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The question 'can stress cause anemia' may come across as surprising. However, anxiety or stress and anemia have been connected in a way that's still being studied, but scientists have found a link.
Some scientists think that stress can lead to anemia, creating a chicken-and-egg situation with both conditions. Others, though, argue that anemia is a leading cause of emotional distress.
Both these scenarios have some basis in reality. Both possibilities, as well as the answer to 'can stress cause anemia' are discussed in detail below. We will also have a look at how to treat and manage both disorders.
What is Anemia?
When the body doesn't produce enough healthy red blood cells, a condition known as anemia can set in. Red blood cells are essential for delivering oxygen throughout the body.
Oxygen and glucose are the two fuels on which the body works. Lack of red blood cells can lead to an oxygen deficiency, which in turn can cause symptoms like weakness, dizziness, nausea, and rapid heartbeat, among others. The ability of organs to perform their functions decreases when they do not receive enough oxygen.
There are three main causes of anemia:
- Excessive loss of blood
- Decrease in RBC production
- Increase in number of RBCs broken down
Scientists, though, are now also examining the premise 'can stress cause anemia'. Causes of anemia in elderly females, though, generally come down to a lack of proper nutrition.
The symptoms of low iron can manifest as below:
- Quick breathing
- Rapid heart palpitations
- Weakness and tiredness
- Extreme fatigue
- Tingling in certain body parts in extreme situations
The aforementioned signs and symptoms are indicative of both anemia and anxiety. Besides anxiety, hyperventilation and panic attacks also have these symptoms.
All the conditions we've discussed above can be traced back to stress, which led scientists to wonder 'can stress cause anemia'.
Can Stress Cause Anemia? Exploring the Connection
There's some evidence to the question 'can stress cause anemia'. Stress can be of two types: chronic and acute.
The latter only has a short-term impact on the body, but the chronic type can cause serious physical and emotional problems. Certain physiological changes occur in the body when under stress, and they may be related to anemia. The precise interaction between the two conditions is still being investigated.
Multiple hypotheses attempt to describe the relationship between stress and anemia. Anxiety and iron-deficiency anemia may be related, according to one theory. Chronic stress for an extended period has been linked with anxiety.
One other theory suggests that the body uses more magnesium when it's under stress. If magnesium levels are low, it can lead to iron-deficiency anemia.
The most common way stress can cause anemia is by affecting your diet. Stress can cause people to react in different ways. It may cause you to overeat or undereat, leading to malnutrition. You may also eat more unhealthy foods rather than making healthy dietary choices.
Malnutrition is one of the most common causes of iron deficiency anemia. Chronic stress also inhibits the production of hydrochloric acid (gastric juice, stomach enzyme) in the body. A lowered amount of hydrochloric acid in the body affects digestion of food, affecting absorption of nutrients from food.
Anxiety is a common symptom of anemia. Before diagnosis and treatment, anemia can be a difficult condition to manage. The stress and anxiety brought on by dealing with its symptoms is real. Anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychosis have been found to be significantly more common in people with iron deficiency anemia.
In any case, there's no hard proof that anxiety can lead to anemia. Anxiety can cause nutritional deficiencies, though.
One of the most common reasons people suffer from anemia is a lack of proper nutrition, most notably iron. Vitamins and minerals like folate, magnesium, A, and B12 also play a role in anemia. Hence, the answer to the question 'can stress cause anemia' may be in the affirmative to an extent.
Diagnosis of Stress and Anemia
Now that you know about 'can stress cause anemia', you may be wondering about the next course of action i.e. how are the two conditions diagnosed.
Diagnosing stress is difficult in the absence of a single, universal test. If you're under too much pressure, the body will usually let you know. Anemia caused by a lack of iron can be detected with a routine blood test. You will get your iron and hemoglobin levels measured. A diagnosis of anemia can be made if your doctor notices a low iron level in your blood.
Coping with Stress and Anemia
Once diagnosed, you can follow the simple tips mentioned below to help manage the symptoms of anemia. These are also good ways to prevent anemia.
- Get enough sleep.
- Maintain a healthy diet, eating all the right nutrients like magnesium, iron, folate.
- Minimize your stress by resting. Meditate, socialize with family and friends, and do hobbies you love to relax.
To surmise, the exact answer to 'can stress cause anemia' is not known right now, as research is ongoing. However, it's evident that there's a link between the two conditions.
