Which disease affects more than 3 million people in the United States, especially women and those with chronic diseases? Anemia!
Anemia occurs when the body has less than the normal number of red blood cells in the blood or if the body is unable to produce red blood cells as quickly as they die. The disease does take some time to develop, and in the beginning, you might not have any symptoms or may experience very mild symptoms. If you experience these following symptoms, you could have anemia:
*Fatigue and weakness
*Dizziness
*Headache
*Numbness or coldness in your hands and feet
*Low body temp
*Pale skin
*Rapid or irregular heartbeat
*Shortness of breath
*Chest pain
*Irritability
These symptoms can occur because your heart is working extra hard to pump more oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.
So how can you help prevent anemia? Follow these tips below!
Eat Foods Rich in Iron – Make sure that you eat a balanced diet that includes foods rich in iron. This includes fortified breads and cereals, liver, lentils and beans, oysters, tofu, dark and leafy vegetables like spinach, fish, dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, and raisins, and red, lean meats. Also, eat and drink foods that help your body absorb iron such as orange juice, broccoli, strawberries, and other fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C.
Avoid Tea and Coffee at Meals – Coffee and tea are drinks that make it harder for your body to absorb iron. You don’t need to avoid tea and coffee all day every day, but you should refrain from drinking them with meals when your stomach is trying to absorb any iron you consume.
Get Enough Folic Acid and B12 – These are important vitamins and minerals to consume to help you absorb the proper amount of iron, so be sure to add foods rich in folic acid and vitamin B12 to your diet.
Maintain a Proper Balance – By balance, we mean that you should make balanced food choices! Those who eat healthily and have balanced meals get the right amount of iron and vitamins that their bodies need. Don’t fall for food fads and diets – they can deprive you of the minerals and vitamins that you need and can lead to anemia.
Get Tested – If you’re not pregnant, be sure to get tested for anemia every 5 to 10 years. If you happen to have heavy periods, a low iron intake, or have been diagnosed with anemia in the past, get tested every year. This can be done during your regular health exam!
Talk to Your Doctor – Be sure to keep your doctor in the know when it comes to your symptoms. Don’t take any iron pills and supplements without consulting your doctor first, and always follow his or her precise orders for treatment.
While you might not be able to prevent some types of inherited anemia such as sickle cell, these tips should help you lessen or prevent any symptoms you may feel.
The only way for you to know if you have anemia or not is by getting tested. If you want to know if you have anemia, get a test here at Labtest Diagnostics! Visit us online at www.dlabtest.com to find out about our test panels or stop by one of our locations nationwide for a test!
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