Anemia

Having anemia means you don't have enough red blood cells. Your body needs these cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Anemia is fairly common. It's often easily treated. Sometimes, though, it's serious.

When you have anemia, you may feel dizzy, tired, and weak. You may also feel your heart pounding or feel short of breath. It may be hard to focus and think clearly.

A blood test, sometimes done as part of a routine exam, will tell your doctor if you have anemia. Then your doctor will do other tests to figure out what's causing it.

Treatment will depend on what is causing the anemia. Sometimes changing what you eat to include more of a variety of healthy foods may be what's needed. Some people need to take iron pills. Others may need a vitamin like folic acid or vitamin B12.

You may also get medicine or other treatment for any problem that is causing the anemia. Ulcers or a problem in the bone marrow are examples of problems that may cause anemia.

People who are very anemic may need blood transfusions.

• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• If your doctor recommends iron pills, take them as directed:
  • Try to take the pills on an empty stomach about 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. But you may need to take iron with food to avoid an upset stomach.
  • Do not take antacids or drink milk or caffeine drinks (such as coffee, tea, or cola) at the same time or within 2 hours of the time that you take your iron. They can make it hard for your body to absorb the iron.
  • Vitamin C (from food or supplements) may help your body absorb iron. Some people take iron pills with a glass of orange juice or some other food that is high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits.
  • Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and include fruits, vegetables, and fiber in your diet each day. Iron pills often make your bowel movements dark or green.
  • If you forget to take an iron pill, do not take a double dose of iron the next time you take a pill.
  • Keep iron pills out of the reach of small children. An overdose of iron can be very dangerous.
• Your doctor may recommend eating more iron-rich foods. These include red meat, poultry, eggs, beans, raisins, whole-grain bread, and leafy green vegetables. Some fortified cereals and grains are high in iron.