The main causes of anemia are bleeding, hemolysis (excessive destruction of red blood cells), underproduction of red blood cells (as in bone marrow diseases), and underproduction of normal hemoglobin (as in sickle cell anemia and in iron deficiency anemia). Women are more likely than men to have anemia because of menstrual blood loss.
Can anemia kill you?
Yes: Anemia itself will kill you if it's severe enough, and it's a miserable way to die. Anemia always warns of some underlying illness, and many of these... Read More
What are the dangers of being anemic?
Anemia during pregnancy increases the chance of complications, such as:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight babies
- Increased risk of abortions
- Puerperal sepsis (post-partum infections)
- Increased blood loss during delivery
- Increased risk of post-delivery depression
How can you tell if your anemic?
- Persistent fatigue, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, pale skin, or any other symptoms of anemia; seek emergency care for any trouble breathing or change in your heart beat.
- Poor diet or inadequate dietary intake of vitamins and minerals
- Very heavy menstrual periods
What are the potential causes of anemia?
These factors place you at increased risk of anemia:
- A diet lacking in certain vitamins and minerals. A diet consistently low in iron, vitamin B-12, folate and copper increases your risk of anemia.
- Intestinal disorders. ...
- Menstruation. ...
- Pregnancy. ...
- Chronic conditions. ...
- Family history. ...
- Other factors. ...
- Age. ...
Why would a male be anemic?
Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or acute blood loss as a result of trauma or surgery can occur in males and result in anemia. However, it is chronic blood loss or severe problems of absorption that takes place somewhere along the digestive tract that is the most common reason for iron-deficiency anemia in males.
What are the 3 main causes of anemia?
Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction. Conditions that may lead to anemia include: Heavy periods. Pregnancy.
Is anemia in men serious?
Left untreated the symptoms of iron deficiency can become very serious, particularly extreme fatigue and shortness of breath, warns Dr Gall. “Extreme cases of severe low iron can also lead to heart problems such as a rapid or irregular heartbeat,” she says.
What causes sudden anemia?
Destruction of red blood cells earlier than normal (which may be caused by immune system problems) Long-term (chronic) diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cancer, ulcerative colitis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Some forms of anemia, such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, which can be inherited.
Is being anemic serious?
In many cases, it's mild, but anemia can also be serious and life-threatening. Anemia can happen because: Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells. Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced.
Can anemia lead to death?
Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anemia and can be fatal. Among older people, anemia is associated with an increased risk of death.
What is the fastest way to cure anemia?
If you have iron-deficiency anemia, taking iron orally or getting iron administered intravenously along with vitamin C is often the fastest way to raise your iron levels. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells, which helps the RBCs carry oxygen to organs and other tissues of the body.
Does stress cause anemia?
Sustained stress is another cause of anaemia. Excessive stress hinders the manufacture of hydrochloric acid in your body, which is very important for the integration of iron and proteins. The deficiency of iron is equal to lack of haemoglobin and thus, anaemia.
Can anemia cause weight loss?
Studies have found overweight people might lose weight if they address low iron in the blood. You might experience unintentional weight loss along with anemia if you have other conditions, such as cancer.
What kind of infection can cause anemia?
The following are examples of conditions that can cause anemia of inflammation:chronic infections (e.g., tuberculosis, lung abscess, and endocarditis)autoimmune diseases or diseases with inflammation (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, giant cell [temporal] arteritis)More items...
Which of the following is most likely to cause anemia?
The most common cause of anemia worldwide is iron deficiency. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin, part of red blood cells that carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from the body. Iron is mostly stored in the body in the hemoglobin.
Does anemia cause weight loss or gain?
Not taking in enough nutrients can also cause you to lose weight. Dr. Jeffrey notes that weight gain related to anemia has a lot to do with fatigue. "Because of the symptoms that develop with anemia, you might experience weight gain due to lack of normal activity," he says.
What is the fastest way to cure anemia?
If you have iron-deficiency anemia, taking iron orally or getting iron administered intravenously along with vitamin C is often the fastest way to raise your iron levels. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells, which helps the RBCs carry oxygen to organs and other tissues of the body.
