About 1 billion individuals are thought to be affected by iron deficiency, the primary cause of anemia, which accounts for about 30% of the world’s population. But what is an iron deficit? Here, we explore the definition of anemia, its physiological effects, and preventative and therapeutic measures.
What Is Anemia?
Low red blood cell counts result in anemia, which lowers oxygen levels and produces symptoms including exhaustion, pale complexion, and shortness of breath.
Anemia comes in a variety of forms; some may be inherited from your parents, while others may be brought on by eating poorly. Typical instances consist of
Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Low iron levels are the cause of the most prevalent kind of anemia in the world. Iron is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anaemia
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia is a disorder where a deficiency in vitamin B12 hinders the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells. Since B12 can only be obtained in animal food, it is prevalent among vegans and vegetarians.
Hemolytic Anaemia
This type of anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made. Some reasons for hemolytic anemia include medication side effects, autoimmune diseases, and genetic illnesses such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia.
Symptoms of anemia might make you feel ill or interfere with your daily activities, but if you don’t get treatment, anemia can become a serious condition that puts you at risk for infection or heart or lung problems.
Causes Of Anaemia
Numerous causes can contribute to anemia, such as
- Iron deficiency: Iron is necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia can result from a diet low in iron or from an inability to absorb iron.
- Vitamin deficiency: The synthesis of red blood cells also depends on vitamins, including folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin C. Anemia may result from a lack of any of these vitamins.
- Excessive physical activity: Iron insufficiency is prevalent among endurance athletes, especially women. By accelerating the destruction of red blood cells, causing blood loss from tiny lesions that form during exercise, and starting pro-inflammatory pathways, high-intensity or endurance exercise can exacerbate anemia.
- Chronic illnesses: The body’s capacity to manufacture red blood cells can be impacted by several chronic illnesses, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and renal disease.
- Blood loss: Blood loss after heavy menstruation, surgery, childbirth, or trauma can also result in anemia.
- Blood donation: Donating blood might result in up to 240 mg of iron loss each session. Before and after your donation, you may maintain your health by eating foods high in iron, such as lean red meat or green leafy vegetables.
- Hereditary conditions: The synthesis of hemoglobin may be impacted by some hereditary conditions, including sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
- Pregnancy: Because pregnant women have a greater requirement for iron and other nutrients, they may develop anemia.
- Medication: Anemia can result from the effects of several medicines, including some antibiotics and chemotherapy treatments, on the synthesis of red blood cells.
Can Stress Cause Anemia?
Stress can significantly impact both our physical and emotional health, and it can indeed lead to the formation of anemia. For instance, research on animals has shown that psychological stress may contribute to a decrease in serum and bone marrow iron as well as in the generation of red blood cells, while maternal stress during pregnancy may contribute to iron deficiency anemia.
One theory about the relationship between stress and anemia is that stress influences our food intake, although further research is required. Malnutrition, a prevalent cause of iron deficiency anemia, can result from individuals overeating or not eating at all when under stress.
Symptoms Of Anaemia
Because anemia lowers the quantity of oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues, it can have an impact on the entire body. In addition to headaches, lightheadedness, and pale complexion, a deficiency of oxygen-rich blood can leave you feeling weak and exhausted.
Anemia clinic in Dubai mentioned that the symptoms might differ from person to person depending on the underlying cause and degree of anemia, but typical indicators include
- Weakness and exhaustion
- Breathlessness
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- A headache
- Light-colored skin
- Heart palpitations, or the awareness of your beating
- Cold feet and hands
- Unusual heartbeat
- The condition known as restless legs
- Insufficient sleep
- Hair that is weak and damaged
- Having trouble focusing or thinking clearly
- A sore tongue
- Visual problems
- Depression and anxiety
- Diminished appetite
Does Anemia Make You Cold?
Yes, due to poor circulation, anemia can produce freezing hands and feet. Because less blood reaches the extremities when you are anemic, less oxygen reaches the body’s tissues, which makes you feel chilly.
Testing For Anaemia
After discussing your family and medical history, a general practitioner will often do a complete blood count test to determine anemia.
With at-home blood testing, you may examine several indicators that can be used to determine your risk of anemia, including:
- Blood Test for Ferritin
- Vitamin Deficiency Blood Test Treatment and Prevention: Baseline Blood Test Nutricheck
Anemia Treatment And Prevention
Even though anemia may be rather dangerous, there are ways to help your blood levels return to normal.
Iron deficiency treatment Dubai may vary based on the underlying cause.
- Dietary changes: You may be more susceptible to deficiencies and anemia if your diet is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, such as iron, vitamin B12, or folate. To maintain your levels, it is crucial to incorporate foods high in iron and B12, such as lean red meat, shellfish, lentils, and dark leafy green vegetables, in your diet.
- Supplements: An iron, B12, or folate supplement may be recommended to assist in raising your levels within a normal range if anemia is brought on by a dietary shortage.
- Infusions and transfusions: Hematology treatment Dubai, like blood transfusions or iron infusions, could be required in some situations to raise the quantity of red blood cells in the bloodstream or adjust iron levels.
- Treating underlying conditions: If a medical condition causes the anemia, it may be possible to restore the red blood cell count.
- Lifestyle changes: In addition to maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, treating or preventing anemia may require addressing other lifestyle variables, such as limiting alcohol use, managing health issues, avoiding excessive activity, accounting for rest intervals, and stopping smoking.
How To Prevent Anaemia
- Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C: Iron absorption in the body is aided by vitamin C. Therefore, your body will be more likely to take iron from meals if you couple foods high in iron, including dark green leafy vegetables, with foods like oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, or lemon juice.
- Consider supplements: Because vitamin B12 is not produced by plants, vegetarians and vegans are more likely to suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. Given that the majority of vitamin B12 comes from animal sources, you might need to take supplements to lower your risk of insufficiency.
- Avoid tea and coffee at mealtimes: Avoid beverages that include tannins and phosphates during mealtimes, such as tea, coffee, beer, cider, and wine. This is because tannins can impede the absorption of iron, especially non-heme iron, a component of plant-based diets. After having a meal, you should ideally wait 30 to 60 minutes before drinking tea. To encourage iron absorption, if you are feeling thirsty during meals, think about sipping water or even a glass of orange juice.
- Avoid over-exercising: Because iron can be lost through perspiration, blood loss, and accelerated red blood cell breakdown, intense or strenuous training might raise the risk of exercise-induced anemia. To enable your body to recuperate and refuel, it is crucial to evaluate the frequency and intensity of your workouts and account for sufficient rest intervals.
- Increase iron intake during menstruation: According to some studies, up to 60% of women who have heavy periods are anemic, and up to 90% are iron deficient. Consequently, raising your iron intake during your period or thinking about taking an iron supplement every day may raise your hemoglobin levels and lower your risk of iron deficiency and anemia.
Anemia specialist Dubai is Dr. Barbara. If you have any signs of anemia or are worried about your test results, talk to your GP. To determine the reason for your symptoms, they may do additional tests after speaking with you about your symptoms, present health, and lifestyle.