Anemia can cause fatigue and light-headedness.
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People with anemia have a shortage of red blood cells and hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen cells throughout the body. It is basically a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
Types of anemia are due to blood loss, due to decreased red blood cells production and due to increased red blood cell breakdown. One can lose blood due to trauma and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Cause of decreased red blood cells production is iron-deficiency and lack of vitamin B12. Increased breakdown of red blood cells can be due to genetic conditions like sickle cell anemia, infections like malaria and some autoimmune diseases.
Iron-deficiency can be caused by not taking iron-rich foods or excessive menstrual flow in women. Anemia is more common in males than females. Increased anemia can cause one to be pale.
When anemia comes on slowly, symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and a hard time with exercise. When it comes on quickly, symptoms include confusion, light-headed mess and increased thirst.
You can increase iron by consuming lean meat, beans, cereals or taking iron supplements and advised by your doctor.
The 2 types of iron are heme and nonheme. Heme iron is easily absorbed by the body and can be found in meats. Nonheme iron is not easily absorbed by the body as heme iron is. Foods rich in nonheme iron are vegetables, salads and cereals (plant foods).
Eating food rich in vitamin C together with foods rich in nonheme iron can enhance absorption of the nonheme iron.