What is the most common cause of anemia?
The most common causes of anaemia include nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency, though deficiencies in folate, vitamins B12 and A are also important causes; haemoglobinopathies; and infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and parasitic infections.
What foods cure anemia?
Choose iron-rich foodsRed meat, pork and poultry.Seafood.Beans.Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots.Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.Peas.
How long does it take to recover from anemia?
Several treatments can be used to treat anemia. Iron supplements, also called iron pills or oral iron, help increase the iron in your body. This is the most common treatment for iron-deficiency anemia. It often takes three to six months to restore your iron levels.
What causes aplastic anemia?
Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune diseases and exposure to toxic chemicals. Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. A variety of diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anemia by affecting blood production in your bone marrow.
Why do pregnant women have anemia?
Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. Without iron supplementation , this type of anemia occurs in many pregnant women.
How to avoid iron deficiency anemia?
But you can avoid iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias by eating a diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals, including: Iron. Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit. Folate.
What is the best vitamin for red blood cells?
Besides iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to produce enough healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production. Also, some people who consume enough B-12 aren't able to absorb the vitamin.
What diseases interfere with the production of red blood cells?
Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn's disease and other acute or chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells. Aplastic anemia. This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body doesn't produce enough red blood cells.
What causes blood loss in the stomach?
It is also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy menstrual bleeding, an ulcer, cancer and regular use of some over-the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin, which can cause inflammation of the stomach lining resulting in blood loss. Vitamin deficiency anemia.
How to prevent anemia?
Treatments for anemia range from taking supplements to undergoing medical procedures. You might be able to prevent some types of anemia by eating a healthy, varied diet.
What are the causes of anemia?
Some of the chronic conditions that can lead to anemia include cancers, chronic liver diseases, chronic kidney diseases, chronic infections like hepatitis or HIV, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.
Why is iron deficiency anemia?
When there is an iron deficiency due to a lack of iron from the diet, or an impaired absorption of the iron from the gastrointestinal system, iron-deficiency anemia will occur.
What is the cause of internal bleeding?
The gastrointestinal system is the place where most of these internal bleedings occur, usually due to an ulcer. Ulcerative colitis is another disease affecting the gastrointestinal system which is associated with a prolonged and slow blood loss, often resulting in anemia in men.
How to tell if you have anemia?
In mild cases of anemia, men usually don’t have any signs and symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of anemia when they are present include: 1 fatigue 2 dizziness 3 headache 4 shortness of breath 5 decreased body temperature 6 pale skin 7 chest pain 8 brittle nails 9 frequent infections 10 mouth cracks on the sides 11 spleen enlargement
Can iron deficiency be diagnosed?
It can result from several reasons. In most cases, it is not even diagnosed until the signs and symptoms of anemia are present. Some of the internal bleeding causes that lead to iron-deficiency anemia are quite serious and even life-threatening ones which require diagnosis as soon as possible and proper medical treatment.
Does tea cause iron deficiency?
For this reason, excessive tea drinking can contribute to iron-deficiency anemia in men, making it worse in cases when there is already a problem leading to anemia.
Can IV infusions help with iron deficiency?
IV infusions might be recommended as well in cases of severe anemia when a diet change and iron supplements are not enough to restore the iron and treat anemia.
What causes iron deficiency in men?
Gastrointestinal blood loss is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in men, and the risk of developing a deficiency increases with age. Although symptoms can vary, some of the most common are weakness, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, dizziness and headache. If you suspect you have iron deficiency anemia, ...
Why do men lose blood?
According to the Merck Manuals, gastrointestinal blood loss is the main cause of iron deficiency anemia in men. There are several different reasons why you might be losing blood in the digestive tract. The most common are: Diverticulitis/diverticulosis. Hemorrhoids.
Why do vegans have the highest risk of iron deficiency?
Vegan and vegetarian men are at the highest risk of deficiency due to inadequate dietary intake because the iron in animal foods is more easily absorbed than that in plant foods.
How do you know if you have iron deficiency?
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia. Many men with mild to moderate forms of iron deficiency anemia do not experience any symptoms. However, if the deficiency progresses and gets more severe, uncomfortable symptoms may start. The most common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include: Fatigue (most common symptom)
Why do men need iron?
