Anaemia is a very common blood disorder.
The important function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen to various tissues and anemia can make a person feel low on energy, get easily tired and feel weak.
Symptoms
Fatigue is the most common symptom of anemia.
Other symptoms include pale skin, breathlessness, palpitations, headaches, lack of motivation and getting easily tired.
People with mild anemia may experience few or no symptoms.
Cause Of Anemia
Various health conditions can result in anemia.
The most common type of anemia is nutrition anemia, in which there is the deficiency of some important minerals like Iron, Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid.
It sometimes develops due to a diet lacking in nutrients.
The other causes of loss of blood can happen due to gastrointestinal conditions, such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, cancer, gastritis, piles, during surgery and trauma. In females blood loss can happen during menorrhagia, childbirth.
The other reasons are related to bone marrow conditions like thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and aplastic anemia.
The other chronic conditions which may lead to anemia are advanced kidney disease, advanced liver disease, cancer, hypothyroidism and arthritis.
Investigations To Be Done
There are various ways to diagnose anemia, the most common is complete blood count (CBC) where low hemoglobin can be detected very quickly.
To find out the exact cause of low levels of hemoglobin, some more investigations like Ferritin iron studies, Vitamin B12, Stool routine, Hb Electrophoresis and in some cases abdominal sonography and endoscopy are suggested.
Treatments
There are many treatment options available depending on the type of anemia
Nutrition Support
Dietary modifications help in restoring the iron levels in the blood. Consumption of milk, groundnut, dates, red meat, eggs, pulses, beans, beetroot, green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach all help in increasing the hemoglobin in the blood. Iron-fortified cereals, nuts and seeds, dry fruits including apricots, raisins and prunes.
Medicinal Support
Iron supplements in the form of tablets or syrups can also be taken. Side effects such as acidity, constipation or depression are experienced in some patients.
If there is no significant change in the levels of hemoglobin of the patients even after taking the iron tablets, injectables are advised where in a course of injections are advised through which a desirable level can be achieved.
Blood Transfusion
For some people where the hemoglobin level is too low, blood transfusion is advised. It is the most safe and widely used procedure in the world.
To Summarize
Nutritional anemia can be treated by making simple dietary changes alone.
Other types of anemia can be life threatening if left untreated. If a person feels weak and tired, they should see a doctor and get investigated.
We, at Lifeblyss, always urge people to look after their health and have nutritional, healthy food. If the person feels good about his health, there is always positivity around him. After all
