Editor’s Note: This article is for informational purposes only. You should not use it to replace any professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any health issues. Any questions about your blood health should be directed toward a physician, hematologist, or other licensed healthcare professional.
Overview
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with anemia, you may have a few questions about what it is and how it can affect your life. Anemia is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and understanding it is the first step to getting the treatment you need. Let’s take a look at some basics about anemia and what it means for those who are living with it.
Defining Low Hemoglobin Levels
Low hemoglobin levels are a significant health concern for many individuals, as hemoglobin is the primary substance in red blood cells that serves to carry oxygen throughout the body. Hemoglobin levels usually tend to be lower in people who do not get enough iron in their diet or are otherwise suffering from anemia and related conditions.
Furthermore, certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking and daily alcohol consumption can cause your overall hemoglobin levels to dip. It is important to monitor these levels closely as they can have serious consequences if left unchecked. Low hemoglobin can cause unexplained fatigue, weakness, and lightheadedness along with numerous other symptoms, so it’s always best to research prevention methods and techniques to ensure healthy hemoglobin rates.
Use Mayo Clinic’s scale to learn about the healthy range of hemoglobin levels.
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a medical condition in which your body doesn’t produce enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, so when there aren’t enough of them, your body can’t get enough oxygen to function properly. This can cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and more.
This condition affects millions of people around the world. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions. Anemia can be treated with medication, supplements, or diet changes. If you think you may have anemia, it’s important to talk to your doctor to get a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Anemia is typically diagnosed by a combination of physical examination and laboratory tests. Your doctor will check for signs of anemia such as pale skin or lips, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and/or low hemoglobin levels in your blood test results. Depending on the type of anemia you have (there are several different types), additional tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options
The good news about anemia is that it’s treatable! Depending on the type and severity of your anemia, your doctor may prescribe medication to help increase the number of red blood cells in your body; iron supplements to boost hemoglobin production; or dietary changes to ensure you’re getting enough iron-rich foods in your diet. In some cases, surgery may be necessary if the underlying cause of the anemia cannot be addressed with medications or lifestyle changes alone.
Anemia With The Elderly
Anemia is a health issue that, unfortunately, also disproportionately affects the elderly population. Since it can present many symptoms including fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath, often, an older adult may not recognize the symptoms of anemia. They could simply attribute them to growing old. Yet it is important to seek medical help if any of these signs appear; anemia can severely affect an individual’s quality of life and should be treated as soon as possible.
Treatments often involve eating foods high in iron and other helpful vitamins while taking prescribed supplements; of course, getting adequate amounts of rest also helps since energy is gained through restful sleep. Anemia in the elderly can cause physical problems but is preventable with early detection and proper treatment.
Understanding anemia is important if you want to know how best to manage it going forward. Anemia can affect millions of people worldwide but with proper diagnosis and treatment options available, there’s no reason why anyone should suffer from this condition any longer than necessary! If you think that you might have anemia or are concerned about someone else’s health related to this condition, talk to your doctor as soon as possible for more information and advice on treatment options available for you or them. With knowledge comes power so make sure that you take control of your health today!
Take Charge of Your Health
Maintain a healthy lifestyle despite frequent changes in hemoglobin levels caused by anemia. Track your hemoglobin levels with AnemoCheck today!
AnemoCheck uses cutting-edge technology to measure your hemoglobin levels—and by extension, your healthy red blood cells—to give you a more clear picture of your overall health. It’s more than just anemia—hemoglobin is affected by multiple different factors, and measuring your levels can help you gain a deeper understanding of your body.
