Treat Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Anemia is a common blood disorder marked by a low number of hemoglobin and red blood cells, especially in women. Many types of anemia can be caused by an iron deficiency, which is why so many health care professionals recommend a vitamin supplement that contains iron for sufferers of anemia. By finding the right iron supplement, you may be able to successfully treat iron-deficiency anemia.
Instructions
Treat Iron-Deficiency Anemia
1. Visit your doctor or health care professional to determine if you are suffering from anemia that is due to an iron deficiency. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include low energy or lethargy, pale skin, brittle nails, an inability to concentrate and shortness of breath.
2. Ask your health care professional to recommend a good vitamin supplement to treat your iron-deficiency anemia. Consider a multi-vitamin that contains a daily dose of around 325 mg of either ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate, the most easily absorbable forms of iron. In addition, you should look for a vitamin supplement that also contains folic acid, vitamin B-12 and vitamin C, which help the body to absorb iron more efficiently.
3. Include foods that are rich in iron in order to treat your anemia. These include organ meat such as liver, beef, canned clams, soybeans, spinach, chickpeas, lentils, iron-fortified dry cereals, pumpkin and squash seeds, prune juice, kidney beans and sardines.
4. Avoid foods that may block the absorption of iron into your gastrointestinal tract. These may include most dairy products, rhubarb, red wine, chewing gum, coffee, tea, wheat bran and chocolate.
5. Observe any changes in your symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia to determine if your course of treatment is working. You should note an increase in your energy level, color returning to your cheeks, a strengthening of your fingernails or nail beds and more stamina when exerting yourself physically.
6. Schedule a follow-up visit with your health care professional to determine if you have successfully treated your iron-deficiency anemia. Blood work will be performed so that your anemia can be monitored through four specific parameters, including hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, red blood cell distribution and red blood cell size. Your doctor will then be able to report if your anemia is under control.
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