At times, certain conditions can affect women more than men. One of these afflictions is anemia. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has found that on average 20 percent of women have iron deficiency anemia. Head over to our blog to learn more about the disease and what can be done if you suspect that you or a loved one might have anemia.

What is anemia

The body possesses two types of blood cells: white blood cells and red blood cells. The former is responsible for staving off infections. The latter, also called hemoglobin, carries oxygen around the body. Anemia happens when one does not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. There are 5 different types of anemia: aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, and iron deficiency anemia. The condition varies greatly with some people experiencing mild to severe symptoms. In addition, anemia can be short-term and temporary, or long-term with lasting damage to the heart, brain, and other organs. 

In women, the most common type of anemia is iron deficiency anemia. It happens when the body doesn’t have enough mineral iron which is vital in the production of hemoglobin. Without enough iron in the blood, the body can’t receive the necessary amount of oxygen. Women lose more blood monthly due to periods, those with uterine fibroids and certain types of birth control like intrauterine devices (IUDs) that experience heavier and longer menstruation are particularly susceptible. Other factors that make women more likely to experience iron deficiency anemia are pregnancy, which requires women to take more iron than usual, and childbirth, due to the loss of blood. Other causes can include a poor diet, intestinal diseases, or even celiac disease. 

Common symptoms

• Fatigue (ranging from mild to severe)

• Difficulty breathing

• Feelings of weakness

• Strange cravings for inedible items (such as dirt, ice, or clay)

• Tingling sensation in the legs

• Rapid heart rate (even sitting still)

• Pale complexion (including lips, gums, eyelid linings, palms)

• Feeling cold

• Difficulty concentrating

• Swelling of the tongue

• Brittle nails

• Nausea or dizziness

Diagnosis and treatment options

Anemia is diagnosed through a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC) which is usually included in regular checkups. The test measures how much red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit (HCT), the percentage of red blood cells present, are in the blood. The typical hemoglobin (HGB) level for women is 12 grams per deciliter (g/dL), anything under 6.5 g/dL is considered life-threatening. And normal HCT levels should stand at a range of 35 to 46 percent. 

For iron deficiency anemia, health providers can prescribe either a change in diet or iron tablets to raise iron levels. Doctors can recommend that one eat more dark and leafy greens such as spinach, kale, chard, or collards. They can even suggest increased intake of red meat, chickpeas, lentils, soy, or seafoods. 

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(Sources: Thewellproject.org, Healthline)