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Can\u2019t focus on the task at hand or feeling sluggish beyond the afternoon slump<\/a>? One possible cause: iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).\u00a0<\/p>\n About 3 million Americans<\/a> have anemia, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention Disease and Prevention (CDC), and those are just the people who\u2019ve been diagnosed. Many others live with the condition for years without realizing it.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ve had low iron for years,\u201d Lisa Taylor, a 42-year-old business owner in McKinney, Texas, tells Fortune<\/em>. \u201cI remember in my early twenties I went to donate blood and almost passed out. I started to get a little sweaty and a little dizzy. I didn\u2019t say anything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Like Taylor, many people with IDA overlook or downplay their symptoms prior to receiving a proper diagnosis.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen someone has anemia, they don\u2019t have enough circulating red blood cells so their body can\u2019t operate at 100%,\u201d Maya Bloomberg, a nurse practitioner in the hematology division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, tells Fortune<\/em>. \u201cCommon symptoms include fatigue<\/a>, weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, palpitations, pale skin, dizziness, cold hands and feet.\u201d<\/p>\n When decreased oxygen is being delivered to the brain, it can also cause brain fog<\/a>. Bloomberg adds, \u201cThis symptom can lead to difficulty thinking, concentrating, processing information, problem solving, forgetfulness, and feeling mentally sluggish.\u201d<\/p>\n For many working people, productivity<\/a> is a top priority. If you\u2019re unable to complete your projects or meet certain deadlines due to struggles with IDA, it could impact your career.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The first step to combating these symptoms and addressing the disorder is to schedule a checkup with your doctor to find out what\u2019s causing the anemia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Describe your symptoms to your doctor<\/a> and don\u2019t minimize them.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf you even think that you\u2019re not feeling okay or something\u2019s a little bit off, don\u2019t brush it off as nothing,\u201d Taylor suggests. \u201cJust go get checked, get a blood panel run, and make sure your levels are okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Your doctor will run tests and look for red blood cell size and color, check the percentage of your blood volume made up with red blood cells, monitor your hemoglobin and ferritin levels.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n For Taylor, her checkup revealed her IDA diagnosis. \u201cMy hemoglobin was around 10.0 or 10.1\u201d Taylor says. \u201cSo, pretty low.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re diagnosed with IDA, it\u2019s important to know what\u2019s causing the disorder.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnemia can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, bleeding, certain medications, and some forms can be inherited,\u201d Nikka Kanani, a naturopathic doctor in Costa Mesa, California tells Fortune<\/em>. \u201cWomen who are menstruating, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions are often most at risk for anemia.\u201d<\/p>\n Unfortunately, some doctors don\u2019t dig deep enough for answers.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy biggest pet peeve is when individuals are found to have iron deficiency and instructed to take iron supplements,\u201d says Bloomberg. \u201cHowever, they are never evaluated for the actual cause of the anemia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n If your panel points to anemia, your doctor can order additional testing to identify the underlying cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n Taylor, who owns a laser engraving shop, attributes her anemia to her periods.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI have a pretty heavy and long menstrual cycle,\u201d she says. \u201cThat is likely the cause because they\u2019ve run every other test.\u201d<\/p>\n After figuring out the underlying cause, the next plan of action is treatment. For many, iron supplements are the answer. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter iron pills to replenish the iron stores in your body. However, these tablets are not a one-size-fits-all solution.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI tried taking oral iron, but my body didn\u2019t process it,\u201d says Taylor. \u201cI tried different forms of that and that just didn\u2019t work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Now, the mom of two, who had to focus extra hard to do her job successfully, gets Venofer iron infusions. Administered intravenously, it takes up to three weeks to feel the effects and last about six months.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI feel normal after having it and it definitely clears up the brain fog,\u201d Taylor says.<\/p>\n To keep brain fog at bay, lifestyle changes help too. \u201cLifestyle habits contribute to brain fog, especially high stress<\/a> levels, which can negatively impact all aspects of our lives,\u201d says Bloomberg. \u201cStress reduction techniques, such as meditation<\/a>, yoga<\/a>, and simply spending time in nature can help reduce stress levels.\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor knows this firsthand. In addition to her iron infusions, she stays active by using an at-home elliptical machine. She also incorporates iron-rich foods like red meat and lentils into her diet.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEating a diet rich in the nutrients required to produce red blood cells can help alleviate symptoms of anemia, which includes iron, vitamin B12<\/a> and folate,\u201d says Bloomberg. \u201cTaking vitamin C with iron-rich foods can increase iron absorption.\u201d<\/p>\n With the proper treatment, those with IDA will see an improvement in their everyday lives. Their energy levels can increase, as well as their productivity.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen my hemoglobin is up and my iron\u2019s good, there\u2019s basically no brain fog,\u201d says Taylor. \u201cI can think clearly and process things clearly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Taylor adds, \u201cYou just don\u2019t know how bad you feel until it\u2019s corrected. It\u2019s like a veil has been lifted. I am a different person.\u201d<\/p>\n\nWhat is anemia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Get a proper diagnosis <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Identify the underlying cause<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Find the right solutions\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Make lifestyle changes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Boost energy and increase productivity<\/strong><\/h2>\n