Most women in their early 40s often feel sluggish or fatigued, even during sedentary days. Some ladies think of it as a sign of aging, but if you experience persistent tiredness, weakness, and a drained feeling, then it’s likely that you may have anemia. This health condition is common in women all over the globe, and according to the World Health Organization, it affects 30.7 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years. People often dismiss anemia because its symptoms are highly common, and often normalized as “just being tired.” However, if left untreated, it can strain the heart, weaken the immune system, and cause maternal morbidity.
It’s important to treat anemia as early as possible to stay healthy and active. Since aging makes this health condition more difficult to manage, you’ll need to be proactive and address symptoms immediately rather than accept them as an inevitable part of getting older. To stay energized in your 40s and beyond, here’s how to treat and prevent anemia as you age.
Be on the Lookout for Symptoms
Anemia is caused by having low levels of healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues. Since your body doesn’t receive enough oxygen, this results in fatigue and a sickly pallor. Women in their early 40s are at risk of anemia since they’re at the stage in life when perimenopause happens. As hormone levels fluctuate, many women experience heavier, longer periods which can deplete the body’s iron reserves over time, leading to anemia. What’s more, falling estrogen levels can boost hepcidin, a protein that prevents your body from effectively absorbing and releasing iron, which is a vital mineral that the body needs to produce hemoglobin.
To know for sure if you have anemia, you’ll need to see your doctor and talk about your symptoms for proper diagnosis. You’ll be recommended to have bloodwork done, specifically a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test to measure your hemoglobin and red blood cell levels. You should also be on the lookout for other indications of anemia, such as palpitations and occasional chest pain. You may also experience headaches, lightheadedness, and difficulty focusing on tasks.
On top of all these, it’s likely that you have chronically cold hands and feet, paler than usual skin and gums, brittle nails, and severe hair loss. Anemia can cause you to shed between 100 to 300 hairs per day, which is significantly higher than the normal 50 to 100 hairs. If you notice thinning across your entire scalp or a scalloped or receding hairline, consider getting a female hair loss treatment from a professional to restore your locks and grow thicker and stronger hair.
Get to the Root Cause of the Condition
Anemia can be the result of a variety of underlying health issues, so get to the root cause of the condition to know the best way to treat it. For instance, if iron deficiency is causing your anemia, you may be advised to take iron supplements for several months. Maximize the supplement’s performance by taking Vitamin C with it, which helps the body to absorb iron better. Going on a strict or spartan diet may also cause anemia, so your doctor may advise you to consume more iron-rich foods from now on. In severe cases such as aplastic anemia, thalessemia, or sickle cell disease, a blood transfusion may be needed to quickly restore your red blood cell count.
Managing and Treating Anemia at Home
Some of the most effective approaches to treat anemia can be done at home, and it starts by making dietary adjustments. Add iron-rich foods into your diet, like red meats, poultry, fish, lentils, beans, and dark green leafy vegetables to naturally boost your iron stores. Next, take your supplements everyday, and if your body’s not absorbing the nutrients, then Vitamin B12 injections may be needed to enhance absorption.
Lastly, make some time to rest and get enough sleep. Severe anemia can trigger sleeplessness or insomnia, and disturbed sleep can affect your body’s ability to maintain healthy hemoglobin concentrations. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, and take breaks throughout the day since stress can increase your risks of getting anemia.
Next time you’re feeling drained or fatigued, don’t just chalk it up to getting older. See your doctor to confirm if you have anemia, and take active steps to treat or manage your condition to maintain mobility, preserve cognitive function, and enjoy life in your 40s and beyond.
