Most of the population in this world believes that vegetarians are among the anemic ones. So I would like to correct my friends that it’s not about being a vegetarian or non vegetarian but its about the diet one follows. A vegetarian person equally takes those nutrients like cheese, milk, spinach, soya but the only difference is that they don’t eat meat. It’s always better to take precautions when it becomes to illness, so as vegetarians have higher susceptibility for developing anemia then they should improve their diet and if required additional supplements.
Anemia- a much known blood condition especially among females. Anemia is basically decrease in number of red blood cells (RBC’s) or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein (metalloprotein) found inside RBC’s that contains iron and transports oxygen. Normally hemoglobin (found inside RBC’s) carries oxygen from the lungs to the capillaries but in the case of anemia hemoglobin lacks oxygen (hypoxia) in organs. Since all human cells are dependent on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have different clinical consequences. The most common symptom of anemia like fatigue occurs because the organs don’t receive enough oxygen to function.
Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. Approximately 3.5 million Americans are affected with it. Women and people with chronic diseases are at greater risk of anemia.
CAUSES OF ANEMIA: Broadly classified into three groups
- Anemia caused by blood loss: usually after a chronic (long term) bleeding. The patient gradually loses blood which means loss of RBC’s and hemoglobin. It can also occur with acute bleeding. Most common examples of chronic bleeding are:
– Stomach ulcers ( break or discontinuity in the skin)
– Hemorrhoids / piles
– Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
– Some medications like NSAID’s ( pain killers) taken over long period of time
– Childbirth
– Menorrhagia ( heavy periods in case of women) have a higher risk of developing anemia
– Surgery
– Trauma
– Blood donations
- Anemia caused by faulty or decreased RBC production: RBC’s lifespan is usually 120 days and then breaks down and is removed by spleen. Some conditions cause RBC’s to die too early. When this happens the bone marrow has to make more RBC’s than normal. If bone marrow fails in doing so caused by their early deaths, then the RBC count will start to fall leading RBC destruction (hemolysis). Following can cause hemolysis.
– Immune reactions
– Infections
– Some medications
– Poisons
- Anemia caused by destruction of RBC’s: In this type of anemia either body doesn’t produce enough RBC’s or they may not work properly. Examples are:
– Sickle cell anemia- An inherited disorder which makes the red cells crescent shaped.
– Iron deficiency anemia- lack of iron is generally due to poor diet, blood loss or inability to absorb sufficient iron from blood. This type of anemia is most common in females of all age group (teenage girls, pregnant women).
– Vitamin B12 deficiency- caused by poor diet. Seen mainly in old age women who don’t take sufficient vitamin B12, Vitamin C, folate, protein and red meat.
– Bone marrow problems: like leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis
– Some conditions like HIV,Crohn’s diseases and also malaria
SYMTOMS:
Some common ones:
– Fatigue (tiredness) a physical state
– Lethargy (feeling of laziness, apathy) a mental state
– Malaise
– Dyspnea- shortness of breath
– Poor concentration
– Palpitations- irregular heart breathing
– Sensitivity to cold temperatures
Some rare ones but can occur:
– Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
– Sense of taste is effected
– Headache
– Dry and flaky nails
– Ulcers in the corner of mouth
– Pallor ( very pale looking)
– Restless leg syndrome- more common among patients with iron deficiency anemia
DIAGNOSIS:
Your doctor will do the following:
– Take your medical history
– Perform physical examination
– Blood tests: These will not only confirm the diagnosis of anemia but also give the underlying cause to it. Blood tests would include:
- Full blood count (FBC)
- Blood iron level and serum ferritin level
- Vitamin B12 and Folic acid level
- Special blood tests to detect rare causes of anemia
TREATMENT:
- With iron deficiency anemia your doctor would recommend you to increase iron rich food in your diet and also start you on iron supplements which contains the ferrous form of iron which is easily absorbed by your body. While taking iron be cautious at certain times like:
– Always consult your doctor before starting iron supplements. Because Iron overload can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headache fatigue, irritability and joint problems
– Iron poisoning is the commonest poisoning seen in children so always to be kept away from children
– Taking iron supplements along with food will prevent side effects like constipation, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain.
– Remember iron tablets change your stool color blackish brown.
- Treat the underlying cause
- With Vitamin B12 deficiency you should take enough supplements which contain Vitamin B12 like meat, liver, kidney, fish, milk, cheese, eggs. And if the deficiency is very much severe than vitamin b12 injections would help.
HOW TO PREVENT BEING ANEMIC???
– If you are a vegetarian meet your doctor for a proper diet and also additional supplements to be considered
– Ask your doctor if you should take vitamin C. Vitamin C makes your stomach more acidic and increases the absorption of iron
– Decrease consumption of caffeinated products as these decrease the absorption of iron
– Select iron fortified cereals and breads
Healthy lifestyle 