Posts Tagged ‘anemia’

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Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

Comments: 0December 13th, 2011 by admin



How can Iron Deficiency Anemia be treated?

Its not about diagnosing your problem but getting down to what’s causing it. In this case taking a proper diet and also supplementation of iron rich vitamins for a short period to bring your iron blood levels to normal and then stopping the treatment as extra iron could lead to toxicity.

Taking Iron with Vitamins

Supplementation with the right vitamin formulations. We are all different in our cellular body make-up. You will find that the iron levels will vary from person to person and also during the life cycle of the individual. What I mean by this is that iron deficiency is more prominent among women and will be seen more so in their early years. Women menstruating will have less iron than women not in their monthly cycle. Men do not necessary have iron blood levels that are low and do not have a similar problem as women. Men have to be careful that they select a multimineral that has no iron in it.

Take vitamins that have been tested and rated for their potency, purity, safety, bioavailability and balanced formulations. All supplements are not created equal and it is important not to go just by the recommendation of the chemist. Do some research of your own on this subject of vitamins tested and rated. You can access alot of independent information out there for you to read on this subject. One such resource is “The Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements” by Lyle MacWilliam Bsc, Msc, FP. You will save not only money but your health will improve with high potency supplement products.

Supplement with Iron

In fact supplementation with iron in the vitamin should not be present unless you have had a blood iron test done and your doctor has recommended you to go on a course of iron vitamins for a few months to increase your iron levels in your blood. Do not take the iron pills unless you really need them. The potency of the tablet will be determined upon the results of blood test.

Check your Blood Iron Levels, Consult your Doctor

It is important that you check your iron levels in your blood after you have been on the iron supplements and see if you should lower your iron intake or even stop it altogether.Iron supplementation should take place under the direction of your family doctor.

Women as you are aware, vitamins with iron should not be taken unless you need them. You may have to be on the iron supplements for a few months to get your low iron levels up and only stop taking them or reduce the dosage after a doctor has checked your latest blood iron levels again. Then you will need to go back on a normal high potency vitamin with no iron in them. It would be advisable to check your iron levels regularly.

Side Effects

If you are experiencing any side effects please consult your doctor and reduce the levels if need be. Supplementation of iron can cause constipation and discoloration of bowel movements. Iron pills need to be taken with orange juice on an empty stomach to avoid constipation. Constipation may occur when you start your iron supplements in some cases. All you need to do is lower the dosage and slowly increase it to the full dosage in a few days. You may be able to reduce constipation by taking your iron pills with lots of water on an empty stomach. You may take iron pills with citrus fruits. Orange juice maybe a very good suggestion. The Vitamin C in citrus fruits helps the iron pills to be easily absorbed and reduces constipation.

List of Iron Rich Foods

Pork roast, cashew nuts, shrimps, raisins, sardines, spinach, lima beans, kidney beans, turkey, dark meat, prune juice, roast beef, peanuts, eggs, green beans, potatoes, eggs, Oysters, prunes, beef liver, clams, walnuts, ground beef, chickpeas and bran flakes are a few examples.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

Iron in our blood is not visible to the naked eye and hence we do not worry about the iron levels until its symptoms arise. It is hugely forgotten so much so we forget how important it is to be present for our bodies to function in a proper balanced way. If iron is very low in our blood we will be left feeling very tired, disorientated or even depression may set in.To prevent this proper supplementation under the supervision of your doctor is important. Now you may go to the other extreme and take too much iron and that could leave you constipated, severe heart burns or upset tummies. This condition must be monitored by your doctor with a regular blood test.

Excessive Iron Over Dose

Hemochromatosis is characterised by the excessive absorption of iron. Normally, excess iron is safely stored in various joints and organs in the body, especially in the the liver. When a person suffers from haemochromatosis, excessive iron stores keep rising in time, the liver will enlarges and gets damaged, leading to serious diseases. One such disease is the cirrhosis of the liver. Other problems that can be caused by excessive amounts of blood iron include heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Both sexes, male and female are at risk, though women tend to develop the disease later in life, since regular menstrual periods deplete the body of much needed iron. As the symptoms are similar to a number of diseases haemochromatosis tends to be under-diagnosed. Excessive amounts of iron can be reduced by taking out blood from the patient and by reducing the intake of iron rich foods.

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Crohn’s Disease and Its Symptoms!