In men, iron deficiency anemia most commonly develops as a result of blood loss from some type of gastrointestinal issue. Advertisement. Read more: 11 Nutrients Americans Aren't Getting Enough Of.
What is the most common blood disorder and nutritional deficiency worldwide?
Image Credit: karandaev/iStock/GettyImages. Iron deficiency anemia, which is characterized by a low red blood cell count due to a lack of adequate iron in the blood, is the most common blood disorder and nutritional deficiency worldwide.
Does drinking tea with a meal help with iron absorption?
According to the University of California Berkeley, drinking tea with a meal can decrease iron absorption by as much as 50 percent. That's because compounds in the tea, called tannins, bind to the iron and make it less available to the body. Coffee can also decrease iron absorption, but not as significantly as tea.
Overview
- Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. Having anemia, also referred to as low hemoglobin, can make you feel tired and weak. There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe. In most cases, anemia has more than one cause. …
Symptoms
- Anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause and severity of anemia. Depending on the causes of your anemia, you might have no symptoms. Signs and symptoms, if they do occur, might include: 1. Fatigue 2. Weakness 3. Pale or yellowish skin 4. Irregular heartbeats 5. Shortness of breath 6. Dizziness or lightheadedness 7. Chest pain 8. Cold hands and feet 9. Hea…
Causes
- Anemia can be due to a condition present at birth (congenital) or to a condition you develop (acquired). Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells. This can happen if: 1. Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells 2. Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced 3. Your body destroys r...
Risk Factors
- These factors place you at increased risk of anemia: 1. A diet lacking in certain vitamins and minerals.A diet consistently low in iron, vitamin B-12, folate and copper increases your risk of anemia. 2. Intestinal disorders.Having an intestinal disorder that affects the absorption of nutrients in your small intestine — such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease — puts you at risk …
Complications
- Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as: 1. Extreme fatigue.Severe anemia can make you so tired that you can't complete everyday tasks. 2. Pregnancy complications.Pregnant women with folate deficiency anemia can be more likely to have complications, such as premature birth. 3. Heart problems.Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregula…
Prevention
- Many types of anemia can't be prevented. But you can avoid iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias by eating a diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals, including: 1. Iron.Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables and dried fruit. 2. Folate.This nutrient, and its synthetic form folic acid, can be f…
Epidemiology
Diagnosis
- It can result from several reasons. In most cases, it is not even diagnosed until the signs and symptoms of anemia are present. Some of the internal bleeding causes that lead to iron-deficiency anemia are quite serious and even life-threatening ones which require diagnosis as soon as possible and proper medical treatment.
Diet
- The iron found in fish, red meat, and poultry is more easily absorbed compared to the iron that is found in plants. However, this does not mean that a person should consume more red meat for example. A well-balanced diet which includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, etc., will be enough to ensure your body gets all the necessary nutrients. Vegans and vegetarians should be …
Toxicity
- Tea contains tannins which can interfere with the normal absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal system. For this reason, excessive tea drinking can contribute to iron-deficiency anemia in men, making it worse in cases when there is already a problem leading to anemia. However, excessive tea drinking itself is less likely to cause iron-deficiency anemia.
Causes
- It is well known that people suffering from chronic diseases are more likely to suffer from anemia. Some of the chronic conditions that can lead to anemia include cancers, chronic liver diseases, chronic kidney diseases, chronic infections like hepatitis or HIV, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.
Signs and symptoms
- In mild cases of anemia, men usually dont have any signs and symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of anemia when they are present include:
Treatment
- Treatment Anemia, when left untreated, can lead to various health problems. A well-balanced diet is essential in order to increase iron intake with food, which will help correct the anemia. However, often this is not enough and iron supplements are recommended. If there is an underlying condition that had led to iron deficiency anemia in the first place, its treatment is necessary. IV i…
Prognosis
- Anemia in men, when left untreated, or not treated correctly can lead to heart problems as the heart needs to make more effort and work harder by pumping more blood in order to fulfill the bodys requirements for oxygen.