Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cells count or the haemoglobin level drops down below than the normal level. It usually happens by either decreased red blood cells or destructed red blood cells. In this case, healthy red blood cells are not available to carry oxygen to the body parts. Anemia makes a person weak and tired.
The person suffering from anemia feels shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue and may have pale skin.The Anemic condition may be temporary or permanent and if it is left untreated might lead to serious illness. Generally it is caused due to the iron deficiency which reduces the count of the haemoglobin. But there are other factors like vitamin deficiency, other diseases which can cause anemia.
The mild form of anemia can be treated but the severe form if left untreated may lead to complications and even death. Certain points to remember about anemia are older adults are prone to the risk of developing anemia by their medical condition and poor diet.
Certain anemic forms are hereditary and there is a chance for infants being affected from their birth. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type and mild anemia usually develops during pregnancy and it subdues during postpartum.
Symptoms of severe anemia are as follows:
Iron in the blood helps the blood cells to carry enough oxygen and build up a stronger immune system, your immune system may not be working properly if you're suffering from anemia. Also, Without enough oxygen in the red blood cells, your heart will pump harder to supplement nutrients to the rest of the body which may strain the heart muscles.
This may lead to heart failure, irregular heartbeat, an enlarged heart, or a heart murmur.
If the iron deficiency of the body does not get cured on time, the anemia may develop complications like:
The three main causes of anemia are insufficient or faulty production of red blood cells, destruction of a high rate of red blood cells and abnormal bleeding. Megaloblastic anemia is one of the faulty red cell productions and this condition may be mild and easily treatable or stern and require immediate medical intervention.
We should follow some preventive measures in order to say bye to anemia.
Ways for iron deficiency anemia diagnosis:
Your body can balance its iron levels in the blood through medication and a healthy lifestyle. Your medical healthcare professional will prescribe you a combination of iron and vitamin supplement to boost up the level of iron in your blood and build your loosen immunity.
The root cause of anemia can genetic or developed by age through external factors like:
The treatment of anemia is quite effective and the patient might feel better after a couple of doses, but it is advised to take a full course until your test results conclude a perfect balance of iron in your blood. For effective treatment, one must avoid milk, caffeine, foods with high fiber, or antacids with iron supplements as they can absorb it.
Take a 2-3 hour gap between your iron-enriched meals and these products.
Note: Do not consume iron pills without consulting your doctor as it may create iron poisoning in the body due to overconsumption of iron supplements.
There are a certain set of instructions to be followed while taking iron supplements
Depending upon the severity of the case, anemia Iron deficiency could take approx. two to three weeks to cure completely.
The recovery period of the illness also depends on the root cause of anemia. Your prescription for taking iron supplements could extend for a long period of time to prevent any relapse.
The natural remedies for anemia :
During anemia, one may feel weak and crave for eating all kinds of food items, but some of them can be harmful as they can absorb the iron content, decreasing the iron level of the entire meal.
So here are some of the food items that can be avoided for an effective boost of iron in the body:
Yes, bananas are healthy to consume for an anemia patient, The fruit is enriched in vitamin C and B6 which regulates antioxidants and glucose level in the body.
Vitamin c is also known to strengthen the immunity system of an individual, by keeping your blood vessels healthy and produces collagen that holds muscles, bones, and other tissues together.
During anemia, the red blood cells become weak which makes an individual easily tired. Well, optimum consultation of bananas can help you regain energy and cure other problems like paleness and shortness of breath.
The fruit also has a long satiety level that makes an individual full for a longer period of time as compared to other fruits.
It is advisable to eat at least 1-2 bananas a day, but consumption of bananas during anemia treatment should be kept under your dietitian's observation.
Yes, consumption of caffeine on a daily basis can lower down the level of iron in your body. Elements like polyphenols and chlorogenic acid found in caffeine-rich products like coffee and tea are known to be major inhibitors of iron absorption. These components bind the iron during digestion making it difficult to digest.
It is advisable to cut off or lower the consumption of caffeine-enriched products if a person is suffering from anemia or taking iron supplements during the treatment.
If so, keep a gap of at least two to three hours between your iron intake and caffeine so that the iron can be fully digested without getting absorbed by polyphenols and chlorogenic acid.
The health benefits associated with any type of alcohol are debatable. It depends on the type of alcohol and its quantity an individual consumes.
In the case of red wine, a glass of light red wine three times a day combined with your meal can boost your blood circulation by expanding the blood vessels.
Although, the excess can also damage your liver and cause major heart disease, so before adding red wine to your routine, make sure to run it through your medical advisor for safety. As it can be damaging for those who have a history or already weaken heart muscles, liver, or kidney damage.