Symptoms

The body's red blood cells, with the help of hemoglobin, perform the critical role of transporting oxygen, which provides energy to every cell in the body. If there are too few red blood cells, or hemoglobin is deficient, not enough oxygen reaches the cells, causing *fatigue. Although there are many causes of fatigue, anemia might be considered if the tiredness is constant and physical activity is exhausting. *Heart palpitations and breathlessness are experienced after even a little exercise. Since the brain is particularly sensitive to oxygen deprivation, anemia is often the cause of a difficulty concentrating, irritability, *headaches, *dizziness and *fainting spells.

Outward signs of anemia are pale skin and pale mucous membranes. After some time, the skin becomes dry and the *nails brittle. Anemia leaves the body more susceptible to *colds and other *infections.

In hemolytic anemia, the red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. The main symptoms of anemia are the same, though a few additional ones also occur. The skin and whites of the eyes become tinged yellow from the increased hemoglobin in the blood, and the upper left abdomen becomes painful, caused by an enlarged spleen, which attempts to cope with the increased number of red blood cells it filters out of the bloodstream.

Another type of anemia is related to B₁₂ absorption and intake. Vitamin B₁₂ is crucial not only for the building and development of the red blood cells, but also for the nerve sheaths in the body. If symptoms of anemia are combined with additional symptoms of *restlessness, and tingling or numbness in the legs, then megaloblastic anemia or B₁₂ anemia is likely the cause. A lack of B12 also causes burning in the tongue, accompanied by *stomach aches and loss of *appetite.

Causes

Since iron is the most essential nutrient for blood building and oxygen transport, it is quickly depleted through blood loss. Any form of blood loss, as a result of an accident, *operation or excessive *menstrual bleeding produces an anemic state. Anemia is not always sudden, and can develop slowly over time, especially if bleeding is recurrent. It is often a sign of an underlying illness that causes slow internal bleeding, such as a hemorrhaging *ulcer, intestinal *polyps or *cancer. Anemia can also result from a long-term illness that saps the body of strength, including the *rheumatic diseases and *leukemia. In other cases, a lack of iron is due to poor absorption of stomach acid and inadequate nutrition.

Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are broken down prematurely. This is due to an inherited blood disorder, which changes the shape and life span of the red blood cells. Thalassemia, spherocytosis and sickle-cell anemia are examples of this type. The red blood cells can also dissolve early due to a destructive process in the body, either from toxins or medications, or from an autoimmune problem that causes self-destruction.

Although iron-deficient anemia is a common condition among women and the elderly, a blood test should determine the extent and type of anemia in order for treatment to be optimum. Anemia is typical among *pregnant women, but if it is not severe, it may be considered a normal condition that need not be treated with supplements. In rare cases, *poisoning from toxic chemicals results in the destruction of red blood cells, which causes anemia.

Megaloblastic anemia typically occurs when the enzyme necessary for B₁₂ absorption is lacking. Stores of B₁₂ in the liver last for years, but when they are depleted, the body is deprived of this nutrient and symptoms become evident. The elderly are often afflicted when the stomach no longer secretes the amount of enzymes it should. Chronic *liver diseases, the destruction of the stomach's lining in a rare autoimmune process, and *malabsorption disorders typical to *Crohn's and *celiac disease will also cause megaloblastic anemia, as will folic acid deficiency. Though less common, excessive alcohol and the contraceptive pill will increase the likelihood of anemia.

Nutrition

Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche and Zoltan Rona