What are the signs of anemia, and how can I prevent or treat it?
Advertisement //’); //]]> Medical doctor Anemia usually is related to blood loss or a lack of iron, B12, or folic acid in the diet. In younger women, the most common cause is blood loss during menstruation. Diet deficiencies are a common cause of anemia in older women and men. For younger men, it may result from gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers. Moderate to severe anemia can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, dizziness, fuzzy thinking, breathing trouble, rapid heartbeat, and loss of sex drive. If your health care practitioner has determined that iron deficiency is causing your anemia, you may need to take iron tablets, a high-potency vitamin B complex, and vitamin C twice a day. Continue taking these until your anemia has been corrected for at least three months, to ensure depleted iron stores have been completely replenished. —Glen F. Aukerman, MD, OSU Center for Integrative Medicine, Columbus, Ohio Nutritionist To prevent or help cure iron-deficiency anemia, eat foo
