What is ANEMIA? Symptoms, Causes

Anemia affects more than two billion people around the world, accounting for more than 30% of the global population. Anemia is more common in women, young children, and people with chronic illnesses. Important things to remember are:

o   Certain types of anemia are passed down through your genes, and infants may be born with it.

o   Women are more likely to develop iron deficiency anemia as a result of blood loss during their periods and higher blood supply demands during pregnancy.

o   Older adults are more likely to develop anemia as a result of kidney disease or other chronic medical conditions.

Causes of Anemia

Anemia occurs when your body's organs are deprived of oxygen due to a lack of healthy red blood cells. Hemoglobin is required to transport oxygen, and if you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or not enough hemoglobin, your blood's capacity to transport oxygen to the body's tissues will be reduced.

The most common causes of anemia are:

Nutritional deficiencies

o   Iron deficiency [The most common type of anemia is iron-deficiency anemia]

o   Deficiencies in folate, vitamins B12, and A

o   Hemoglobinopathies

Infectious diseases also contribute to being the common cause

o   Malaria

o   Tuberculosis

o   HIV

o   Parasitic infections

Signs and symptoms of Anemia

It is seen that an anemic person is prone to catching a cold, as well as feeling tired or weak, which is not uncommon. Other signs of an iron deficiency include brittle or spoon-shaped nails, as well as possible hair loss.

Anemia symptoms are often so subtle that they go unnoticed. Symptoms of anemia differ depending on the cause:

o   Dizziness, lightheadedness, or the feeling of passing out

o   Fast or irregular heartbeat

o   Headache

o   Pain within the bones, chest, belly, and joints

o   Growth problems in children and teenagers

o   Tiredness or weakness

o   Shortness of breath

o   Pale or yellow skin

o   Cold hands and feet

Management of Anemia

Anemia, if left untreated, can lead to a variety of health issues, including extreme fatigue, pregnancy complications, heart problems, and death. Some types of anemia are unavoidable, such as inherited anemia. However, eating a healthy diet can help prevent anemia caused by iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and vitamin B9 deficiency. This includes eating a diet rich in foods rich in iron and these vitamins, as well as vitamin C-rich foods to aid absorption. Make sure you're getting enough water. This has been shown in some studies to help maintain hemoglobin levels.

Anemia caused by iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency can be prevented by eating a diet rich in essential nutrients, such as:

o   Iron is found in a variety of foods, including beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit.

o   Folate is found in fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products like bread, cereal, pasta, and rice.

o   Vitamin B-12: Meat, dairy products, fortified cereals, and soy products are all high in vitamin B-12.

o   Vitamin C: Citrus fruits and juices, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons, and strawberries are all high in ascorbic acid. These aid in the absorption of iron.