Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Anemia
required certain things in order to run efficiently and stay healthy. One of those things is oxygen. Anemia is a condition in which body tissues are deprived of oxygen, is caused by a reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells or by insufficient amounts of essential proteins called hemoglobin. The severity of anemia can range from mild to life threatening. Normally the heart pumps oxygen deficient blood to the lungs, where hemoglobin in the red blood cells binds to oxygen collected there: oxygen rich blood then travels through the circulatory system to the rest of the body. Oxygen starvation occurs if the body lacks sufficient numbers of red blood cells, which survive only about 120 days and must be constantly replaced. Anemia can occur if a large amount of blood is lost or if something interferes with the production of red blood cells or accelerates their destruction. Because hemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells and the carrier for oxygen molecules, anemia also occurs if the hemoglobin supply is insufficient or if the hemoglobin itself is dysfunctional. In all more than 400 different forms of anemia have been found; many of them rare. A person with anemia often appears pale and weak, and feels breathless, faint, and is unusually aware of a pounding heart. The disorder may arise from a number a number of underlying conditions, some of them may be hereditary, but in a large number of cases diet is the culprit. While it is true that some forms of anemia call for supervised medical care, those stemming from improper nutrition can typically be treated at home once a medical professional has isolated the cause. Causes Did you know that hemorrhoids can cause anemia because of excessive blood loss? Yes, chronic blood loss whether it is result of hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, a severe cut or wound, or gastrointestinal tumors can lead to anemia. Non blood loss related behaviors such as alcohol abuse can also lead to anemia. More often than not anemia is brought about by dietary deficiencies; indeed, anemia in alcoholics arises largely because they tend to drink alcohol rather than eating food and often fail to achieve their daily nutritional needs. Anemia can also result when the digestive system loses its ability to adsorb key vitamins and minerals. Iron deficiency anemia is the condition the average person might associate with anemia. In fact it is the leading cause of anemia worldwide, and occurs when the body does not store enough iron, the main prime raw material of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency is usually a dietary problem, but in many cases other conditions complicate the picture. For example, women who lose excessive amounts of blood through heavy menstrual flows may have lower than average iron levels. Women who are pregnant or nursing may also have low iron levels because of loss to the developing fetus or because of milk production. Iron deficiency anemia also afflicts patients who have had surgery to remove part of the stomach, thereby limiting the ability to absorb iron. Megaloblastic anemia’s, in which red blood cells become unusually large, occurs when the body is deficient in folic acid or vitamin B-12, both critical to cell production. Hemolytic anemias may come about when red blood cells have genetic defects that cause them to be destroyed prematurely, sometimes by infections. In some cases, the cells are destroyed by the body’s own immune system. Some hemolytic anemias are inherited, while others are acquired. *Thalassemia is an inherited typed of hemolytic anemia that stems from the body’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of hemoglobin. One kind of thalassemia, common to people of Mediterranean, African, or Middle Eastern origin, is marked by the production of red blood cells that are smaller and more fragile than normal. This type strikes only those people who inherit the responsible gene from both parents. Sickle cell anemia is probably a form of anemia that you may recognize from commercials and fund raising events. It is an inherited disease that targets people of African and Mediterranean descent. In sickle cell the body produces red blood cells that have a crescent, or sickle, shape rather than the normal oval shape. The deformed cells, cannot carry sufficient quantities of hemoglobin, nor can they squeeze easily through the blood vessels. Capillaries can become clogged by these abnormal red blood cells, sometimes leading to a life threatening condition called a sickle cell crisis. Of the megaloblastic anemia’s, the most common type is caused by folic acid deficiency. Those affected by this form of anemia usually aren’t getting enough folic acid in their diet. While just one cup of spinach provides enough folic acid to meet the FDA’s recommended daily allowance, the vitamin deficiency is still common in the United States and throughout the world. For some, the problem is caused not by dietary deficiencies but by an inability to absorb sufficient amounts of folic acid. Certain intestinal disorders, such as some inflammatory bowel diseases and Crohn’s disease, as well as some drugs, including sulfasalazine (used to treat ulcerative colitis), can hinder folic acid metabolism. Heavy consumption of alcohol can also lower blood levels of folic acid by interfering with proper nutrition and by hindering the digestive systems ability to absorb the vitamin. Because most people, especially those who consume meat and eggs, get plenty of vitamin B-12 from their diet, anemia linked to B-12 deficiency usually is a sign of the body’s inability to absorb the vitamin. This type of anemia can occur in people who have had surgery along the digestive tract. However, the most common form of B-12 deficiency anemia, known as pernicious anemia, results when the stomach fails to produce a chemical that normally combines with B-12 to aid its absorption in the small intestine. Pernicious anemia is a rare condition that most commonly affects older people. Symptoms * Weakness, fatigue, and a general feeling or malaise; you may be mildly anemic. * Your lips appear bluish in color, your skin is pasty or yellowish, and your gums, nail beds, eyelid linings, or palm creases are pale; you are probably anemic. * In addition to feeling weak and tired, you are frequently out of breath, faint, or dizzy; you may have severe anemia. * If your tongue burns; you may have vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia. * If your tongue feels unusually slick and you experience movement or balance problems, tingling in the extremities confusion, depression, or memory loss; you may have pernicious anemia. * Other possible symptoms: decreased appetite, headaches, insomnia, poor concentration, and an irregular heartbeat. Helpful At Home Suggestions * Keep track of the foods you eat and make sure they are high in iron, folic acid, or B-12 * Don’t drink caffeinated beverages with meals; caffeine interferes with iron absorption. The tannin in black tea (black tea is most often served at most restaurants) has the same effect. * Drinking citrus juices has the opposite effect from caffeinated beverages. Citrus juice drinks are high in vitamin C, which promotes iron absorption. * Consider taking a daily multivitamin. A daily multivitamin can help you maintain a healthful balance of vitamins and minerals. However, be sure to consult a doctor before taking iron supplements; excess amounts of iron in your system can be harmful. * Avoid excessive consumption of Alcohol. Chronic alcohol consumption can undercut proper nutrition and interfere with the digestive systems ability to absorb folic acid, necessary for the production of red blood cells. Natural Supplements for Anemia
Increased Iron Absorption - AnemiCare is a safe, non-addictive, FDA-registered natural remedy containing 100% homeopathic ingredients selected to temporarily increase iron absorption and hemoglobin levels needed for normal iron levels in the body Continue |
| The Iron Facts About Spinach Spinach long thought by mothers and Popeye the sailer man as a great source of iron, is in fact an iron blocker. Technically speaking, the vegetable does contain a notable amount of iron. But like beet greens, lentils, butter beans and other leafy vegetables, spinach also contains phytate, a chemical that prevents iron from entering the blood stream. So if your iron count needs a boost, try eating liver, which is high in available iron. Or garnish your spinach with slices of orange, as citrus fruits contain vitamins and acids that counteract the effects of phytate and promote iron absorption. |
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