Anemia affects the lives of 10% of all people over the age of 65, according to the National Anemia Action Council. What can you do to prevent anemia? Knowing what the condition is and what causes it is the first step in avoiding it, but it may not be that simple.
According to Web MD, there are over 400 kinds of anemia that are generally placed into three main categories according to their causes: blood loss, insufficient production of red blood cells, and red blood cell destruction.
Anemia by blood loss can occur after child birth, use of anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin) or ulcers. Types of anemia associated with faulty red blood cell production include sickle cell and iron deficiency anemia. Hemolytic anemia falls under the category of red blood cell destruction and sometimes has no known cause outside of family history or strains on the circulatory system such as drugs, infections or toxins from liver disease.
After child birth, anemia caused by blood loss is often expected and can be unavoidable. However, maintaining a good diet before and after pregnancy will lessen the affects of anemia and treat it faster.
Diet also plays a huge role in red blood cell production. According to Women's Health.gov, iron and vitamin deficiency anemia can be avoided by incorporating foods rich in iron such as dried fruits, lean red meat, leafy greens, and iron-fortified cereals and breads. Iron supplements are also an option under a doctor's supervision. Regular consumption of vitamin B12 and folic acid can also prevent vitamin deficiency anemia.
