What Is Anemia? Causes, Symptoms: In today’s time, due to changing lifestyle and unbalanced diet, many types of diseases are surrounding people. One of these diseases is anemia. Anemia means not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. When the body does not get enough oxygen, problems like weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath arise. This problem can gradually become serious if it is not treated in time.
There can be many types of anemia and the cause of each type is different. This problem can occur for some time and sometimes can persist for a lifetime. Its severity can range from mild to life-threatening. Sometimes anemia also indicates a serious disease. The good thing is that its treatment is possible in time and it can also be prevented with a balanced diet and lifestyle.
Symptoms of Anemia
The symptoms of anemia depend on the condition of the individual and the cause of anemia. Its symptoms are not felt in the initial stages, but as the deficiency of hemoglobin in the body increases, the symptoms start becoming clear. When oxygen is not supplied properly in the body, the first thing that is felt is fatigue and weakness. Problems like shortness of breath, face or skin turning pale, slight dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain can also occur.
If a serious disease is already present, its symptoms can hide anemia. Many times people come to know that they have anemia when they donate blood and are refused due to low hemoglobin. In such a situation, it is necessary to get it checked by a doctor.
Causes of Anemia
There are three main causes of anemia. Either the body is not producing enough red blood cells, or the body is losing cells due to bleeding, or the body itself is destroying these cells. Red blood cells in the body are formed in the bone marrow and for this the body needs nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, folate.
The most common type of anemia is caused by iron deficiency. When there is not enough iron in the body, hemoglobin is not formed and its effect is seen on the whole body. This problem is more common in women, especially during pregnancy or heavy menstruation. Prolonged bleeding or any disease in internal organs such as ulcers, cancer can also cause it.
Anemia caused by vitamin deficiency is also very common. If there is a lack of folate and vitamin B12 in the diet, the body is unable to make enough red blood cells. Some people have problems absorbing vitamin B12, which leads to a condition called pernicious anemia.
Apart from this, some chronic diseases such as cancer, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease or Crohn’s disease maintain inflammation in the body, which stops new red blood cells from forming. Aplastic anemia is a serious condition in which the bone marrow stops making new cells. This can happen due to any infection, medicines or exposure to toxic chemicals.
In some cases, the body destroys red blood cells so fast that new cells do not get time to form. This is called hemolytic anemia. On the other hand, sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease in which red blood cells turn into a crescent shape and are destroyed quickly.
Who is at greater risk?
There are some conditions in which a person is at a higher risk of getting anemia. If a person eats food that is deficient in iron, folate or vitamin B12, then the chances of anemia increases. Problems in the absorption of nutrients from the intestines, such as in Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, can also cause anemia.
Excessive bleeding during menstruation in women or not taking enough iron and folic acid during pregnancy increases the risk of anemia. Cancer, kidney failure or any long-term illness reduces the number of blood cells in the body. Having a family member with a genetic disease of anemia is also a major cause. Drinking too much alcohol, being exposed to toxic chemicals and excessive consumption of certain medicines also increase the risk. The risk of anemia also increases with age.
Problems caused by anemia
If anemia is not treated on time, it can lead to serious complications. Excessive fatigue and weakness make it difficult to do everyday tasks. If anemia occurs due to folate deficiency during pregnancy, it can lead to premature birth or other complications. When there is a lack of oxygen in the body, the heart has to work harder, which can cause irregular heartbeat and increase the burden on the heart. Some types of anemia such as sickle cell anemia can also prove to be fatal. If a lot of blood is suddenly lost from the body, then that situation becomes life-threatening.
How to prevent anemia
Not every type of anemia can be prevented, but it is possible to prevent some types of anemia. For this, the most important thing is to take a balanced diet in which iron, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin C are abundant. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek, mustard greens, pulses, kidney beans, chickpeas, pomegranate, jaggery and red meat are good sources of iron. For vitamin B12, consume eggs, milk, yogurt, meat and fortified cereals. For folate, green vegetables, legumes and cereal products are suitable. Adequate amount of vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron, so definitely take foods like orange, lemon, tomato, guava and broccoli.
If you feel that you are not getting enough nutrition from food, then consult a doctor and start taking multivitamins. Pregnant women are especially advised to take iron and folic acid supplements so that both mother and child remain healthy.
Conclusion
Anemia is a common but serious health problem that can be costly if ignored. If symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath appear in the body, contact a doctor immediately. With timely examination, balanced diet, and proper treatment, anemia can be controlled and life can be improved.
