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How Long Does it Take to Fully Recover From Anemia?
If you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells in your body, you may be experiencing anemia. Red blood cells work hard to deliver oxygen to body tissues; if you don’t have enough, you can experience anemia symptoms. Both men and women experience anemia, but certain life experiences can make you more at risk for developing anemia. Luckily, there are ways to treat anemia, and people generally recover well.
Why are Red Blood Cells Important?
Most of the work to make red blood cells is done in the bone marrow, the soft tissue located in the center of the bones. This tissue helps make all blood cells and healthy red blood cells usually have a lifespan of between 90 and 120 days. Your body removes old blood cells, and your kidneys signal to bone marrow to generate new red blood cells.
Inside the red blood cells is an oxygen-carrying protein called hemoglobin, and usually people with anemia don’t have enough hemoglobin. The body needs nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to make enough red blood cells, and a deficiency can impact production. Folic acid, iron, and vitamin B12 are three essential nutrients to make red blood cells.
What Causes Anemia?
The most common causes of anemia are vitamin B12 or iron deficiency. Certain medicines, pregnancy, or other diseases can cause these to be low. Pregnant women often experience iron deficiency anemia and can take supplements or change their diet to increase the amount of iron they consume. It’s essential to take the correct form of iron so that the body can adequately absorb it.
People who have experienced a large amount of blood loss, have chronic illness, take certain medications, or have diseases that affect bone marrow can experience anemia. It’s critical to work with a doctor if you are experiencing anemia. They will run specific lab work to determine exactly what type of anemia you are dealing with, and then develop a proper treatment plan.
Signs of Anemia
There are some common symptoms that most people suffering from anemia experience. Their anemia is often discovered because they start developing symptoms that affect their daily lives. Over time, you may notice some of the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Feeling weak or tired
- Appetite loss
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Tingling and numbness in hands and feet
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to be examined by a doctor to rule out any more serious health issues.
Work With a Doctor that Understands Anemia
Working with a doctor who is knowledgeable about anemia can help you get to the root cause of your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. . Dr. Mashner and his team enjoy working with their clients to discover the root causes of their health concerns . Give our office a call today to schedule your first appointment. We enjoy serving our clients from the Gulf Shores, and Baldwin County, Alabama areas.
