Anemia Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Dallas

Anemia Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Dallas

Anemia Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Dallas is a condition whereby the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate amounts of oxygen to the tissues in the body.

The body makes three types of blood cells known as white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. The white blood cells fight infection; platelets help blood to clot, while the red blood cells carry oxygen all over the body.

The red blood cells contain hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that provides blood with its red color. The hemoglobin enables the red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to the other parts of the body. The hemoglobin also carries carbon dioxide from the other parts of the body to the lungs.

Lack of red blood cells or dysfunctional red blood cells in the body can reduce the amount of oxygen flowing into the body’s organs.

There are different types of anemia such as:

• Aplastic anemia
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Thalassemia
• Vitamin deficiency anemia

Anemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe.

Symptoms of anemia

Depending on the cause, the symptoms of anemia can vary. Some people that have anemia may not know due to lack of early symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of anemia include:

• Fatigue or Tiredness
• Weakness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeats
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Cold hands and feet

Causes of anemia

• Anemia can occur when your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells
• Anemia can occur when excessive bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells faster than the red blood cells can be replaced
• Anemia can occur when your body destroys the red blood cells in your blood

Risk factors of anemia

Factors that increase the risk of anemia include:

Vitamins and minerals deficiency

Lack of iron, vitamin B-12, and folate acid increase the risk of anemia.

Chronic medical conditions

Certain chronic medical conditions such as cancer, kidney failure, diabetes, or other chronic diseases can lead to a shortage of red blood cells.

Hereditary

People with a family history of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia are at higher risk of anemia.

Intestinal disorders

Having an intestinal disorder that affects the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine can increase the risk of anemia.

Menstruation

Menstruation causes the loss of red blood cells in women that are menstruating.

Pregnancy

Women that are pregnant and aren’t taking multivitamins with folic acid and iron are at increased risk of anemia.

Age

People that are over the age of 65 are at increased risk of anemia.

Infection or disease

People with a history of certain infections, blood diseases, and autoimmune disorders are at increased risk of anemia.

Exposure to toxic chemicals

Exposure to certain toxic chemicals can increase the risk of anemia.

Use of certain medications

Taking certain medications can affect the production of red blood cells.

Treatment of Anemia

The treatment options for anemia depend on the cause of the anemia and type of anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia

Treatment for iron deficiency anemia usually involves taking iron supplements and diets that contain iron.

Vitamin deficiency anemia

Treatment for folic acid and vitamin C deficiency anemia involves taking dietary supplements and eating more diets that contain folic acid and vitamin C.

Sickle cell anemia

Treatment for sickle cell anemia may include oxygen, pain relievers, and oral and intravenous fluids. Blood transfusions, folic acid supplements and antibiotics may also be used to treat sickle cell anemia.

Anemia of chronic disease

Treating the underlying disease causing the anemia can help. A blood transfusion or injections of a synthetic hormone known as erythropoietin may help facilitate the production of red blood cells.

Thalassemia

Severe forms of thalassemia generally require different treatment options such as blood transfusions, folic acid supplements, medication, removal of the spleen, or a blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant.

Aplastic anemia

Treatment for aplastic anemia can include blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants.

Hemolytic anemia

Treatment for hemolytic anemia can include treating underlying infections and taking drugs that suppress your immune system.

FAQ:

What causes a person to become anemic?

There are three main ways a person can become anemic. These include blood loss, a reduction in the body’s ability to produce new red blood cells, or an illness, disease, or condition that leads to increased destruction of red blood cells.

What foods to avoid if you are anemic?

• Tea and coffee
• Milk and certain dairy products
• Whole-grain cereals
• Foods and products that contain tannins, such as grapes, corn, and sorghum.
• Foods rich in gluten, such as pasta
• Foods and products made with wheat, barley, rye, or oats.
• Foods that contain phytic acids, such as brown rice and whole-grain wheat products.
• Foods that contain oxalic acids, such as peanuts, chocolate, and parsley.

What foods to eat if you are anemic?

• Fruits and vegetables such as watercress, curly kale, spinach, collard greens, dandelion greens, Swiss chard, citrus fruits, broccoli, red and yellow peppers.
• Nuts and seeds such as pumpkin seeds, cashews, pistachios, hemp seeds, pine nuts, and sunflower seeds.
• Meat and fish such as beef, lamb, venison, liver, shellfish, oysters, shrimp, sardines, tuna, salmon, halibut, perch, and haddock.
• Dairy products such as raw milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Beans and pulses such as kidney beans, chickpeas, soybeans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, black beans, peas, and lima beans.

Want to know about Anemia?