Introduction
We all need a good source of iron in our diet. Without it, our
bodies become prone to one of the most common forms of anaemia -
and it can leave us feeling faint, fatigued, weak and
breathless.
Anaemia is not just a condition which affects growing teenagers
and pregnant women, though they are the most common sufferers.
Anyone can suffer from anaemia, and it can cause a range of
different symptoms. It is important to make sure you're not at risk
and take care to eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of
iron-rich foods.
- What is anaemia?
- Are there different types of anaemia?
- How much iron do I need?
- Could I be anaemic?
- What are the symptoms of anaemia?
- How do I know I'm anaemic?
- Will I need other tests?
- How is anaemia treated?
- Can I prevent anaemia?
What is anaemia?
Anaemia is an ailment of the body's red blood cells and occurs
for a couple of reasons:
- When you don't have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are
produced in the bone marrow with the help of iron, vitamin B12 and
folic acid. However, if there is a shortage of one of these or if
the bone marrow is damaged or diseased, this can cause a deficiency
of red blood cells
- When there is a lack of haemoglobin in the red blood cells
(haemoglobin is the red pigment in our blood that carries oxygen
around the body)
Are there different types of anaemia?
Yes. The most common sort in the UK is called iron deficiency
anaemia - which is caused by a lack of iron.
- Megaloblastic anaemia can develop if you have a lack of vitamin
B12 or folic acid or both
- Pernicious anaemia is a type of megaloblastic anaemia in
which the small intestine is unable to absorb enough vitamin B12
from food. The stomach normally produces a substance called
intrinsic factor to absorb vitamin B12, but this factor is reduced
or missing in this type of anaemia.
In the UK, the commonest cause of B12 deficiency is a lack of
intrinsic factor.
- Haemolytic anaemia happens when the body has a condition in
which red blood cells mature and are broken down too quickly
- Aplastic anaemia is when the bone marrow doesn't produce enough
good red blood cells
- Sickle cell anaemia is a serious inherited condition where the
red blood cells, which are normally round like a doughnut without a
hole,collapse into a crescent shape. Sickle cells don't move easily
through blood vessels and get stuck. The blocked vessels are not
only painful, but can cause serious infections and damage
organs
- Sometimes, chronic disease, such as cancer, kidney failure or
inflammatory bowel disease may also cause anaemia.
How much iron do I need?
Could I be anaemic?
Anyone can suffer from anaemia, but there are certain factors
that make it more likely:
- Diet:a varied balanced diet usually contains enough iron for
the body's needs, but some people on restricted diets may need to
make sure they are getting enough iron from other food sources
- Blood loss:one of the common reasons why iron may be lost from
the body so menstruating women tend to be more at risk of iron
deficiency than men. Iron can also be lost when there is internal
blood loss (for example from piles, a bleeding stomach ulcer or an
inflamed oesophagus)
- Pregnancy:a growing baby takes its iron supply from its mother,
so it's important for pregnant women to have a good iron-rich
diet
- Medicines:in some people, certain regularly-taken medications,
such as aspirin (or other anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause
internal bleeding
- Hookworm infection:a common cause of iron deficiency worldwide,
this is an infection caused by a small parasite that lives in the
gut
- Age:people over the age of 60 may be more at risk of anaemia
due to poor diet
- Genetics:some people are born with diseases which cause
anaemia, such as thalassaemia or sickle cell anaemia
- Chronic diseases:some medical conditions, such as diabetes, HIV
infection and some leukaemias can destroy or reduce the amount of
red blood cells or haemoglobin
What are the symptoms of anaemia?
Normal symptoms of anaemia include tiredness, breathlessness
(due to the reduced amount of oxygen in the body), skin pallor,
dizziness, confusion and headache.
Less common symptoms include palpitations, altered taste, sore
mouth and brittle or spoon-shaped nails. Neither diarrhoea nor
weight loss is a direct symptom of anaemia, but they can arise from
conditions which cause anaemia, such as chronic bowel disease or
cancer. Severe anaemia can also cause chest pain and leg pain.
How do I know I'm anaemic?
If you have symptoms that indicate anaemia, your GP will
normally ask you to have a test called a full blood count (FBC) so
the levels of haemoglobin can be measured.
A normal level of haemoglobin in men lies between 13.5 and 17.5 grams (3 per decilitre of blood.
For women, the normal range lies between 11.5 and 15.5 grams per decilitre.
If your haemoglobin levels are lower than this, you are probably
anaemic.
Will I need other tests?
If the cause of anaemia isn't clear (pregnancy, heavy periods or
poor diet), you may be advised to have other tests, such as an
endoscopy, colonoscopy or a biopsy.
Can I prevent anaemia?
You can take steps to help prevent anaemia developing:
- Eat a diet that is rich in iron. Iron-rich foods include: liver
(although pregnant women should avoid eating liver), meat, beans,
nuts, dried fruit (apricots), whole grains, fortified cereals and
leafy dark-green vegetables
- Eating vitamin C rich foods at the same time can help iron to
be absorbed into your body
Clickthrough information and support links:
Food
Standards Agency