Anemia is a condition that occurs when there is a deficiency of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Individuals with anemia commonly experience symptoms such as coldness, fatigue, or weakness. There are many different types of anemia, but the most common type is iron-deficiency anemia. You can start alleviating the symptoms of anemia by adding iron to your diet.
What is Anemia?
Anemia occurs when you do not have enough red blood cells. The role of these red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all other organs and tissues in the body through the bloodstream. They do this with the help of iron and a supporting protein called hemoglobin, both found within the red blood cells.
Individuals with anemia are referred to as “anemic.” Being anemic can lead to feeling tired, experiencing more coldness than usual, and having paler skin. The reason for this is that the organs do not receive an adequate amount of oxygen they need.
Who does Anemia develop in?
It can occur in anyone, but it is more common in the following groups:
Women: They may experience anemia due to blood loss during menstruation and childbirth. It is especially prevalent in women with heavy menstrual bleeding or conditions such as tumors in the uterus.
Children aged 1-2: Children in this age range require more iron due to rapid growth.
Babies: When babies are weaned from breast milk or formula, they may not get enough iron because the iron content in solid foods is not easily absorbed by the body.
People over 65 years of age: The likelihood of having a diet poor in iron and developing certain chronic illnesses is higher in this age group.
People using blood-thinning medications: These medications include aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, heparin products, apixaban, betrixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban.
How common is Anemia?
Anemia affects more than two billion people globally, which is over 30% of the total population. It is especially widespread in resource-poor countries, but it is also prevalent in many individuals in industrialized countries.
Are there different types of Anemia?
There are several different types of anemia, but in all cases, the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream is reduced. Red blood cell levels can decrease due to the following reasons:
- Your body doesn’t produce enough hemoglobin.
- Your body produces enough hemoglobin, but the produced hemoglobin doesn’t function properly.
- Your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells.
- Your body breaks down red blood cells too quickly.
- For example, one type of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia occurs when there is a decrease in hemoglobin production due to a lack of iron. Another type of anemia, sickle cell anemia, occurs when the produced hemoglobin does not function properly.
What are the symptoms of Anemia?
Symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and feeling cold are common in all types of anemia. Other specific symptoms include:
- Dizziness or weakness
- Headaches
- Sensitivity in the mouth and corners of the lips
- Pale, dry skin, or easy bruising
- Involuntary movements in the lower legs (restless leg syndrome)
- Rapid heartbeat
How does Anemia affect the body?
Anemia, along with fatigue and feeling cold, can lead to other effects on your body. Due to iron deficiency, your nails may become brittle or spoon-shaped, and your hair may fall out. Your sense of taste may change or you might experience ringing in your ears.
Different types of anemia can lead to other serious issues. For instance, individuals with Sickle Cell Anemia often experience heart and lung complications.
Untreated anemia can result in arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), enlargement of the heart, or heart failure. Additionally, it increases the risk of infection and depression.
Another condition associated with iron deficiency is pica, which involves chewing ice. Pica is a sign of Pica Syndrome, where patients consume non-food items such as chalk and soil. Thus, pica can be an indication of anemia, especially in children with the condition.
How does Anemia affect children?
It is crucial for children to have sufficient amounts of iron and other nutrients in their diet because iron deficiency can lead to delayed motor skill development and learning problems. For older children, as growth rates increase and during menstrual cycles in girls, it is essential to pay closer attention to anemia symptoms.
How does Anemia affect the elderly?
In the elderly, anemia can cause confusion or depression. Weakness can make walking difficult. If left untreated, anemia can shorten your lifespan, especially if you are older.
Can Anemia affect my weight?
Research suggests that overweight individuals can lose weight if they address their low iron levels in the blood. If you have other conditions like cancer, you may experience unintentional weight loss along with anemia. People who have undergone weight loss surgery may also become anemic due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
How does Anemia affect pregnancy?
During pregnancy, iron deficiency increases the likelihood of premature birth complications. Studies have shown that infants of mothers with low iron levels after birth may have low birth weight and potential iron-related issues.
