Anemia is a condition that occurs due to decreased level of hemoglobin in RBC. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to the tissues. One common type of anemia is iron-deficiency anemia. This type of anemia occurs when the body is lacking iron which is crucial to making hemoglobin. When the iron in the blood decreases, your body can’t get the required amount of oxygen. Anemia is very common, many people don’t even know that they are anemic. People may not experience ant anemia symptoms for years. Anemia is more common in women due to the loss of iron during menstruation and pregnancy. The condition may get severe due to poor diet or any intestinal disease.
Types and Causes of Anemia
There are around more than 400 different types of anemia. These are majorly divided into three groups:
- Anemia due to blood loss
- Anemia due to destruction of RBCs
- Anemia due to decreased RBC production
Anemia caused due to Blood Loss
A person can lose RBCs due to bleeding. This usually happens very slowly for a long time and the person may not even notice. Common causes are:
- Taking lots of NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin can cause gastritis and ulcers.
- Gastrointestinal conditions like hemorrhoids, gastritis, ulcers, cancer, etc.
- Heavy menstruation in women
- Post-surgery
Anemia due to destruction of RBC
When RBCs become fragile they become unable to handle the stress of traveling through the whole body. Due to the stress, they burst and cause hemolytic anemia. Some people have this condition by birth whereas some develop it later. The causes behind hemolytic anemia are unclear but some conditions may lead to hemolytic anemia.
- Attack by the immune system
- Genetics
- Enlarged spleen
- Anything that can put a strain on the body like drugs, infections, etc
- Vascular grafts, tumors, severe hypertension, or any clotting disorders
Anemia due to decreased RBC production
Anemia can occur when the body is unable to produce required RBCs due to a lack of minerals and vitamins. Common types of anemia due to decreased RBC production are:
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Sickle cell anemia
- Bone marrow and stem cell issues
- Vitamin (B12 or folate) deficiency anemia
Risk factor for iron-deficiency anemia
- Poor diet
- Women of childbearing age
- Adults over the age of 65
- Pregnant women
- Frequent blood donation
- Prematurely born babies
- Vegetarian
- People exposed to lead
Symptoms of iron deficiency Anemia
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- General fatigue
- Dizziness
- Cold hands and feet
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Brittle nails
- Headaches
Diagnosing iron-deficiency anemia
Complete blood count (CBC) test
Doctors usually ask for CBC tests to measure the cellular or cell-related components in the blood. These components include RBCs, WBCs, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. This test provides information about the size of RBCs, hemoglobin level, and hematocrit level. When a person is anemic, his hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are low and the RBCs are smaller in size.
Other tests
Anemia is easily confirmed with a CBC test but the doctor may ask you for additional tests. These tests determine the severity of anemia. The additional tests provide data on blood iron level, ferritin level, RBC size and color, and TIBC.
Tests for internal bleeding
Anemia can also occur due to internal bleeding. To determine this, some additional tests may be required. The doctor will check the blood in your feces. EGD test or colonoscopy may be required to determine gastrointestinal bleeding.
Treatment for iron-deficiency anemia
Iron supplements
If you have anemia due to iron deficiency then you need to restore the iron level. Several types of iron supplements are available to maintain the iron level of the body. Your health care person may suggest you take the supplements empty stomach so the body can absorb them easily. But if the supplements upset your stomach you should take them with your meals. Some people may face common side effects of these supplements. If you are not getting any positive response then talk to your doctor.
Homeopathy
It is a type of natural medication that improves the iron level in the blood. In women, the low-iron level is very common. These natural medications maintain the iron level and prevent anemia symptoms. Talk to homeopathic doctors in New York and get a natural treatment for your anemia. These remedies not only maintain the iron level but also treat the causes of your anemia. Taking these remedies is fully safe as they don’t cause any harmful side effects.
Diet
- Add iron-rich food items to your diet. You can take:
- Red meat and eggs
- Raisins and other dried fruits
- Dark leafy vegetables
- Beans
- Seafood like clams, shrimp, etc
- Iron-fortified cereals etc.
Vitamin C is also very helpful to treat anemia. It helps the body to absorb iron more. Your doctor may suggest taking vitamin C along with iron-content food items. Orange juice is a rich source of vitamin C.