Comments: 0November 27th, 2011 by admin



When you witness an inflammation of the digestive tract then it is known as Crohn’s Disease (CD). Such disease is commonly seen in gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It affects the GI tract right from the mouth region to the anus. It can affect any area of the gastro intestine. The lower part of the small intestine, known as ileum is also affected by CD.

If there is a dearth of protein and fiber in your diet, then the chances of CD is high. People who smoke a lot are prone to such disease. And our natural defence mechanism known as the immune system instead of protecting us will start attacking the intestine. It is said that nearly 20 percent of people with this disease will have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease. It is confined to one section of the society and it is commonly seen both in men and women. Various studies have revealed that although this disease in the gastrointestinal tract is common in all ages, individuals of the age group 20 and 30 have a greater risk.

People who suffer from Crohn’s disease are said to have weak immune system. This is a natural defence mechanism and may lead to problems when it gets weak. You may have to undergo a test to assess your blood count. Lack of vitamin B12 causes lower blood count and the patient may suffer from anemia. It is ileum that absorbs vitamin b12 from the food products. Due to Crohn’s disease, ileum gets affected and there is lower absorption of vitamin b12. As a result patients suffer from anemia and lower blood count too.

Abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea are the common symptoms of CD. Other symptoms such as weight loss, arthritis, rectal bleeding, skin problems, fever, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones and diarrhea may also be evident in few. The disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage and thus results in blockage of intestine. Therefore, it is necessary to detect it at the earliest and treat it. Eating more protein rich foods and fiber foods can bring about a greater relief and reduce the symptoms of this disease. Get into the habit of eating smaller meals which are more frequent rather than bigger meals. Carry out a good exercise regime and sleep well. With all these followed diligently, you can get rid of the CD symptoms.

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What to Expect From the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) Test For Iron Deficiency Anemia

Comments: 0November 2nd, 2011 by admin



If your doctor believes that you are suffering from the blood disorder known as iron deficiency anemia, it is likely that a “Total Iron Binding Capacity” or “TIBC” test will be ordered. This test is really easy to understand. It simply takes a measurement of the iron that is located in the blood.

The medical professional that interprets the test will be able to determine if there is an excess of iron within the blood, or if there is a lower than normal amount of iron in the blood. This is made possible by the fact that when iron is transported within the blood, it attaches to a special protein referred to as “Transferrin”. The test works to discover the measurement of this protein.

Preparation

If you are ordered to take the “Total Iron Binding Capacity” test for iron deficiency anemia, it is important to ensure that you know and understand how to effectively prepare for it. You should understand that, because this is a blood test, the blood will be drawn from one of the veins in your body.

An antiseptic is used to clean the injection spot – which is typically from the inside of the area of the elbow or perhaps on the hand. Then, an elastic form of a band will be tied on the area of the upper arm so that the vein swells and becomes visible. The blood is then collected into a vial where it can be sealed and sent for testing.

Test Results

If the test comes back abnormally and there is a high amount of iron in the blood, it typically means that you have iron deficiency anemia. It could also mean that you are in the late stages of pregnancy too. If the test results in low iron levels, it may mean that there is an issue with the liver, you are experiencing a type of malnutrition, you may have Hemolytic Anemia, pernicious anemia, or Sickle Cell Anemia.

Your medical doctor will be able to determine an appropriate course of action if you have Iron Deficiency Anemia, or any other condition that the “Total Iron Binding Capacity” test reveals.

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A Deficiency in This Vitamin May Be the Cause of Anemia, But Eating These Foods Can Help

Comments: 0October 30th, 2011 by admin



There are many different things that can cause anemia but one thing that may be causing anemia is a lack of Vitamin B6 in ones diet. Although anemia from a deficiency of Vitamin B6 is not as common…because so many foods contain B6…it can happen. But to fix it, it is easy to get ones daily recommended allowances of this vitamin through certain foods. So if you are feeling like you might have anemia, try adding these foods to your diet:

liver bacon cashew nuts tomato juice turkey chicken beef cereals that are fortified with vitamins bananas baked potatoes peppers (red and green)

Besides Anemia, what does research say can happen if one doesn’t get enough Vitamin B6 in his diet? There is a higher risk of stroke and some types of heart disease. There is also a chance of getting depression. Research has shown that 1.4 mg per day for an average adult (not including pregnant or lactating women) is a sufficient intake of Vitamin B6.

