ANEMIA
One common problem that may affect you in your later years is anemia, which means that the amount of red blood cells in the body is reduced and therefore the ability to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide is impaired. Oxygen is essential for normal activities: when the blood carries less of it, the body loses energy and becomes easily tired.
For your red blood cells to develop and function normally, you need iron and certain vitamins, including vitamin BI2 and folic acid. A lack of adequate amounts of these elements can cause anemia.
It is often assumed that being anemic is a natural consequence of aging, that some degree of fatigue and lack of pep is normal. This attitude may be shared by members of your family and even by some members of the medical profession. But unless you have a specific illness causing anemia, your blood count should not be much less than that of a younger person. If it is lower, the cause should be treated if possible. Anemia should never be accepted as a consequence of aging alone
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