Getting Help for Anemia

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Anemia is a condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells (RBC’s) and/or amount of hemoglobin found in the red blood cells drops below normal. Red blood cells and specifically the hemoglobin contained within them are necessary for the transport and delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Decreased oxygen to the rest of the body can have serious effects on organs and the brain. Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. It affects about 3.5 million Americans. There are more than 400 types of anemia, and women of child-bearing age are among the largest group effected by the condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Anemia can be mild or severe, and can be either a temporary condition or a chronic one, depending on the cause. The most common symptoms are:
• general sense of weakness or fatigue
• Lack of energy
• Headache
• Feeling of coldness or numbness in hands or feet
• Shortness of breath
As many symptoms are similar to other conditions, a blood test is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of anemia.

Laboratory Tests

Because symptoms may be mild or masked by other conditions, anemia is often first discovered during a complete physical which includes a Complete Blood Count (CBC). This routine test counts the number and proportion of the cells in your blood. If the CBC indicates anemia, your physician may want to follow up with a blood smear or differential test which will provide more data as to the cause of the anemia.

Share Your Symptoms with your Doctor

Although anemia is a common illness, it is nevertheless a condition that left untreated, can have a serious effect on your overall health. It is often helpful prior to a visit with your doctor that you take a moment to write down any concerns you may have, including any which might indicate that you may want to be tested for anemia.

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Female Sexual Dysfunction: Don’t Suffer in Silence

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If you are experiencing persistent trouble with sexual arousal that is causing distress to you and/or your partner, you may be experiencing what is called Female Sexual Dysfunction, or FSD. This is a complex disease, with both psychological and physical components, and can be a major stressor within intimate relationships.

Female sexual dysfunction can develop at any age, but sexual problems often happen when hormones are fluctuating, such as after  having a baby or during menopause. Sexual concerns may also occur with major illness, such as cancer, cancer treatment, diabetes, history of smoking or cardiovascular disease. History of sexual assault or abuse, patient’s sexual orientation and societal and family beliefs can  produce problems as well.

Symptoms Vary

· Desire disorders: you may not be interested in having sex even if you have a history of successful sexual activity.  You may seldom desire sexual intimacy when it has formerly been a rewarding part of your life.

· Arousal disorders: when you don’t feel the sexual response you are accustomed to, or you start to respond but can’t keep it up to a point of orgasm.

· Orgasmic disorders: If you can’t achieve a satisfactory orgasm, have pain during orgasm, especially if this has not been a problem over time.

· Sex pain disorders: when you have pain   during or after sex, you may have a sex pain disorder, which may have a muscular source,  or may be related to vaginal dryness or atrophy.

· Any medical condition which may cause unrelated discomfort, such as arthritis or urinary incontinence may be a secondary factor in the  diagnosis.

For a more complete overview of causes of female sexual dysfunction and other health conditions, go to www.precisiontrials.com and view “Women’s Health Conditions.”

SJ Winninger, M.D.,FACOG

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