Anaemia

Feeling tired and dizzy? It could be down to a lack of red cells in your blood.

What is it?

Anaemia is when you don't have enough red cells in your blood. This means less oxygen gets taken to the tissues in the body. Approximately one in 10 women in the UK are anaemic, and so are one in 25 men. There are many causes, but the most common reason for anaemia in young people is a poor diet that is low in iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid. Blood loss from heavy periods is another reason.

Signs and symptoms

Anaemia can cause you to feel any of the following:

• Tiredness.
  
• Dizziness.
  
• Palpitations.
  
• Breathlessness.

Treatments

• A balanced diet containing foods such as red meat, liver, eggs, dried fruit, nuts, seeds and pulses will help.
  
• Supplements containing iron, B12 or folic acid may also be needed.
  
• Medical treatment is available for heavy periods.

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