Anaemia

Question 1

What is Anaemia?

Answer 1

It is a condition when you have an abnormally low amount of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, a red pig kent which gives blood it’s colour. The job of haemoglobin is to carry oxygen around the body.

When red blood cells and therefore haemoglobin are low the blood goals to supply the body’s tissues with sufficient amounts of oxygen. As your lungs and heart will then have to work harder to get oxygen into the blood, symptoms of anaemia such as difficulty breathing will begin to develop.

Question 2

What causes Anaemia?

Answer 2

Pregnancy

Blood loss in injury

Child/ teen growth spurt

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Genetic condition

Inefficient spleen

Poor diet

Question 3

What are the symptoms?

Answer 3

The most common :

• tiredness and lack of energy
• shortness of breath
• noticeable heartbeats
• a pale complexion

Less common :

• headache
• hearing sounds
• an altered sense of taste
• feeling itchy
• a sore or abnormally smooth tongue

Question 4

Medical & Dietary Treatment

Answer 4

Iron supplement

Vitamin B12 supplements

Swallowed with fresh orange juice

Dietary change with foods high in iron such as green vegetables