Anemia – Tips for Prevention and Recommendations for Treatment
Anemia, or anemia, is a condition characterized by a lack of hemoglobin. We know that hemoglobin is the main protein of red blood cells. We also know that its basic role is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all tissues and organs in our body. In addition, the transfer of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs is also carried out by this protein of erythrocytes, i.e. red blood cells. So, the normal functioning of the body is based on the role of hemoglobin. For this reason, we will try to explain in more detail the term “anemia” and tips for its prevention, as well as recommendations for treatment.
Anemia symptoms
The most common symptoms of anemia are next. Fatigue, weakness, fainting, shortness of breath and rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, pale skin, leg cramps. However, sometimes the signs are mild and vague, so it is possible that anemia may not be recognized for a long time. That is why it is necessary to spot it in time and take appropriate preventive or therapeutic measures.
As for the causes of anemia, they can be divided into 3 basic groups:
1. Increased blood loss that occurs after major injuries or due to surgery, and then we talk about acute bleeding. But there is also the chronic one, which occurs with cancer of the esophagus or stomach. As well as with heavy menstrual bleeding or discharge.
2. Insufficient production of erythrocytes – occurs with iron or vitamin B12 deficiency, and is usually a side effect of kidney or bone marrow disease, due to the effects of drugs, toxins and viruses.
3. Increased destruction of erythrocytes – usually occurs in diseases of the spleen and autoimmune reactions of the body.
Causes of iron deficiency
Since in the text above, we connected anemia with iron through hemoglobin, let’s look at the causes of iron deficiency in the body.
First of all, categories of people with increased needs for iron have a higher risk of anemia. For example, these are children up to the age of three, pregnant women, athletes. Also elderly patients, people after gastric surgery, as well as alcoholics. In adults, anemia can occur due to irregular and improper nutrition. Also, this problem can occur in vegetarians, due to the lack of intake of vitamin B12, which is found in red meat.
Iron intake
In order to prevent the development of anemia, we are faced with a task that is not so difficult to fulfill. Namely, the first and basic thing is to introduce a sufficient amount of iron into our body. Daily intake is best provided from natural sources. Iron is very well absorbed from foods of animal origin. The diet should include red meat, eggs, fish, green and leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, nettles).
In addition, nuts and cereals are a rich source of iron. Otherwise, for optimal absorption of iron, it is necessary to consume foods rich in vitamin C, which promote this process (citrus, peppers, cabbage). But, at the same time, you should pay attention to foods that interfere with the absorption of iron. For example, you should avoid the simultaneous consumption of chocolate, coffee, black tea, carbohydrates.
If the replacement of iron with natural diet is not sufficient, treatment with iron supplements is necessary. Certainly, the choice of supplements, daily doses and duration of therapy should be left to the doctor. After a detailed anamnesis and determination of a complete blood count, the doctor is the one who will best make the diagnosis and determine the treatment.
Conclusion
Anemia should not be ignored, it should be detected and treated in time. If it is not treated, it leads to stress on the heart and other serious conditions. Because it is enough to remember the role of blood in our organism and to assume what any deviation means for our health.