Are you tired? Wheeze? Confused? The perpetrator may be anemia
If there is a shortage of red blood cells, the amount of oxygen carried through the circulatory system is not sufficient to meet all the needs of the body. This is called anemia.
The condition affects twice as many women as men. Among his symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, depression and the gloomy thoughts. Because these symptoms can be many other causes, anemia often goes unrecognized and untreated.
While some people think that the anemia is “a young woman’s disease,” he relates in postmenopausal women. In fact, anemia hits seniors hard to increase their risk of cognitive disorders (such as problems remembering to pay bills or take drugs). . . physical impairment (eg, the first difficulty standing from the chair, walking or maintaining balance). . . Hospital stay. . . and death. How to protect yourself. . .
All major IRON
Various causes of anemia, iron deficiency is the most common. Iron is essential to the production of hemoglobin, a protein necessary to form healthy red blood cells. Women before menopause are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia due to menstruation and pregnancy, drain the body of iron. But: Many women who enter menopause with iron deficiency remain undiagnosed anemia – because their iron stores are loaded with never enough. Others have been anemic by blood loss after menopause – such as digestive problems.
Self-defense: If you have persistent fatigue and other symptoms of anemia (see table below), ask your doctor for blood test called a complete blood count (CBC), the hemoglobin level. At the same time, specifically ask that your blood is tested for ferritin, the primary form of iron storage in the body. Even if your CBC is normal, more sensitive serum ferritin test could indicate a lack of iron.
Trap: the so-called “normal” ferritin level for women is 12 nanograms per milliliter (ng / ml) 150 ng / ml – a range so vast that it is almost useless.
Recommendation: If your ferritin levels of less than 50 ng / ml, and actions.
It is expected that the solution to eating iron-rich red meat, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, dried fruits and seeds. Providing approximately 3 milligrams (mg) 10 mg of iron per serving, these foods will help meet the recommended daily dose in healthy women 18 mg of iron a day before menopause (during pregnancy or 27 mg) and 8 mg after menopause.
However, in patients with anemia are almost impossible to get enough iron from the diet – because he needs a lot of depleted stores of iron supplement.
Minutes: For my female patients, anemia, iron supplements, I recommend a dose of 2 mg / day 3 mg per kilogram (two pounds each) of body weight. For the 135-pound woman, for example, that 123 mg / day to 184 mg of iron. After three months of re-examination to see if I have a normal ferritin.
Problem: Iron gluconate and other commonly prescribed iron supplements often cause nausea, indigestion, and / or constipation. Worse still, less than half of such supplements with iron actually absorbed by the body.
Refer to right: Some studies show that the chelating agent – which is iron with amino acids – reduce indigestion and enhances absorption.
Options: Nature’s Plus chewable iron, Vitamin C & Herbs (800-645-9500, www. Nature Plus. Com). . . Solgar Chelated Iron (877-765-4274, www. Solgar. Com). . . and FerroSolve, a brand that I am (800-624-1416, www formulated. bonehealthproduct. com). Nutrition-oriented doctor can advise you on how to take a lot of iron, and for how long.
For best absorption, take iron with orange juice or another source of vitamin C. Do not take iron within 30 minutes of drinking tea, coffee or red wine – to block contains tannins, compounds that iron uptake. Iron can interact with and / or reduce the absorption of certain drugs, so you should consult your doctor when to take each dose.
NOTE: If you are treating postmenopausal women, in addition to its iron deficiency, your doctor will check the grounds.
Examples include: hemorrhoids, polyps, and ulcers can cause hidden bleeding, leading to anemia.
Note: If there is no diagnosis of iron deficiency, the daily limit of 45 mg of iron. Iron supplements should only your doctor can order – human genetic disorder hemochromatosis, excess iron, and lead to organ damage are common.
Vitamin bid
The second most common deficiency anemia, vitamin B-12 forms. Seniors are especially vulnerable, because aging reduces the internal factor, the substance of gastrointestinal mucosa, the vitamin B-12 absorption of AIDS. Up to 15% of people over 60 years, vitamin B-12 deficiency is anemia. Blood samples may confirm the diagnosis.
The diet with vitamin B-12 includes mussels, salmon, red meat, eggs and dairy products. But the diet is not generally true, this type of anemia. . . and a number of oral vitamin B-12 supplements are not well absorbed by the body. Some doctors recommend that instead of weekly intramuscular injections of B-12, continue indefinitely in some cases.
Pain-Free Choice: Daily sublingual supplements – Dissolve lozenges are placed under the tongue – B-12 can be quickly absorbed by the bloodstream.
Good Manufacturer: B-12 sublingual physio logic (800-765-6775, www. Physio logic. Com).
The dose normalization: 2500 micrograms (mcg) a day until the B-12 levels, or indefinitely if needed.
From anemia
cause anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells can not. . .
Coldness or numbness in hands and feet
Concentration and memory problems
Cracks in the corners
Depression
Dizziness
Fatigue
Leg cramps or muscle
Nails that look scooped
Pale skin;
Pica (an abnormal appetite for nonfood, such as dirt or paper)
Rapid or irregular heart beat
Shortness of breath
Walking and balance problems.
Self-test: look in the mirror and pull gently inspect alalaug paint inside the lid. . . Next, look at the inner lining of the cheek. If, instead, one white, pink, you may have anemia. If you are not “pink” or if you’re visiting any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor.
Article Source: Blood Test Guide, Interpret Blood Test Results
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