Dear Readers,

Josie B., a 23-year-old secretary who lives in Papine, St Andrew, says she visited her doctor because she was feeling tired all the time and not concentrating well on her tasks at work.

The doctor did a blood test and told her that she had anemia. He gave her some iron and vitamin supplements to take. She is feeling a bit better since taking the supplements over the past six weeks, but Josie asks Lifeline what causes anemia.

Josie is right to be concerned about what caused her to be anaemic as anemia is not a diagnosis in itself, but is a symptom of some underlying disorder which is manifesting as anemia! Most people know that anemia means that the blood count is low. What this actually means is that the haemoglobin and the red blood cells travelling in the blood stream have fallen below a pre-determined value thought to be compatible with good health.

The value of haemoglobin is that it binds with oxygen when the red cells pass through the lungs and then later releases this oxygen in the tissues of the body so that the body tissues can go about their functions. The body doesn't function properly when the supply of oxygen to its tissues is low and tends to present with some or all of the following symptoms:

Fatigue

Weakness and tiredness

Pallor

Dizziness

Shortness of breath

Palpitations

Headache

Chest pain

Hair loss

Poor concentration.

For anaemia to occur, there is either a decrease in the production of the red blood cells or an increase in the destruction of these cells. The cause of this will need to be determined in order to properly treat anaemia.

Many women of childbearing age experience mild to severe anaemia due to their monthly menstruation. Some women have very heavy blood flow during the menses, which continues for more than three to five days. When this occurs, their bodies lose more blood cells than is compatible with good health, and they will experience some of the symptoms listed above.

Treatment should involve trying to lessen the blood loss as well as giving hematinics (iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid). Among the underlying causes could be uterine fibroids or hormonal imbalance, which would need to be corrected to prevent anaemia from recurring.

Other common causes of anaemia are:

Over-the-counter aspirin-like drugs such as Advil and Brufen and others.

Prescribed non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (voltaren, Indomethacin, Cataflam, zerodol, and many others).

Some anti-hypertensive drugs.

Cancers such as colon cancer, leukemia, myeloma.

Cancer treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs.

Bleeding stomach ulcers.

Vegans. These are people who do not eat meat at all, only vegetables, and who often become deficient in Vitamin B12, needed to make blood cells.

Kidney failure.

Alcoholics.

HIV.

Hereditary blood disorders such as Sickle-Cell Disease and a thalassaemia.

Acute blood loss via injury and hemorrhage.

The diagnosis of anaemia is by a simple blood test known as the complete blood count. The actual determination of the cause of anaemia will require a proper interview with a physician, full examination, and investigation.

Giving the blood supplements (iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid) both in tablet form and as increased daily dietary requirements is often useful in increasing energy levels and helps to reduce some of the symptoms experienced, but without correction of the underlying cause, the symptoms will recur.

Red meat, liver, egg yolk, dark- green leafy vegetables, salmon, tuna fish, breakfast cereals, yoghurt, and beans are all natural foods which will supply the necessary blood supplements.

Write to:

Lifeline,

PO Box 1731,

KGN 8

AJM