Anemia

Anemia Many people link unhealthy living to topics such as obesity and cardio vascular disease but what they do not know is an unhealthy lifestyle can cause blood conditions as well. Anemia is the most common blood condition in the US it affects about 3.5 million Americans (medweb). It is an illness that occurs when blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color (Geretsen). This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Cells in the body do not get enough oxygen if hemoglobin is abnormal or if there are too few abnormal red blood cells. Symptoms then occur because your organs are not getting what they need to function properly. This blood disorder can cause people to feel extreme fatigue. Other symptoms can range from shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, chest pain due to irregular heartbeat, cold hands/feet, and pale or yellow skin, brittle nails, and sore tongue. Anemia has three main causes: lack of red blood cell production, blood loss, or high rates of red blood cell destruction (Geretsen). Red blood cells live about 100 days, so the body is constantly trying to replace them (Geretsen). Often times these causes can be the result of diseases or other factors like lifestye. Many people are risk if they have a poor diet or infections. The risk of anemia increases as people grow older and people who are dedicated to extreme sports are at risk too. Bodies may develop anemia as a result of red blood cells breaking down in the bloodstream after such vigorous activities like running (hematology). There are many types of anemia, in fact over 400 types divided in the three main causes (medweb). However, two that can be a result of poor health or nutrition can include iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency is just like it sounds, it occurs whenever there is a lack of the mineral in the bodies system and it is the most common type of anemia seen across the nation. In order for the body to make hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier, bone marrow in the center of the bone needs iron. Without enough iron the hemoglobin is not produced enough making someone become anemic. Iron deficiency anemia is commonly blamed upon blood loss or because the body cannot absorb iron. This can be a result of diet, mainly in teens, infants, vegans, and vegetarians. Teenagers seem to be less concerned with health issues so they eat whatever they want and vegans/vegetarians lack the nutrients obtained from meat. It can also be caused by: breastfeeding, menstruation, blood donation, endurance training, digestive conditions, foods, and caffeinated drinks. Vitamin deficiency anemia may occur when b12 and folate are deficient. These vitamins are crucial in making blood cells. The causes can depend on ones diet, eating little or no meat may cause lack of vitamin b12 or overcooking few veggies can cause folate deficiency. Successfully treating this blood disorder depends on what causes it in the first place (Geretsen). If you are experiencing iron deficiency due to blood loss, doctors may test you to see if you are loosing blood from your stomach or bowels (hetamology). Other treatments can be simpler and revolve around self-awareness. The Recommended Dietary allowances claim that iron intake for women and teenagers should be around 15 milligrams per day while men should consume 10 mg a day. Taking iron or b12 supplements each day can help heighten levels of these minerals. Including healthier foods with many nutrients in may help. Foods that are rich in levels of iron can be beef, chicken, kale, peanut butter, dried fruits, and nuts would be helpful in battling iron deficiency anemia (Geretsen). In addition, consuming foods high in vitamin C like fruits may allow your body to absorb iron better. If you are lacking b12 or folic acid then you may want to include foods like citrus juices or legumes (hetamology). If you take running and diet/nutrition to the extreme, like me, it is important to take care of your body so it can perform to the best of its ability. It is also important for other non-athletic people so they can continue their favorite hobbies with ENERGY. Anemia can be the bodies ' way of telling you that it is lacking the nutrients to achieve its best on a daily basis. Overall, the body needs healthy red blood cells to function properly. I have seen the affects of my diet, revolving around less meat, take impacts on my health. More importantly to me it took a toll on activities I enjoyed, like exercise and running. Being aware of what your body is signaling is important not only for anemia but any other condition that can be preventable through the correct nutrition.

Works Cited
American Society of Hematology "anemia and blood" Journals of ASH. Web. 25 November 2014

Geresten, MD. "Iron deficiency Anemia" Hematology. 2012. Web 25 November 2014.
WebMd. "What is anemia- the basics" 25 November 2014

Cited: American Society of Hematology "anemia and blood" Journals of ASH. Web. 25 November 2014 Geresten, MD. "Iron deficiency Anemia" Hematology. 2012. Web 25 November 2014. WebMd. "What is anemia- the basics" 25 November 2014