Also, note that taking too much B6 can cause nerve damage – especially in the outer extremities. In the majority of cases, though, eliminating any vitamin supplements appears to eliminate the nerve problems altogether. So remember, not to take too much B6. However, if in an unlikely event that an overdose happens, it is very unlikely that it would be from ingesting foods high in Vitamin B6, bur rather, it would be more likely that it was caused by taking too many B6 supplements.

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Anemia and Kidney Dialysis Patients

Comments: 0September 8th, 2011 by admin



A large percentage of chronic kidney failure patients suffer from anemia, but what makes them so susceptible to this problem?

Most people think their kidneys do only one thing – purify the blood. But among other things, the kidneys secrete the important hormone erythropoietin (also known as EPO), which controls red blood cell production (the amount of iron in your diet is also important). The EPO tells your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. As kidney failure progresses (indeed even before you know you are suffering from kidney failure), your kidneys ability to produce erythropoietin is reduced, so your bone marrow receives less signals to spring into action and so less red blood cells are produced. This is anemia.

As the concentration of red blood cells reduces, your blood carries less and less oxygen, and symptoms of anemia start to be obvious when your kidneys have dropped to around 45% of their usual ability. As kidney failure increases, you become more anemic. Telltale signs of anemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, feeling cold all the time, looking pale, problems concentrating, headaches, and sometimes chest pains. Women also have changes in their period, while men may have trouble with erections.

Your heart now has to work harder than normal, because with less red blood cells and thus less oxygen being carried by your blood, you need more blood pumping around to give you a chance of extracting enough oxygen as you go about your daily life. This in turn can lead to heart problems (and a surprisingly large percentage of chronic kidney failure patients have heart problems). One of the four heart chambers enlarges and chronic kidney failure patients suffer often suffer from left ventricular hypertrophy, also known as LVH.

So if you have several of the symptoms of anemia listed above, it is important to see your doctor and have anemia blood tests carried out. Your doctor will probably also recommend that you have some tests for kidney failure carried out as well, just to be on the safe side.

Fortunately anemia can be treated. This usually involves for kidney failure patients injections of EPO and iron supplements. (Iron supplements, because if the iron content of your body is too low, EPO can’t do its job properly – red blood cells have iron as an important constituent, present in haemoglobin as the part of the molecule that carries the oxygen around.)

As your diet can affect the amount of iron in your body, and hence your ability to produce red blood cells, you may also wish to consult your renal dietary consultant – it isn’t simply a case of eating any food that contains iron. Some foods increase your ability to excrete iron, and some combinations of foods are not suitable for kidney dialysis patients.

As kidney failure patients have a hard enough time as it is, reducing problems due to anemia makes life a little bit more bearable for them. One last word – if you see a charity or hospital asking for help to buy dialysis machines – give generously.

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Cat Health Issues – Anemia

Comments: 0August 11th, 2011 by admin

Anemia is a cat health issue that many cat owners deal with. It is usually noticed first when the cat yawns and you see its normally pink mouth is a little whiter than usual. Other symptoms you may notice include a pale tongue and pale gums around it’s teeth. If you notice these things odds are your cat may have anemia.

Other things you can check to determine if your pet has anemia is to look at the conjunctiva, the pink area around the eyes. If they appear to be pale or have a transparent tone instead of being light pink in color, you may well be dealing with anemia. If you find these symptoms you may then want to have a vet check your pet over to get a proper diagnosis. Anemia will affect your cat’s mood making them weak, listless and lethargic. Other symptoms you may see include shallow breathing, fever and discolored urine.

Veterinarians can determine anemia by taking some blood and doing a blood count. This checks the amount of red blood cells and other data. Some vets will also complete a test for Feline Leukemia Virus also to help determine the problem.

If the vet finds abnormal readings this may be the indicator of anemia. Always remember that at times the cat may look healthy to you but still be anemic.

Anemia appears with different severity. The more extreme cases of anemia may be deadly to your loving pet. To avoid having bad scenarios with anemia in your cat you should take care of your cats health by getting routine checkups. Early detection and prevention are key factors in protecting your pet.

Anemia is caused by a reduction in the number of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow or a reduction in the amount of circulating cells.

