Different Anemia Symptoms in Women

Anemia is the most common blood disorder in the world. It can effect people of any gender, but women are more susceptible to the disease. Anemia occurs when there is an inadequate amount of healthy red blood cells. This causes a decreased amount of hemoglobin, which is responsible for most of the body’s iron level. It is also responsible for transporting oxygen to the body’s organs. Without a sufficient amount of oxygen, the organs will be overworked and will also not function properly. The heart will be working harder to help with oxygen production and can become damaged as well. Since women are more susceptible to the disease it is important to know what the symptoms of anemia in women are.

There are many different symptoms of anemia in women that are also symptoms for men. Fatigue, weakness and decreased energy are common among all anemia diagnoses. Since the organs are working overtime and not getting enough oxygen, the body will become very tired and weak. The organs may begin to shut down and the person may even become slightly lethargic. Shortness of breath and dizziness are also common symptoms that are commonly caused by the decreased oxygen. Since the heart is working overtime, heart palpitations and chest pain may also be experienced.

There are some symptoms of anemia in women that are gender specific. Women require a larger amount of iron than men do. Therefore, many women experience iron deficiency anemia. This is especially true among pregnant women because the amount of iron needed is not only for the woman, but for the fetus as well. Headache and stress are common symptoms of anemia in women. This is usually caused by the lack of iron. Pale skin and brittle nails are also common symptoms of anemia in women. Also, women may notice irregular menstrual cycles if they are anemic. Pregnant women may have premature labor or heart palpitations. Also, some women may be infertile due to the anemia.

Treating anemia for women could be as simple as increasing the iron intake. This can be done by simple diet changes to include more iron-rich foods. Red meats, spinach, eggs and beans are examples of this type of food. If that doesn’t work, taking an iron supplement may do the trick. Pregnant women should definitely take an iron supplement. In some cases other treatment is needed. This could include steroid therapy, injections that can increase hemoglobin production, or in severe cases, blood transfusion.

Since anemia can lead to many other health problems for women it is important to start treatment immediately. The first step in doing so is getting the diagnoses. Knowing what the symptoms of anemia in women are will lead you on the correct path.