Anemia in Seniors: Causes, Diet and Nutrition Guide

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?

Although many parts of the body help make red blood cells, most of the work is done in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells.

Healthy red blood cells last between 90 and 120 days. Parts of your body then remove old blood cells. A hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) made in your kidneys signals your bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. It gives red blood cells their color. People with anemia do not have enough hemoglobin.

The body needs certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to make enough red blood cells. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are three of the most important ones. The body may not have enough of these nutrients due to:

• Changes in the lining of the stomach or intestines that affect how well nutrients are absorbed (for example,

  celiac disease

  )

• A diet deficient in vitamins or minerals
• Surgery that removes part of the stomach or intestines

Possible causes of anemia include:

• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Folate deficiency
• Certain medicines
• Destruction of red blood cells earlier than normal (called hemolysis which may be caused by immune system problems)
• Long-term (chronic) diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cancer,

  ulcerative colitis

  , or

  rheumatoid arthritis

• Some forms of anemia, such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, which can be inherited
• Pregnancy
• Problems with the bone marrow such as lymphoma,

  leukemia

  , myelodysplasia,

  multiple myeloma

  , or aplastic anemia

• Slow blood loss (for example, from heavy menstrual periods or

  stomach ulcers

  )

• Sudden heavy blood loss

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?

You may have no symptoms if the anemia is mild or if the problem develops slowly. Symptoms that may occur first include:

• Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise

• Headaches

• Problems concentrating or thinking
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite

• Numbness and tingling

  of hands and feet

If your anemia gets worse, symptoms may include:

• Blue color to the whites of your eyes
• Brittle nails
• Desire to eat ice or other non-food things (

  pica

  syndrome)

• Lightheadedness when you stand up
• Pale skin color

• Shortness of breath

  with mild activity or even at rest

• Sore or inflamed tongue
• Mouth ulcers
• Abnormal or increased menstrual bleeding