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Seeing Red
November 30, 2009 |
Red. The color can sometimes signal anger.
For doctors, it’s a sign of good health, especially when it comes to your blood.
A lack of those red blood cells could signal a problem.
“We can become anemic through basically a loss of red blood cells, destruction of
the blood cells, or lack of production of those red blood cells,” warns Dr. Shannon
Greer, a Family Practice Physician on the medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.
Red blood cells are often lost during heavy periods and pregnancy. Dr. Greer says
this a normal occurrence. But sometimes, iron deficiencies result
from more serious
issues. “The biggest concern you have is cancer, usually colon cancer.” Women, children,
even vegetarians are a higher risk of iron deficiency. “Women who tend to bleed
a lot during their menstrual cycle, they can become anemic. Anybody with a family
history of colon cancer, you want to think of those things,” explains
Dr. Greer.
If you are feeling tired, dizzy, experience cold hands and feet, or see your skin turning a pale color, you will want to see your physician and get an accurate blood
count reading to check your red blood cells.
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