If you are pregnant, the chances of developing iron deficiency anemia are higher. Your unborn baby relies on you for iron and other nutrients. Many pregnant women take iron supplements to prevent anemia. To ensure you have enough iron for yourself and your baby, consume a balanced diet with iron-rich foods and foods containing vitamins B12 and B9. Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions on taking supplements and adding iron to your diet.
Diagnosing anemia is just the beginning; it is essential to find and address the underlying cause.
What causes anemia?
The most common cause of anemia is low iron levels in the body. This type of anemia is called iron deficiency anemia. The body needs a certain amount of iron to produce hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in the blood. Other types of anemia, apart from iron deficiency anemia, can be caused by the following reasons:
- Poor nutrition or problems with the absorption or utilization of B12 vitamin (pernicious anemia).
- Diet lacking in folate (also known as folic acid) or the body’s inability to use folate properly (folate deficiency anemia).
- Inherited blood disorders (sickle cell anemia or thalassemia).
- Conditions that cause rapid breakdown of red blood cells (such as hemolytic anemia).
- Conditions where there is not enough hormone in your body to produce red blood cells (including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, advanced kidney disease, lupus, and other chronic illnesses).
- Associated blood loss due to other conditions like ulcers, hemorrhoids, or gastritis.
What causes iron deficiency anemia?
The causes of iron deficiency anemia include:
- Losing a large amount of blood quickly (e.g., due to a severe accident) or losing a small amount of blood over a long period. The amount of iron lost through blood loss is much more than the body can replace with food. This can occur in women with heavy menstrual periods or individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.
- Not getting enough iron through diet.
- Having higher iron needs than usual (e.g., during pregnancy or illness).
- Some types of iron deficiency anemia are named based on the underlying cause, such as anemia of chronic disease (also known as inflammation anemia) or anemia of acute blood loss.
Other types of anemia:
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia occurs when a person is deficient in something called intrinsic factor, which is necessary for the absorption of B12 vitamin. Without B12 vitamin, the body cannot produce healthy red blood cells. Other anemias that do not involve intrinsic factor deficiency are also grouped under pernicious anemia, such as folate deficiency anemia and Addison anemia, among others.
Hemolytic Anemia
The cause of this type of anemia is the rapid breakdown of deformed red blood cells, which can be due to certain genetic or acquired diseases. (Acquired disease means that you did not have it when you were born.) If it’s not genetic, hemolytic anemia can occur as a result of reactions to harmful substances or certain medications.
Sickle Cell Anemia
This genetic form of anemia occurs due to the abnormal shape of red blood cells. The cells are sickle-shaped, which can block blood vessels and cause damage. Hemoglobin does not function properly. This type of anemia is common but not everyone has it. It is prevalent in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.
Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
This type of anemia is rare and can be either genetic or acquired. In Diamond-Blackfan anemia, the bone marrow cannot produce enough red blood cells. It is diagnosed in about 90% of patients during the first year of life.
Aplastic Anemia
In this type of anemia, the bone marrow is damaged and cannot produce enough blood cells. It can be congenital or acquired. Another name for aplastic anemia is bone marrow aplasia. Some people may think of this condition as a form of cancer, but it is not.
In Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), cancer is implied, and in these conditions, the cells in the bone marrow are abnormal.
Fanconi Anemia
This type of anemia is also rare and genetic. It occurs when the bone marrow cannot produce enough red blood cells. It has symptoms like abnormal bone structure and abnormal skin color. About 50% of people with this condition are diagnosed by the age of 10.
Mediterranean Anemia
This condition is also known as Cooley’s Anemia and refers to beta thalassemia major. Thalassemia is an inherited condition where your body does not produce the right amount of hemoglobin. In addition to not being produced in sufficient amounts, the red blood cells have a shorter lifespan compared to individuals without thalassemia.
Vegetarian or Vegan Anemia
This term refers to individuals who are vegetarian or vegan and struggle to get enough iron because they do not consume meat, poultry, or seafood. However, with careful dietary planning, there are many ways to get enough iron on a plant-based diet.
Your doctor may also use anemia terms that describe the size of red blood cells, such as macrocytic anemia (larger than normal cells) or microcytic anemia (smaller than normal cells).
