Nirogam Anemia kit

What is Anemia?

Anemic meaning “without blood”, is a serious disorder where the body is not able to produce healthy red blood cells for its functioning. This can directly impact the blood circulation system, creating a wide range of problems like poor skin health, slow metabolism, lack of cognitive alertness and even heart diseases. Anemia affects more than 10 million Indians every year, with most of the patients going undiagnosed for years. It is essential to identify the symptoms at the right time and curb them immediately.

Types of Anemia:

• Pernicious anemia: It is a condition created by deficiency of Vitamin B12 in the blood. Vitamin B12 is important for the formation of RBCs. When the body is not able to absorb this nutrient from food, it does not form adequate number of RBCs – in turn leading to anemia.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia: Found in less than 1% of anemia patients. Here, the bone marrow is not able to produce healthy red blood cells.
• Aplastic anemia: Much like Diamond-Blackfan anemia, it is created when the bone marrow is damaged and can no longer produce sufficient RBCs. The other name for this condition is bone marrow aplasia.
• Hemolytic anemia: Caused by the production of deformed RBCs or their sudden destruction due to toxins. It can be triggered by substance abuse, internal injuries or genetic inheritance.
• Sickle cell anemia: Another kind of genetic disorder. It is caused when the body produces crescent shaped RBCs. These cells can later block the blood vessels, thereby decreasing the efficiency of haemoglobin. 
• Fanconi anemia: One of the rarest types of anemia. It is passed on from parents to children. This condition is a result of abnormal bone marrow functions. It can show its signs early in the life of the patient.
• Mediterranean anemia: The other name for this disorder is Cooley’s anemia. It is a form of thalassemia where the body does not produce an adequate amount of haemoglobin. As a result, the rate of death of RBCs is doubled up.
• Megaloblastic anemia: Here, the red blood cells are smaller in radius or ill-shaped. They cannot carry enough oxygen or nutrients. This may be aggravated by lack of vitamin B and iron.
• Microcytic hypochromic anemia: In this disorder, the RBCs are far smaller in size than normal cells and they do not contain enough red pigment. This makes them inactive in the overall blood circulation process.
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A complicated disease where the RBCs are attacked and eliminated by the body’s own white blood cells. It can be an indicator of underlying immunity disorders.
• Iron or Vitamin Deficiency anemia: As the name suggests, it may develop as a result of prolonged lack of iron, essential vitamins and minerals. This condition can be easily reversed with proper nutrition and supplements.
• Anemia of chronic disease: Serious disorders of the kidneys, liver, bones and brain can lead to anemia in the long run. Cancer and its treatment drugs may produce a similar effect.

Signs & Symptoms of Anemia:

• Pernicious anemia: Usually, this form of anemia causes little or no symptoms. You may experience fatigue, pale skin or tingling in limbs.  
• Aplastic anemia: Red or purple rashes, shortness of breath, fever, dizziness, bleeding and rapid heartbeat are all signs of anemia.
• Hemolytic anemia: May produce pallor, intense headaches, palpitations, mental clouds and jaundice.
• Sickle cell anemia: Shows the most severe anemia symptoms. Can lead to recurrent infections, malaise, blood in urine, swelling in limbs, joint inflammation and yellow eyes.
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia: Rare disorder. Can produce diverse symptoms in patients, including heartbeat fluctuations, drowsiness and irritability.
• Fanconi anemia: Has serious consequences, like easy bruising, nose or gum bleeding, distorted bone shape and pale skin colour.
• Mediterranean anemia: Inconspicuous form of disorder. Can produce yellow skin or eyes, breathing issues and poor physical health.
• Megaloblastic anemia: Significant signs include, loss of appetite, alternate episodes of constipation or diarrhoea, inability to walk, numbness in joints and tender tongue.
• Microcytic hypochromic anemia: Like other forms of anemia, here too you may experience emotional disturbance, difficulty in breathing, vertigo and loss of skin texture.
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: Since it is caused by the death of RBCs, you may notice gradual discolouration of skin, dark coloured urine, poor stamina, fever and mild chest pain.
• Iron or Vitamin Deficiency anemia: There may be general low hemoglobin symptoms like lack of energy, blood pressure fluctuations and poor metabolism.
• Anemia of chronic disease: Though it is not developed by the same causes, its effects may be similar to iron deficiency symptoms.

Different Ways of Treatment for Anemia

• Oral supplements: Folic acid, iron and Vitamin C pills are prescribed to promote production of RBCs. They are most helpful in iron deficiency anemia treatment.
• IV fluids and painkillers: These may be offered in cases where the complications of anemia have aggravated drastically.
• Chemical medications: There are a number of drugs that are used in medicine for anemia curb its severe effects. While they may offer temporary relief, these medicines do not cure the problem.
• Blood transfusion: When all there is no improvement with all above forms of low hemoglobin treatment, the doctors may have to inject healthy RBCs in a patient’s body through the transfer of blood from a healthy adult.
• Natural remedies and therapy: These often-ignored techniques promise a complete cure of anemia from the roots. Specialized treatment of anemia with Ayurveda focuses on increasing the RBC count. It achieves this by stimulating the spleen cells to make healthy RBCs.

Diet for Anemia Patients

• Crispy Vegetables: There is a reason these greens are on the top of every anemia diet chart – and that is their high iron content. Additionally they also contain oxalates that increase absorption of nutrients from food.
• Fresh Fruits: If not all of them, pick the ones rich in Vitamin C. They are a meal in themselves and help to reduce the effects of anemia on your body organs.
• Unmissable Pulses: Make sure that you do not miss these proteinaceous mouthfuls every time you make your meals. They are extremely rich in vital minerals and a great substitute for animal proteins. Delve into kidney beans, chickpeas, soybeans, peas and black beans for a yummy but healthy meal!
• Animal Proteins: You might be wondering what constitutes a diet for low haemoglobin. Well, let us reveal the cards! Seafood, liver, meat and poultry – Nearly every kind of animal protein is beneficial for an anemic owing to its high nutritive content. They provide easily absorbable iron and minerals that can benefit your entire body.
• Gritty Nuts: If you were searching for which food increase hemoglobin your quest ends here! These small bits of food are exceptionally high in iron. Begin by adding pumpkin seeds, cashews, pistachios and sunflower seeds to your morning  breakfast. 
• Fortified Items: This special range of foods to eat for iron deficiency is a boon for all vegetarians!  You can find many kinds of items here including cereals, bread, pasta and juices that can supplement your iron needs without challenging your taste buds.

Side Effects of Anemia:

• Abnormal weight: Medical research has shown that there is a direct link between iron infusions and weight gain. Low number of RBCs can reduce the metabolic rate of the body. This may increase fat deposition in the tissues. Also, it interferes with the action of the thyroid gland, thereby leading to further complications.
• Gastrointestinal troubles: When your GI tract organs do not receive proper nourishment, they may go haywire. And that’s when you experience anemia nausea, bloating, cramping and jaundice-like symptoms. They may also hamper your bowel movements, making you feel uncomfortable  and unwell.
• Poor blood chemistry: In the absence of active RBCs and low hemoglobin level, your blood accumulates harmful toxins like cholesterol, triglycerides and chemicals. These foreign substances can disturb your circulation rate. This may mean fluctuating, high or low blood pressure, blood toxicity and clotting in blood vessels.
• Mental disturbance: This may be the last thing you suspect from your anemia, but it is worth noting! Low iron causes dizziness, vertigo, lack of focus, recurrent headaches and mental blocks. Last but not the least, it may cause severe hair breakage and thinning.