The blood cells may lack enough hemoglobin, the protein that gives blood its red color. Anemia affects one in 10 teen girls and women. It also develops.

WHAT IS ANEMIA?The blood cells may lack enough hemoglobin, the protein that gives blood its red color. Anemia affects one in 10 teen girls and women. It also develops in men and children and is linked to some illnesses.

Symptoms of Anemia:

Weakness Dizziness Pale skin Headache Numbness or coldness in hands and

feet Low body temperature

Anemia Risk Factors Women and people with

chronic diseases have the greatest risk of anemia. When women lose blood in heavy menstrual periods, they may become anemic. Pregnancy also causes changes in a woman’s blood volume that can result in anemia. A diet low in iron, folate, or vitamin B12 also increases your risk.

Cause: Low Iron Intake

A diet that's low in iron can cause anemia. some foods and medicines can hinder iron uptake when taken with iron-rich foods. They include:

Dairy Other calcium-rich foods Calcium supplements Antacids Coffee Tea

Cause: Vitamin Deficiency The body needs both vitamin B12 and

folate to make red blood cells. Animal-based foods and fortified breakfast cereals are good sources of B-12. Folate is in leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, and peas,and cereals as folic acid.

Cause: Aplastic Anemia Aplastic anemia is a

rare disorder in which the bone marrow doesn’t make enough blood cells to supply the body. It can be caused by high doses of radiation, certain chemical exposures, virus, or an autoimmune disorder in which your body attacks the bone marrow.

Cause: Blood Loss Losing too many red blood

cells is a common cause of anemia. Heavy menstruation, ulcers, injury, or surgery can cause enough blood loss to lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Women who have heavy menstrual periods should be tested for anemia every year.

Diagnosis: Complete Blood Count A complete blood count

test will check your levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. It will also check other factors such as average size, variability in size, volume, and hemoglobin concentration of red blood cells. If you have iron-deficiency anemia, your red blood cells may be smaller than normal..

Diagnosis: Other Blood Tests Blood cells are checked

for an abnormal  appearance. Hemoglobin electrophoresis detects the type of hemoglobin in blood. A reticulocyte count tests how well the bone marrow makes new red blood cells. Iron studies may be ordered to measure iron stores in your body, as well as iron levels in your blood.

Treatment: Iron Iron pills are often needed for

anemia that's caused by a deficiency in that mineral. Ferrous iron is more easily absorbed than ferric iron. It's best taken with food, especially orange juice and other foods rich in vitamin C..

Iron and Pregnancy About half of pregnant women

have iron-deficiency anemia. Pregnant women should get about 30milligrams of iron each day in their diet. Your prenatal vitamin also may contain iron. You may be tested for anemia at your first prenatal visit and after delivery.

Treatment: Medicines Drugs for anemia often treat the

root illness. So in some cases, where the anemia is due to chronic kidney disease, an injection of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) may be needed. The corticosteroid, such as prednisone, can slow the attack and help correct anemia. In sickle cell anemia, a cancer drug called hydroxyurea can lower the number of painful episodes.