In severe cases your cat may need a transfusion which also includes making sure that the blood your pet is receiving is a compatible blood type. In less severe cases your cat may be treated with medicine and diet. Erythropoietin replacement is used for cats with chronic kidney failure. Other types of anemia may be caused by cancers or terminal infections that are not treated effectively.

Monitor your cats health routinely to enjoy a long happy life together.

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Vitamin Deficiency Anemia – Its Cause and Cure

Comments: 0June 12th, 2011 by admin



Do you feel weak and tired? Headaches have become inseparable part of your life? At times you come across dizziness, total confusion and even get depressed? Then you need to go for check up for it might be anemia. Yes even if you do not suffer from iron deficiency it is possible to suffer from anemia. Iron deficiency is not the only cause of anemia; it can also result from vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential for the production of red blood cells. Deficiency of these vitamins leads to anemia.

Anemia takes place when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the organs and the tissues of our body. You feel tired and weak if you suffer from anemia because your body doesn’t get enough oxygen due to the lack of red blood cells in our body.

Vitamin deficiency anemia occurs when your diet doesn’t contain the required amount of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Inadequate intake of vitamin C can also be a cause of anemia because vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron, thus when it is not added in regular diet it reduces the iron absorption leading to anemia.

Vitamin deficiency anemia can be easily cured by including vitamin rich food in your daily diet. It’s not always possible to make your food vitamin rich, some or other vitamin is always missed out and even if we try to get them in our food, it is not present in exact amount so it is not very helpful in overcoming vitamin deficiency. But taking vitamin supplements can help you solve this problem. Various vitamin supplements are available in the market. They can even be bought directly on the internet

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Consulting Your Veterinarian About Your Dog is Your Best Bet

Comments: 0May 11th, 2011 by admin



Pet owners, who are lucky enough to keep a dog at home, are best advised to check with the veterinarian in order to make sure their furry friend is in top shape. Considering the amount of junk mixed up with dog food and other supplements, it is hard to tell if your dog is receiving the benefits a well balanced diet has to offer.

Start out by selecting a good veterinarian, if you don’t already have one. A reputable vet will only have your dog’s best interest in mind. Through a thorough examination, the veterinarian will be able to diagnose your dog’s health condition. Some may be obvious, such as a weight issue, or deteriorated teeth and gums. But other conditions such as anemia and renal problems may not be so easy to detect.

After a careful examination, you are likely to be recommended a diet for your dog, which more often than not will turn out to be dry kibbles. A bag of kibbles is the most common suggestion due to its teeth cleaning properties. As the dog chews on dry food, he will also be cleaning his teeth and gums. However, you could end up with a totally different diet depending on the examination results. Your vet will want to discuss your dog’s eating habits, including feeding schedule and the quality and quantity of snacks you give him.

Every dog is unique, and as he grows and ages, your vet will get to know him better. As time goes by you will find yourself working together with the veterinarian as a team, and figuring out what best influences your dog while discarding others. Some animals have unique eating disorders that can lead to overweight issues, and thus, require special treatment and a controlled diet. Other specific qualities of your dog may be his surroundings. It is almost certain that your vet will suggest different servings for dogs living in an apartment, than their counterparts living in the country.

The eating habits of your dog are of upmost importance to his health. Your pet’s vet will be able to recommend any vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements to feed your dog in the event he is lacking any essential nutrients in his meals.

Some of the things your vet will be on the lookout during your visit will be healthy teeth and gums, healthy joints, strong skin and fur, among others. Usually these ailments are treated through the dogs food, or through the use of supplements in his diet. Thus discussing what your dog eats with the veterinarian is a complete must.

Avoid the common mistake of diagnosing your dog, or making decisions on your own based on jingles and reading labels at store shelves. Talk to the veterinarian, and decide what’s best for your pet together. In the end, your dog will be the one to benefit from an informed decision.

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What is Aplastic Anemia?

Comments: 0May 7th, 2011 by admin



Aplastic anemia is a condition that can have a significantly negative effect on the cells in a human body. Even if the illness is considered to be a rare one, thousands of individuals are still diagnosed every year worldwide. A number of treatment options are available for patients with this disease; however, there are cases when the body does not respond positively to the treatment – these are the cases when the disease can lead to life-threatening situations.

