Anemia and fatigue are likely to be accused as symptoms of a busy life nowadays. But in all the cases, these may be the sign of some illness which is anemia. Common in millions of individuals globally, anemia is one disease which can't be helped. It is quite common in females, pregnant women, and chronic disease. Learning about why anemia happens, what may cause it, its symptoms, and what the cure is can help you be the master of your own good health.

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a medical condition in which your blood does not have enough normal red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein inside the red blood cells and is the function of transporting oxygen into your body. Without that process, your organs and tissues do not get a lot of oxygen and are responsible for a whole lot of medical conditions. The condition is mild to severe and is perhaps after years or an acute one. Low hemoglobin levels is the most common feature of anemia and anemia is typically diagnosed on complete blood count (CBC) test.

Types of Anemia

There are numerous types of anemia and dissimilar causative factors for each:

Iron Deficiency Anemia

It is the most common cause and is due to the body not having enough iron. Hemoglobin cannot be formed without iron. It may be due to blood loss, malnourishment, or poor absorption of iron.

Vitamin Deficiency Anemia

Also referred to as anemia of vitamin deficiency, it's an illness resulting from a lack of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and folate. Your body is unable to manufacture properly sized and functioning red blood cells without them.

Pernicious Anemia

Pernicious anemia is a form of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia since your body cannot absorb B12 in its normal manner. It's normally caused by autoimmune damage of gastric mucosal cells.

Aplastic Anemia

This is a serious but uncommon type that happens when your bone marrow fails to make sufficient new blood cells. It results from infection, autoimmune disease, or toxin exposure.

Hemolytic Anemia

In this case, the red blood cells are lost more than they can be replaced. It encompasses inherited disease, autoimmune disease, and certain drugs.

Sickle Cell Anemia

Genetic illness in which red blood cells structurally abnormal and obstruct blood and lead to chronic pain.

Chronic Disease Anemia

Kidney disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis are illnesses which interfere with the process of the formation of red blood cells and lead to chronic anemia.

Causes of Anemia

Anemia is diverse in causes based on different types but most common anemia causes are:

  • Iron deficiency secondary to poor diet, bleeding (e.g., heavy periods or ulcers), or chronic illness.
  • Folate and B12 deficiency.
  • Chronic disease that disrupts the production of red cells.
  • Genetic disease like sickle cell anemia or thalassemia.
  • Pregnancy because higher number of blood thins the red blood cells.
  • Menstruation especially heavy menstruation.
  • Diet especially vegan or vegetarian diet lacking in iron.
Anemia in pregnancy and anemia in women are more prevalent as a consequence of fetal growth physiological requirement and menstruation physiological requirement, respectively.


Symptoms of Anemia

Some of the symptoms are as described below:

  • Weakness and lack of energy
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness and light-headedness
  • Cold fingers and toes
  • Pale or yellowish color
  • Palpitations or pain in the chest
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating
Chronic anemia symptoms develop over time and harder to diagnose.

Diagnosis of Anemia

Your physician can perform a series of exams in an effort to diagnose anemia in actual terms:

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

It is performed most frequently. It is a hemoglobin, hematocrit (RBC ratio), and red blood cell volume test.

Iron Studies

They are a test on your iron, ferritin (iron storage), and transferrin saturation.

Vitamin B12 and Folate Tests

Diagnosing tests of vitamin deficiency anemia through tests on a blood sample.

Bone Marrow Tests

They are reserved for rarely seen diseases like aplastic anemia, where marrow function needs to be tested.
Early diagnosis of anemia makes anemia treatment possible before disease development.

Treatment of Anemia

Anemia is treated depending on its cause but most commonly a combination of dietary change, supplements, and drugs. It is treated this way depending on type:

Iron Deficiency Anemia

  • Oral or intravenous iron supplementation
  • Dietary modification to consume more food rich in iron like red meat, green leafy vegetables, beans, and iron-fortified cereals
  • Vitamin C intramuscular or oral supplementation for improved iron absorption

Vitamin deficiency anemia

  • Intramuscular or oral Vitamin B12 or folic acid supplement
  • Supplemented vegetables and fruits, milk, eggs, and green leafy vegetables

Pernicious Anemia

  • Daily intramuscular vitamin B12 injection
  • Neurological complication monitoring

Aplastic Anemia

  • Blood transfusion
  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Immunosuppressive drug

Sickle Cell and Hemolytic Anemia

  • Pain management
  • Folic acid supplement
  • Transfusion of blood
  • Bone marrow transplantation in major anemia
Iron and folic acid supplements are routine in anemia of pregnancy. Chronic anemia is also treated by control of the etiological disease (e.g., kidney disease) as well as routine treatments.

Food for Anemia: What to Eat

Control of diet of anemia is very crucial in the prevention and control of anemia. This is what you must be consuming:

  • Sources of iron: Red meat, chicken, fish, lentils, tofu, spinach
  • Vitamin C food sources: Oranges, strawberries, bell peppers
  • Sources of Folate: Eggs, bananas, broccoli
  • Vitamin B12 food sources: Meat, milk, fortified cereals, avocados
Don't drink tea or coffee with meals because they will suppress iron absorption.

Conclusion

Anemia is not tiredness, it's a disease that can infiltrate every nook and corner of your health if you let it take its course. If you know the types of anemia, signs and symptoms, and seek early treatment and anemia diagnosis, you can manage or prevent this successfully. Pregnant ladies, ladies, and patients with chronic disease need to be very careful. If you have anemia, see your doctor for adequate anemia test and treatment of anemia. Restoring balance to your body with anemia diet food, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle change might be all it takes to reverse the trend.

Please book an appointment with the best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.