Abstract. Anemia is associated with poorer sleep in children, and clinically, anemia is linked to insomnia. However, the association between anemia and insomnia in older adults is understudied.
Fatigue. Tiring easily, and waking up tired even after a good night's sleep, are common and potentially serious symptoms of anemia. This is due to reduced and compromised red blood cells that naturally cannot carry the required levels of oxygen to the organs – which, in turn, cannot function efficiently.
One of the best ways to manage anemia-related fatigue is to try and get sufficient sleep. However, you will want to avoid sleeping too much because that will add to fatigue. Instead, aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Naps are fine but limit yourself to one short 20- to 30-minute nap a day.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) by itself can cause symptoms of excessive tiredness and hypersomnia.
What to do if you have anemia. If your red blood cell count is low, you should: Save your energy. Rest when you are tired.
With low iron, your body cannot manufacture enough hemoglobin in red blood cells to allow them to transport oxygen. It causes fatigue and shortness of breath. The connection between low iron, body weight, and hemoglobin is apparent when low energy makes exercising and burning calories difficult, causing weight gain.
You may also find that low iron causes weight gain. There are a couple of reasons for this; firstly, your energy levels are low and so your exercise levels reduce; secondly, iron is essential for thyroid function, and an underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain.
Severe iron deficiency anaemia may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs, such as an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failure, where your heart is unable to pump enough blood around your body at the right pressure.
Taking iron supplements or getting iron infusions will not instantly result in weight loss, and should not be used as a weight loss tool.
A large 2020 study in BMC Psychiatry found that people with iron deficiency anemia had a significantly higher incidence and risk of anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorder, and psychotic disorders.
Weight gain related to iron therapy is a common problem in female patients with iron deficiency anemia. Patients under iron therapy should be counseled in terms of weight gain complication and benefits of diet and followed up serum ferritin and Hgb levels to prevent prolonged iron therapy.
Undernutrition is linked with a higher risk of anemia, and lower dietary iron intake might be the possible reason.
Refrain from drinking tea or coffee with meals. Avoid eating foods rich in calcium with those rich in iron. Eat iron-rich foods alongside those rich in vitamin C. Cook with a cast-iron skillet.
Some foods can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. These include coffee, tea, milk, egg whites, fiber, and soy protein. Try to avoid these foods if you have iron deficiency anemia.
Tips for Managing Anemia
You have a role to play in your own anemia management, which includes: Exercise – Research shows that endurance exercise like walking, swimming, biking, or jogging, can help anyone to have stronger muscles, a healthier heart, and more energy—including people with kidney disease.
Tea, coffee and wine contain tannins that reduce iron absorption by binding to the iron and carrying it out of the body. Phytates and fibres found in wholegrains such as bran can reduce the absorption of iron and other minerals.
Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids. In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red. Rather than low iron, one common cause of blurry vision is dry eye.
Stage 3: Iron deficiency anemia.
In this final stage, hemoglobin concentration is affected and drops below the normal range, which is typically 12 to 15 grams per deciliter for women and 14 to 16.5 grams per deciliter for men. The normal range, however, will be slightly higher for athletes living at higher altitudes.
As tiredness or a lack of energy (fatigue) is commonly associated with a diet low in iron, it is likely to be the first change in your body that you notice when you take an iron supplement (2).