Page 51 - Demo

G rowing up, I’ve had multiple female friends complain of fatigue, weakness and pale skin, all to find out that they’re anaemic. It just so happens that young females are at the most risk of becoming anaemic, while one- quarter of the world’s population lives with anaemia.1 Anaemia is a deficiency in the number of red blood cells in the body, says Accredited Practising Dietitian and spokeswoman for Dietitians Australia, Jane Freeman. “Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, so your heart has to work a lot harder,” she said. “\\\\\\\[Therefore\\\\\\\] it’s harder when you’re exercising, or running upstairs or whatnot, and that’s why people with anaemia will often feel quite fatigued or faint.” Anaemia is diagnosed via a blood test, says Ms Freeman. Addressing the demographic most at risk of anaemia, pharmacy assistant Tori McRae-Field of Direct Chemist Outlet, Torrensville, South Australia, identified children, pregnant women, women of reproductive age and the elderly. “These are the types of customers we’re speaking to daily,” she said. Ms Freeman points out that an anaemia blood test “often highlights other health issues going on, so it’s picked up, then more \\\\\\\[research\\\\\\\] is needed”. Why does it occur? A fairly common reason for anaemia is that “people aren’t eating enough high- iron foods, or perhaps B12 or folic acid”, Ms Freeman says. In recent times, she notes, low iron rates have increased due to vegan and vegetarian diets. “So, often people cut out foods like red meat and other foods that are quite high in iron,” she said. “They have to think about how they’re going to replace those foods in their diet, finding nutrition-equivalent food that will provide enough iron.” When asked if she has personally seen an increase in those with low iron, Ms Freeman said: “In my clinical experience, yes. We’re seeing more anaemia, particularly in younger teenage girls presenting, who are ANAEMIA 49 experimenting with these diets without really understanding them. “They’re just cutting out meat and eating sort of a cheese pizza instead of eating good quality lean meats, chicken, fish, etc.” Ms Freeman says other triggers for anaemia include low thyroid hormone levels or another hormone problem, blood loss, really heavy periods and pregnancy. “Sometimes it can be from malabsorption, like how coeliac disease is picked up,” she said. “Someone will go and say they feel quite fatigued when, in fact, they have coeliac disease or other various autoimmune conditions.” Sign of the low-iron times Ms McRae-Field says signs that present when someone is experiencing low iron include: • Dizziness • Fatigue • Lack of energy • Headaches • Irritability. TO PAGE 50 el in your element New therapeutic iron supplements for the prevention and treatment of medically diagnosed iron deficiency, iron deficiency anaemia and folic acid deficiency anaemia NEW Ferrous Sulfate Range Ferrous Fumarate Range AVAILABLE NOW VIA ALL MAJOR WHOLESALERS To order or find out more, contact your Arrotex OTC Sales Representative directly or call 1300 927 769 Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • APR 2021