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Are you anaemic?
If you’re feeling tired, listless, weak and more irritable than usual, chances are you could be anaemic. Some estimates suggest up to one in five menstruating women and half of all pregnant women are anaemic.
Anaemia is a common condition caused by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body using a protein called haemoglobin. Anaemia occurs when either the level of red blood cells or the level of haemoglobin is lower than normal. When a person is anaemic, their heart has to work harder to pump the quantity of blood needed to get adequate oxygen around their body. And this, not surprisingly, can cause fatigue.
Don’t ignore the signs of anaemia
The condition itself is often highly treatable but anaemia can mask a more serious condition or a malfunction happening somewhere else in the body.
One of the most common forms of anaemia is the iron-deficiency type usually caused by iron loss from heavy menstrual bleeding or a diet lacking in iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid.
Other causes can include intestinal absorption conditions like coeliac disease, hormone disorders, bone marrow disorders including cancer or infection, as well as chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders.
If you have any the following symptoms it’s worth seeing your doctor:
- paler skin than normal
- tiring easily
- drop in blood pressure when standing from a sitting or lying position (this is called orthostatic hypotension) – this may happen after acute blood loss, like a heavy period
- frequent headaches
- racing heart or palpitations
- becoming irritated easily
- concentration difficulties
- cracked or reddened tongue
- loss of appetite
- strange food cravings
Left untreated, chronic anaemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Your heart must pump more blood to make up for the lack of oxygen in the blood when you're anaemic. Rarely, your heart can enlarge if you have anaemia for a long time and you don't seek treatment.
But most importantly being anaemic makes you feel bad, sapping your energy which mums need in huge supply. So talk to your doctor and find out which treatment is best for you.
Are you at risk?
While anaemia is often at the milder end of the spectrum in younger women, it will often still need some treatment. Women at higher risk of being anaemic include those who:
- have heavy menstruation for longer than 5 days
- have abnormal uterine bleeding, such as from fibroids
- are pregnant – multiple pregnancies and births significantly increase the risk.
If your doctor diagnoses anaemia – often a simple blood test can find out – the treatment will depend on the cause. If it’s dietary, caused by heavy periods or you’re pregnant, your doctor will probably recommend a supplement and talk to you about how to include more iron-rich foods (lean meats, nuts and legumes, green leafy vegetables) in your diet.
In some cases iron or vitamin B12 injections can be recommended, or the doctor may order other tests to make sure your anaemia is not caused by some other underlying condition.
Top tips for more iron in your diet
Taking vitamin C pills or eating foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli and capsicums, at the same time as you eat iron-rich foods or take your iron supplement can also help your body absorb the iron. Some foods prevent your body from absorbing iron, including coffee, tea, egg whites, milk, fibre and soy protein. Try to avoid these foods when you’re eating food high in iron.
Related women's healthy diet articles
- Decode your food cravings
- 10 best foods for women
- 7 smart foods to ensure a healthy pregnancy
- A-Z of vitamins and minerals
- Breastfeeding and your diet
- Children and iron
- High iron diet
- Iron and kids
- Must-know nutrition facts for breastfeeding mothers
- Pregnancy vegetarian diet
- Pregnancy vitamins and minerals
- Pregnancy vitamins: How necessary are they?
This article was written by Fiona Baker for Kidspot, Australia's best family health resource. Sources include Sources include Better Health Channel.
Last revised: Thursday, 12 April 2012
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.
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