea or stomach pain. For example, one of the most common medications prescribed for anemia is iron pills which can cause constipation so it’s always important to follow up treatment plans carefully!