<!--StartFragment -->Anaemia is a decrease in blood haemoglobin levels. The iron in the haemoglobin helps deliver oxygen to tissues, and iron deficiency impairs muscle function and limits work capacity. Anaemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, vertigo, shortness of breath, and an increase in heart rate. Anaemia in IBD is usually caused by intestinal bleeding, impaired iron absorption, and/or low quantities of iron in the diet. Although treating anaemia may not help the bowel disease, it may significantly improve the quality of life.
If you suffer from mild anaemia, you should be able to participate in all kinds of sports. If you get tired quickly, it may be difficult to do highly aerobic sports such as football or basketball successfully, but it is still possible to participate. If these sports are too strenuous for you, try something with lower aerobic demands, such as bowling, golf, or horseback riding. Training at high altitudes stimulates red cell production and increases your oxygen-carrying capacity.
