ANAEMIA
WHAT IS ANAEMIA?
Anaemia is a deficiency in the amount and size of red blood cells in the body. This results in a lack of circulating oxygen in blood. the most common type of anaemia is iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron has an important role within the body including carrying oxygen. this causes their heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body so it still gets the oxygen it needs. During heavy exercise, the cells may not be able to carry enough oxygen to meet the body’s needs and you may feel fatigued and unwell.
WHAT CAUSES ANAEMIA?
Anaemia isn’t a disease itself and is a common blood condition, particularly in females. The most common form of anaemia is iron deficiency. Common causes include: Dietary deficiencies (lack of iron, vitamin B12 or folate), malabsorption, chronic diseases, drugs/medications, infection, periods of rapid growth, autoimmune diseases or heavy blood loss (due to trauma, surgery or heavy periods).
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Common symptoms include:
Pale skin
Fatigue and weakness
Breathlessness or dizziness
Frequent headaches
Heart racing or palpitations
Become irritated easily
Difficulties concentrating
Loss of appetite
HOW CAN A DIETITIAN HELP?
The good news is that a dietitian can help! We can help you put various nutritional strategies in place to help you manage your iron levels and reduce some of the symptoms you may be experiencing.
We can work together to:
Tackle nutrient deficiencies by looking at the adequacy of your diet
Come up with food fist strategies to help increase your iron intake and iron absorption
Liaise with your GP to come up with an appropriate treatment plan that meets your needs and health goals
Talk about supplements (if necessary)
Contact Asquith Doctors to book a consult  with me!