How do I take care of myself?
While some types of anemia are short-term and mild, others can last a lifetime. Regardless, there are several things you can do to help manage symptoms. Here are some suggestions:
- Follow a healthy eating plan: Poor eating habits are the primary reason why people develop anemia. Ask your healthcare provider about iron-rich foods and other foods you should eat to meet your body’s nutritional needs.
- Take your supplements as directed.
- Drink up: Drink lots of water so you stay hydrated.
- Keep moving: Regular exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle. But be sure to check with your healthcare provider about ways to exercise safely.
- Protect against infection: Wash your hands often. Ask your provider about vaccinations that help prevent viral and bacterial infections.
When should I seek medical care?
If you have anemia, you should check with your provider if your symptoms get worse despite treatment or if you notice changes in your body that may be new symptoms.
When should I go to the emergency room?
Anemia may increase your risk of a heart attack. Call 911 if you have the following symptoms:
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breathor trouble breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
- Nausea or stomach discomfort. Heart attacks can often be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn.
- Heart palpitations.
- Anxiety or a feeling of “impending doom.”
- Sweating.
- Feeling lightheaded, dizzy or passing out.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
Anemia may affect your body in many ways. It may happen for many different reasons. If you have anemia, here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- What kind of anemia do I have?
- What caused it?
- What treatments do you recommend?
- When will I start to feel better?
- How long will I need treatment?
- Can you cure it?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Anemia happens when you don’t have enough red blood cells or your red blood cells aren’t working as well as they could. Some people are born with forms of anemia, but most people who have anemia develop the condition over time. That’s why it’s important to keep track of changes in your body. For example, we all have days when we feel worn out. But if you’re feeling very tired for several days despite getting rest, consider talking to your healthcare provider.
FAQs
Anemia is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. Having anemia can cause tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath.
What causes people to be anemic? ›
People who do not get enough iron or certain vitamins and people who take certain medicines or treatments are also at a higher risk. Anemia may also be a sign of a more serious condition, such as bleeding in your stomach, inflammation from an infection, kidney disease, cancer, or autoimmune diseases.
What are 3 symptoms of anemia? ›
Symptoms
- Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise.
- Headaches.
- Problems concentrating or thinking.
- Irritability.
- Loss of appetite.
- Numbness and tingling of hands and feet.
Iron supplements can increase the iron in your body. This may help treat iron-deficiency anemia. Iron supplements are generally not given to people who do not have iron-deficiency anemia because too much iron can damage your organs. Vitamin B12 supplements or shots can help treat vitamin B12–deficiency anemia.
Is anemia life threatening? ›
Untreated anemia can be life-threatening and can even cause death. Anemia results in a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. In the short term, the body can compensate with an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. If left untreated, anemia can cause multi-organ failure.
What is a red flag for anemia? ›
Common symptoms are fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. You should see a healthcare provider if you experience any anemia symptoms. Severe, acute anemia may cause a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness. One of the first screening blood tests done to evaluate most medical conditions is a CBC.
What drink is good for anemia? ›
Iron-rich drinks include apple juice, apricot nectar, beef broth, beet juice, cocoa using natural cocoa powder, “green” smoothies, orange juice, pea protein smoothies, prune juice, tomato juice, and spinach juice.
Will anemia go away? ›
Anemia can affect your life in different ways. Some types of this condition have mild symptoms that ease with treatment. Other types are more serious, like some that people inherit that cause lifelong medical issues.
Can I fix anemia by myself? ›
If it's due to a poor diet, you're in luck: Iron-deficiency anemia is not only the most common form of anemia, it's the easiest to correct if it's related to menstruation or deficiencies in diet. Folic-acid vitamin supplements may also be necessary. You may need to: Eat more foods that are good sources of iron.
What can worsen anemia? ›
Things To Avoid
- Avoid Tannins. Tannins are plant-based naturally occurring substances. ...
- Say No to Gluten. Food items rich in gluten must be avoided as it can worsen Anaemia. ...
- Avoid Phytates. ...
- Beware of Calcium-Containing Foods. ...
- Polyphenols. ...
- Avoid Alcohol Consumption. ...
- Avoid Certain Medications.
There is no evidence that anemia can cause leukemia. However, people with leukemia are more likely to develop anemia. This could be because leukemia, a form of blood cancer, causes anemia, which involves a reduction in red blood cells. Moreover, some leukemia treatments also cause anemia.
Can stress cause anemia? ›
Anemia can be caused by a variety of factors — including stress. Stress can have a huge impact on both our mental and physical health, and sometimes, chronic stress can manifest in the form of anemia. Through effective stress management and medical treatment such as iron supplements, stress-caused anemia can be cured.
Who is most likely to get anemia? ›
Many people are at risk for anemia because of poor diet, intestinal disorders, chronic diseases, infections, and other conditions. Women who are menstruating or pregnant and people with chronic medical conditions are most at risk for this disease. The risk of anemia increases as people grow older.
What lifestyle causes anemia? ›
Lifestyle habits: People who do not get nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid to make healthy red blood cells have a higher risk of anemia. 2 Drinking too much alcohol also raises your risk of anemia.
