Feels Exhausted Too Soon? You Could Have Anaemia!

Anaemia is a condition that occurs when your blood does not carry enough healthy red blood cells or Haemoglobin. If for no clue you are feeling tired, then it could be stress, depression or, most likely if you’re a woman, then it could be anaemia. The most common and curable form of anaemia is due to iron deficiency. The medical condition is found in 50% of the women and about 80% pregnant women in India.

Symptoms

Tiredness, headache, dizziness, fatigue and lack of concentration, with pale skin, nails and gums are the visible symptoms though over looked by most women, unless it emerges in some blood report.

Test

Women generally take lightly when it comes to their health and surely many of you even after reading will neglect testing. So, there is a way you can have a check.

• Check if the lower part of your eyes has grown whitish or less red.
• Check if your nails have white streaks or spots.

If any of the symptoms is seen then do get your haemoglobin tested soon.

Causes

Anaemia affects more women than men, with pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls being at most risk. The RBC count below the recommended level of 13gm/dl should not be neglected.

Poor diet, loss of blood during menstruation, increased blood supply demands in pregnancy, more intake of Calcium, improper levels of Iron and Folic Acid could be the cause of it.

Types

There are also other forms of Anemia, where one of the reason could also be hereditary. All are very different in their causes and treatments. Iron-deficiency Anemia, the most common type, is very treatable with diet changes and Iron supplements.

Effects

Low haemoglobin lowers the blood’s capacity making you feeling sluggish and tired. In acute cases, it may even enlarge the heart, which can lead to heart failure.

It’s an unnoticeable cause of maternal deaths with the risk of premature delivery to even causing developmental damage to the infant.

Treatment

Usually physicians prescribe Iron, Vitamin B12 and Folate supplementation for anaemics.

If the deficiency is not acute, an Iron-rich diet is helpful in raising haemoglobin levels. Foods rich in Iron content will aid in overcoming the deficiency which is also easily absorbed by the body.

Source

It is recommended to alter your food habits to cure it, like include orange, gooseberry etc. which are high in vitamin C as vitamin helps in absorbing Iron.

Include Iron rich food sources like Leafy vegetables, Sprouts, Fortified cereals, Pomegranate, Beat-root, Legumes, dried Peas, Beans, dried Apricots and Raisins. From animal sources, red Meat, Chicken, Liver, Shrimp, Oysters and Eggs are best absorbed.

Don’t take supplements if not prescribed as it may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, irritability and joint problems. Those with acute deficiency need supplementation for up to one year. So if not yet, get your haemoglobin levels tested today!