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What Is Anemia And How Can You Tell If You Have It

Iron deficiencies and anemia can be serious issues. But what is anemia? Click here to learn all about this disorder and how to know if you have it.

What Is Anemia And How Can You Tell If You Have It

Did you know that there are over 400 types of anemia?

There are also plenty of symptoms of this deficiency that can make it hard to live with.

From just feeling off to having more severe problems, it can actually be quite serious and is usually the result of a different underlying condition.

But how do you know if you’re anemic? Without proper tests it can be hard to know if you have it, but knowing the signs will make it a lot easier.

Take a look at our complete guide answering what is anemia and how to spot the symptoms.

What is Anemia?

Anemia is characterized by a lack of red blood cells, which can be dangerous if left untreated. Here are the 5 most common types of anemia you should be aware of:

  • Iron deficiency anemia – you don’t have enough iron in your body
  • Aplastic anemia – your body isn’t producing the new blood cells that you need
  • Sickle cell anemia – a disorder that affects the hemoglobin in blood cells, changing the shape of the cell
  • Thalassemia – not enough hemoglobin is produced or it’s abnormal, leading to red blood cells being destroyed
  • Vitamin deficiency anemia – not enough healthy red blood cells due to having lower amounts of vitamins, including vitamin C and vitamin B-12 

Overall, women are around twice as likely to become anemic, especially during pregnancy and menstrual cycles.

What Is Anemia And How Can You Tell If You Have It

If you think you’re anemic it’s vital you seek the proper treatment as soon as possible, especially if you’re pregnant. 

Do I Have Anemia?

It’s estimated that around 5.6% of the US population has some sort of anemia.

But a lot of people suffering from it, particularly from common types like iron deficiency anemia, might not know they’re suffering from it.

To find out if you could have it, take a look at some of the symptoms it causes.

Most severe cases of anemia, such as sickle cell and others that are hereditary, are usually diagnosed fairly early on.

It’s usually iron deficiency anemia which can appear in later life. Here are some of the signs you have anemia:

  • General or extreme fatigue 
  • Feeling weak and struggling to do even easy exercise
  • Pale skin 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Frequent dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Tingling or ‘fizzy’ feeling in your legs
  • A swelling tongue or sore tongue
  • Cold feet and hands
  • An irregular or fast heartbeat
  • Headaches, both mild and severe
  • Brittle nails

These are all signs of a low red blood cell count and if you have any then you may be anemic. 

Why Are You Anemic?

if you’re showing anemia symptoms, there could be a lot of reasons why.

Some of them are hereditary and others you may develop spontaneously later in life. 

What Is Anemia And How Can You Tell If You Have It

Here are a few of the causes of anemia.

Unbalanced Diet

If you’re looking into “what is anaemia,” you’ll usually find two distinct categories – nutritional and non-nutritional. Nutritional anemia is linked directly to diet, such as with iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency anemia. They can usually be treated easily with diet changes and supplements, like those detailed on this page.

You can also increase iron-rich foods in your diet. These include red meat, eggs, legumes (e.g. lentils, chickpeas, and beans), tofu, and tempeh. Make sure to include a source of iron with every meal to help boost your levels!

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, make sure you double up on your iron-rich foods to replace what you would’ve consumed through meat. 

Pregnancy and Menstruation 

One of the reasons that symptoms of anemia are more commonly seen in women is pregnancy and menstruation. 

During pregnancy, you’re actually producing more blood to help your little one grow.

If you’re not getting enough iron, or other nutrients such as vitamin B-12, you might not be producing enough red blood cells to keep you healthy.

It’s actually normal to experience mild anemia during pregnancy, but be sure your doctors checking your levels to make sure you’re healthy.

During menstruation, you can also lose a lot of blood if your periods are heavy.

Your body needs to replace these, but without enough iron you just won’t be able to. 

Endometriosis

Another cause for anemia in women is endometriosis, which is a tissue disorder in the lining of the uterus. It can cause quite heavy bleeding which goes unnoticed. Make sure to read up on the condition so you know the signs!

Chemotherapy 

If you’re receiving chemotherapy, you might find yourself seeing some of the symptoms of anemia.

This is because the drugs can kill off your red blood cells, leading to your body working hard to produce more.

This should be monitored during your treatment, so if your doctor isn’t keeping an eye on it then you should definitely ask them to.

Is Anemia Dangerous?

If you don’t treat your anemia, it can become dangerous to your health. Whilst the initial symptoms are mild you could experience more severe problems as time goes on.

For example, as your blood cells aren’t transporting enough oxygen around your body you could find your organs become damaged. 

Your heart will also be working overtime to make up for the lack of red blood cells, which can cause damage over time.

In pregnant women it should be treated as quickly as possible to keep both mum and baby safe. 

Get Treatment As Soon as Possible

Now you know the answer to “what is anemia?” and the symptoms, you can get a better idea as to whether you’re suffering from it.

If you are, be sure to see a doctor as soon as you can to get the right treatment.

For more life tips to keep you happy and healthy, be sure to take a look at more of the articles on our website!

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