Every human body has platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells traveling through its bloodstream at any given time; all of these cells are responsible for ensuring that the body’s functions are carried out properly. The bone marrow (which is the spongy material located in the center of the bones) is where these cells are produced. The bone marrow is responsible for keeping the blood cells healthy and producing at a rate which the body requires; when a person is diagnosed with this disease, it means that their body is not producing the blood cells in the rate that is needed for the body to keep functioning in a healthy way.

Details of Aplastic Anemia

A lot of people are wondering how is different from other types of blood cancer, such as leukemia. The fact of the matter is that these cancers are all related in some way, with every single one of them attacking the human body’s blood. More serious cases have a way of eventually developing into full-blown leukemia.

When an individual’s blood level does not have adequate amounts of red blood cells, aplastic anemia occurs. These red blood cells are essential in making sure that oxygen is carried through the different parts of the body. Without these cells (and as a result, without the adequate amounts of oxygen carried throughout the body), it is not possible for a person not to feel fatigue and dizziness on a regular basis. A person who is positively diagnosed has bone marrow that has ceased to

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Natural and Alternative Health Remedies for Anemia & Iron Poor Blood

Comments: 0March 26th, 2011 by admin



Anemia or iron poor blood is a condition where there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells in the body to carry sufficient amounts of oxygen to the tissues. Each of our red blood cells contains hemoglobin, an iron rich protein that gives it its red color. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body.

If you loose too many red blood cells, destroy them before they are replaced or produce cells that are unhealthy, you can end up experiencing symptoms of anemia. Symptoms can include fatigue, chest pain, angina, shortness of breath, irritability, dizziness, light headedness, rapid heartbeat, numbness or coldness in extremities, headaches or pale skin.

Anemia can result from inherited disorders, nutritional problems (such as iron or vitamin deficiency) infections, some kinds of cancer, exposure to drugs or toxins. In fact there are over 400 different forms of anemia; however, in this article we will focus on the most common forms, iron deficiency anemia, B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.

Iron Deficiency Anemia – Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the amount of iron in the body is too low, thus affecting hemoglobin production. It is most often found where there is ongoing blood loss, such as in women with heavy menstrual periods, as well as in individuals who suffer from conditions such as bleeding ulcers, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids, colon polyps or colon cancer. Other causes can include issues with absorption, where the body is unable to absorb iron from the foods we eat, or eating a diet low in iron.

In addition to iron, the body needs vitamin B12 and folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these nutrients are prone to anemia as well.

B12 Anemia – There are a few reasons why someone may suffer from B12 anemia. They include the inability of the body to absorb vitamin B12, such as those with intestinal disorders which affect absorption of nutrients. The individual may also suffer from Pernicious Anemia where the body stops producing a substance called “intrinsic factor”, which is needed to absorb B12 from the diet. Another cause many of us have heard of is a vegetarian diet which excludes eggs, dairy products, meat and fish – all of which are sources of vitamin B12.

Folate Deficiency – Similar in cause to B12 Anemia is folate deficiency. Folate, or folic acid is found in foods such as leafy green vegetables. Over the years, cases of folate deficiency in the US have declined, since many of the grain product and cereals we eat are fortified with folic acid. During pregnancy, however, increased levels of folic acid are necessary to prevent defects of the brain and spiral cord of the fetus.

Thankfully, there are a number of natural and alternative health remedies you can try to help restore health, healing and wholeness in your life.

Recommendations For Wellness

In addressing anemia it is important to know its cause, so talk to your doctor and ask him/her to run a blood test to evaluate your health and help you to determine what type of anemia you may have.

Excessive iron can be toxic to the body, so do not take iron supplements without first talking to your health care provider.

Eat a well balanced diet which includes a variety of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Avoid drinking coffee, tea, beer or cola drinks with your meals. They can significantly lower iron absorption. Instead, drink citrus juices or supplement with vitamin C. Vitamin C has been show to help support the body’s ability to absorb iron.

Take a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement to support any nutritional deficiencies that may be found in the body.

Herbs such as dong quai, dandelion, barley greens and alfalfa are all great sources of vitamins and minerals.

The herb yellow dock is a natural and organic source of iron as is blackstrap molasses.

Panax ginseng can be used to help counteract the fatigue experience by those who suffer from anemia.

If your anemia is associated with a B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency, supplement with a complex B vitamin. Folic acid needs the catalysts vitamins B12 and B6 to carry out its functions effectively.

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