Some medical conditions and diseases are connected. One may precipitate another, as when coronary artery disease causes a heart attack. Sometimes one disease creates a situation in which another problem develops -- diabetes has a number of complications which develop over time, such as diabetic retinopathy or kidney disease.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia results when you don't have enough iron in your body. It results in anemia because iron is necessary for the body to produce hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body. It is usually caused from not ingesting enough iron or from blood loss. Any slow, chronic blood loss, such as heavy menstrual periods, colorectal cancer or gastrointestinal bleeding can cause anemia. Some intestinal disorders such as celiac disease, can affect the body's ability to absorb iron and result in deficiency. Finally, pregnancy can result in a deficiency because there is an increased need for hemoglobin to support both mother and child.
Hypertension
High blood pressure or hypertension means that your blood moves through the blood vessels with too much force. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems. According to Medline Plus, you are more likely to develop hypertension if you smoke, are African-American, are obese, eat too much salt, are often stressed or have a family history of hypertension. It is a fairly common problem in diabetes; two out of three diabetics also have high blood pressure, and being diabetic is one of the risk factors to develop hypertension.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease of glucose metabolism. In a healthy person, sugars and starches are broken down into glucose, which is used by the cells. Insulin is the primary mechanism the body uses to regulate blood glucose, and when insulin production is impaired, diabetes develops. The cells of the pancreas which normally produce insulin either produce less over a period of time or the body stops listening to the insulin signals -- called insulin resistance. This type of diabetes, called Type 2 diabetes, is the most common. The other type, Type 1, is the abrupt cessation of insulin production. Some of the risk factors for hypertension and diabetes are the same: obesity, having a family history, and African American ancestry. Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and the elderly are also at higher risk of diabetes.
Connections
While there is a connection between diabetes and hypertension, neither is related to nor caused by iron deficiency anemia. None of these are medical conditions that you should try to self manage; if you have questions or concerns, consult a health care professional.
Member Comments