 |
Energy and Nutrition
Anaemia
Looking pale? Feeling weak and tired? There's a quick blood test available to assess whether anaemia is to blame - and if so, whether it's caused by iron-poor blood or something else.
What is it?
Anaemia is a condition in which there is a shortage of red cells in the body or a deficiency of haemoglobin (the pigment that carries oxygen) in these cells. When anaemia occurs, the body doesn't get enough oxygen, and weakness and fatigue result. Although symptoms may not appear - or may be very mild - for a long time, the condition can be life-threatening if it is left undiagnosed and untreated. If you suspect you are anaemic, it's essential for you to see your doctor promptly to ascertain the underlying cause of the problem. Treatment will vary, depending on the diagnosis.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Many people turn to supplements to combat the persistent tiredness and flu-like symptoms that characterise this poorly understood and disabling disorder. Although no one knows its cause, a weakened immune system may be a factor.
What it is?
Marked by profound and persistent exhaustion, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects more women than men, most below the age of 50. Sufferers feel weak and listless much of the time, and often have difficulty in sleeping, concentrating and performing daily tasks; many also have underlying depression. Doctors disagree about whether CFS is a specific condition or a group of unrelated symptoms not attributable to a single cause.
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose), your body's main energy source.
What is it?
Hypoglycaemia is commonly associated with diabetes. However, a wide variety of conditions, many of them rare, can cause low blood sugar in people without diabetes. Like fever, hypoglycaemia isn't a disease itself, it's an indicator of a health problem.
