Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks the necessary amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the main part of a red blood cell and has the important role of binding oxygen. If either your red blood cell count or hemoglobin count is too low, this may cause the cells in your body to not get the proper oxygen to do their job. As a result, anemia may result in your organs not getting the proper nutrients and blood supply to function properly.
Anemia is the most common blood disorder, and according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, it affects more than 3 million Americans.
Risk factors for anemia
There are seven main risk factors to consider that could eventually lead to anemia:
1. Frequently donating blood
Although donating blood is great and often encouraged, doing it too many times in a short span of time can negatively affect your own health. Remember to always donate within frequencies — having a set schedule is the best way to do so to maintain your own safety.
2. Age
Young children require more iron and growth for development. This is why consuming dairy and following a proper nutritional diet is key when younger children are developing. Getting less than the recommended value of iron and vitamins could lead to anemia in the long run.
Teenagers are also at a slightly higher risk due to their tendency to disregard sleep. A lack of sleep can cause more stress on the body in the long run and can cause anemia.
3. Menstruation
Any woman who is still viable to have menstruation is at a higher risk of iron deficiency anemia than men or postmenopausal men. Menstruation causes the loss of red blood cells, placing you at an increased risk for the condition.
4. Pregnancy and childbearing years
Due to the excessive blood loss through menstruation and greater demands of blood supply for a developing fetus, pregnant women tend to suffer more from anemia and have a higher chance of getting the condition due to iron-deficiency.
5. Malnourishment
Although younger children are more prone to anemia, anyone who is consistently lacking the essential nutrients and minerals in their body can develop anemia. This is especially true for people who are malnourished in developing nations. Getting the proper amount of nutrients and minerals daily will help those fighting this condition.
6. Victims of sickle cell
Sickle cell anemia is when the patient’s red blood cells are misshaped and cause them to get stuck in smaller blood vessels. Unfortunately for victims of sickle cell, they will most certainly already have some level of anemia by default.
7. Family history
Although you may keep your body nourished properly, having a family member with anemia places you at an inheritably higher risk of the condition when compared to someone who does not have any family history with the disease. Unfortunately, anemia is a possibly inherited disease, placing your risk levels a bit higher than the rest.
Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
Getting diagnosed with ovarian cancer is overwhelming to say the least, and many patients leave the doctor’s office thinking of questions they wish they had asked. Fortunately, you can bring these questions to your next appointment with the oncologist. Patients are encouraged to ask any questions they have to better understand their diagnosis, explore treatment…
Leukemia treatment aggressively targets cancer cells, but healthy cells can also be affected, leading to side effects. An oncology team can prevent problems early and ease symptoms fast. Clear expectations and communication help patients stay safer and more comfortable during care. Many side effects remain manageable when patients report their symptoms early, and supportive care…
Hematologic disease treatment often begins long before a formal diagnosis, because the earliest warning signs appear in everyday life. Fatigue, easy bruising, or frequent infections may not seem serious at first, yet they sometimes indicate that the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system needs attention. Understanding which symptoms matter, how long they last, and when…
Searching for chemotherapy near me often begins when a patient receives a new cancer diagnosis and needs to understand the next steps in care. Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells, and knowing what to expect helps reduce uncertainty. When patients feel prepared, they often experience treatment with more…