Living with Anemia

In people with anemia the blood has a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen from the lungs to your body’s organs and tissues. The decreased supply of oxygen to the tissues can affect you and cause symptoms such as fatigue or feeling tired, pale skin or pallor, difficulty in concentration, fast heart-beat, shortness of breath. Initially, the symptoms may be mild and can go unnoticed but the symptoms worsen as anemia worsens. Here are a few ways that will help you cope and live with anemia.

• Appropriate treatment can improve your symptoms, quality of life and help you live longer. But remember that all types of anemia (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, aplastic anemia) cannot be cured even with proper treatment. Some types of anemia can be severe, long lasting, or even fatal.
• In children (young children, teenage girls) nutritional anemia is the commonest cause of anemia. Take your child to a doctor and ask them  for a diet plan and some supplements (such as iron, vitamins B12 and C, and folic acid) to combat nutritional anemia.
• Pregnant women should be especially cautious about anemia. Anemia in pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth or a low-birth-weight baby. You should go for regular antenatal check-ups, and take the recommended supplements as advised.
• Anemia is common in elderly due to chronic diseases, lack of iron, and/or generally poor nutrition. The signs and symptoms of anemia may not be obvious as in many elderly anemia may be associated with other diseases. Consult your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment if you have any signs or symptoms of anemia.

If your doctor cannot diagnose the cause of your anemia orthe treatment that should work is not doing so consult another doctor or a blood specialist.

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