$Unique_ID{BRK00721}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Advice on a Diet for Treating Anemia}
$Subject{anemia diet hemoglobin Blood cell red cells fatigue dizziness
weakness shortness breath headaches drowsiness irritability bleeding ulcers
overactive spleen iron nutritional diets nutrition ulcer headache dizzy}
$Volume{D-26}
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Red Blood Cells*0002103.scf
Anemia*0009200.tid
What is Anemia?*0009201.scf
Symptoms of Anemia*0009202.scf
Dietary Cause of Anemia*0009203.scf
Some Types of Anemia are Inherited*0009204.scf
Bleeding Ulcers can Cause Anemia*0009205.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Advice on a Diet for Treating Anemia


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QUESTION:  After months of feeling run-down most of the time, just not myself,
I visited my family doctor, as you so often suggest.  His diagnosis was a mild
anemia because my hemoglobin was low, and only suggested a diet as the means
of treating it.  I thought anemia was caused by a blood loss, and I certainly
don't consider a diet a strong enough medicine to put things in order.  May I
have your advice?

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ANSWER:  Let's start by defining anemia for you.  It really means either a
decrease in the number of red cells, or a reduction in your hemoglobin.  That
means you may have fewer red blood cells, where each one carries a full quota
of hemoglobin, or a normal number of cells where each one is less than fully
charged with hemoglobin.  In either case, the quantity of hemoglobin your body
needs to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues is reduced, and that can
cause symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, and weakness, as well as shortness of
breath.  In more serious cases headaches, drowsiness and irritability may
develop.  There are three major causes for anemia.  Blood loss due to acute
bleeding, as in injury, or chronic but steady loss from such diseases as
bleeding ulcers can require emergency treatment.  In certain diseases red
cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced, as with an overactive
spleen.  The most common is when blood fails to form properly, lacking
sufficient hemoglobin because of an iron poor diet or the failure of the body
to use iron correctly.  This is probably your condition.  The diagnosis was
helped by your history and physical examination, but an examination of your
blood made the evaluation of the type of anemia possible.  When the cause is
nutritional, where there are insufficient amounts of iron in the diet, the
best and most lasting treatment is to change your diet to include foods rich
in iron.  These include beef, liver, chicken, spinach (yes, Popeye was
right!), eggs, cheese and milk.  Not only will this remedy your situation, but
also prevent it from recurring.  Medications are not always required to treat
a situation, but often simple changes in diet and life style can permanently
correct the condition.  Your doctor was right on.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.