Anemia, also known as iron deficiency, is one of those annoying conditions that can affect you in multiple ways. You’ve probably seen those memes about people with iron deficiency standing up too fast. It’s true that anemia can cause you to pass out more easily, but there’s much more to the condition than that.
According to the Mayo Clinic, anemia can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain. These kinds of symptoms can make life feel difficult sometimes. However, you don’t need to let that get in the way of your pursuit of a healthy, fulfilling life. Here are five ways to help lessen the pains of anemia.
- Get on Birth Control
This might not be the first kind of treatment that comes to mind when you think of anemia. However, the condition can be worsened due to blood loss. Taking birth control has been shown to help ease those who struggle with anemia.
According to a 2021 study published by the National Library of Medicine, oral contraceptives can reduce the amount of blood lost during menstruation. This, in turn, reduces symptoms of iron deficiency. Therefore, birth control is a very accessible solution to combating anemia.
Taking birth control to prevent iron deficiency is also a good idea if you menstrually bleed more heavily than the average woman. For some people, anemia is caused solely by heavy menstrual flow. If that’s the case for you, then taking birth control is one of your best options.
- Eat ore Iron-Rich Foods
Iron is a mineral found in many foods. However, not every food has nutritious amounts of iron in them. Learning which foods can help add more iron into your diet can help alleviate your deficiency.
The National Institutes of Health says that some of the most iron-rich foods are lean meat and seafood. This includes oysters, beef, chicken, pork, and salmon. Red meat, like beef and lamb, tends to have the highest amounts of iron. Meat contains what is known as heme iron, which is easier for your body to absorb.
There are also vegetarian options for iron intake. Beans, spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes, and baked potatoes are all good sources of nonheme iron. This kind of iron takes a bit longer for your body to absorb, compared to heme iron. That does not mean, however, that it’ll be hard for your body to get the nutrients it needs. It just takes a little more processing.
- Try Iron Supplements
Depending on how deficient in iron you are, you might consider taking a supplement. There are various forms of iron supplements you can get over the counter. From pills to gummies, there’s likely to be something out there you won’t mind taking.
There are also different dosages out there. It’s a good idea to talk to a doctor before taking any new supplements. They usually recommend starting on a low dose and seeing how your body reacts. If there isn’t much change within a few weeks, they’ll have you increase the dosage little by little.
It’s also important to take iron pills at the right time. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking the supplement on an empty stomach. However, they also caution that iron might make you nauseated. In this case, your best bet is to take it with a little food.
- Go Easy on the Antacids
It’s a little-known fact, but antacids can actually lower your body’s absorption of iron. If you suffer from regular heartburn, try not to take relieving medications around the same time you take your iron supplements. And if you don’t take iron supplements but regularly take antacids, try to use other methods of combating heartburn. Your body might need a bit of a break.
However, experiencing frequent heartburn and low iron simultaneously could be due to a more serious medical condition. This could actually be a sign of a peptic ulcer. Since ulcers are holes in the lining of an organ, having one in the stomach means you’re losing nutrients.You’ll want to talk to a doctor about possible solutions to combating this digestive ailment.
- Increase Your Vitamin C Intake
This one is a tasty way to increase iron absorption. Some experts say that vitamin C is linked to improved iron levels. Part of this is because both vitamin C and iron are linked to maintaining healthy metabolism.
Vitamin C is in a lot of common foods, thanks to its popular role as an immunity booster. Of course, it’s in fruits like oranges, apples, and strawberries. But the vitamin is also strongly present in broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, and spinach. Plus, many processed foods — like cereals, bread, and pasta — add vitamin C to their nutritional contents.
For a simple addition of vitamin C to your daily diet, try drinking a cup of fruit juice every morning. Apple, orange, grape, and pineapple juice are all tasty drinks that contain high levels of the vitamin. If you’re worried about sugar intake, try to find juice made without added sugar.
Get in Tune with Your Body
It’s important to listen to the signs your body gives you. When suffering from anemia, make sure you’re paying attention to all your symptoms. Even the smallest of symptoms could be the sign of a bigger underlying condition.
Play around with ways to combat your anemia. Some options work better for one person, while not so much for another. That’s because everyone’s bodies are different, so they’ll react differently to stimuli. Don’t let that discourage you, though. Experimenting with ways to help your body improve itself is well worth the time and effort.