Anaemia is a condition caused by decreased or dysfunctional red blood cells. A significant problem in the country, anaemia affects nearly 57% of the female adult population and 67% of the children population in India. The primary reason behind this illness is the inadequate and non-nutritious diet that is available to many in the country. While anaemia can be treated using proper nutrition and other treatment methods, it remains a significant disease as it can cause weakness in the body and eventually affect the other organs. Different types of anaemia are caused in different ways. In this comprehensive blog, we will discuss some symptoms that manifest in people and the different types of anaemia and understand how this condition affects multitudes of people worldwide.
Symptoms of Anaemia:
Fatigue and Weakness: The feeling of general weakness and extreme tiredness, even after no strenuous physical activity, could be one of the anaemia symptoms. Lacking energy in this way is a typical sign of anaemia. Less or no iron affects your body’s ability to produce a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen. This causes weakness.
Pale or Yellowish Skin: Another one of the anaemia symptoms is the appearance of pale and yellowish skin. This may be more evident on light or fair skin than brown or black skin. Paleness usually occurs as a result of decreased blood supply.
Shortness of Breath: Having difficulty breathing properly is also one of the classic anaemia symptoms. People suffering from anaemia often feel like they aren’t able to breathe properly and adequately even without enough exertion.
Dizziness and Lightheadedness: Along with shortness of breath, dizziness is also experienced by those with anaemia. These symptoms, like weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath, all occur together, making a person extremely weak and tired.
Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat: The next anaemia symptoms are rapid and irregular heartbeat. This is also called arrhythmia. When a person suffers from anaemia, their heart has to work more to make up for the little oxygen available. This can lead to heart failure.
Headaches: Frequent pain in the head area is among the anaemia symptoms. This can occur along with tiredness and shortness of breath.
Cold Hands and Feet: Experiencing cold hands and feet indicates anaemia. This occurs due to a lack of proper blood circulation, which usually keeps the body warm.
Chest Pain: Since the heart has to exert more effort to function properly, it puts a lot of pressure on the organ. This can cause it to beat abnormally or irregularly and also cause a lot of pain. If anaemia is left untreated for too long, it can cause cardiovascular health conditions and may even lead to death.
Brittle Nails and Hair Loss: Certain cells stimulate the growth of hair and nails, and in anaemia, the body is iron-deficient and is not able to transport oxygen to the cells that help in hair and nail growth. As a result, hair becomes brittle and thin, and nails lose their strength, causing them to break.
Cognitive Issues: Problems in cognition are another one of the anaemia symptoms. In anaemia, enough blood isn’t supplied to the brain, this can gradually cause cognitive decline and dysfunction. It can also result in dementia. Cognitive disorders are also common in people suffering from anaemia.
Types of Anaemia:
There are different reasons why anaemia occurs. Some of the types of anaemia are:
Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Iron is an important element that is used for the production of haemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron. This is the most common one among the types of anaemia. All the symptoms mentioned above also occur in iron-deficient anaemia. In the beginning, this iron-deficiency anaemia is mildly recognizable. Symptoms usually appear gradually. People tend to push away the common symptoms, thinking they are just general fatigue. Iron supplements, as recommended by your physician, can help overcome iron-deficiency anaemia. Pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding or menstruating women, are more likely to suffer from iron-deficiency anaemia.
Vitamin Deficiency Anaemia: This one of the types of anaemia is also known as cobalamin deficiency. Vitamin deficiency anaemia occurs when the body is unable to make enough red blood cells due to the lack of vitamins like Vitamin B12 or folate. This vitamin deficiency type of anaemia happens as a result of a lack of consumption of nutritious food. It can also be caused by the body’s inability to absorb the nutrients optimally. This kind of anaemia also usually develops over months and years, and the symptoms are similar to that of iron deficiency anaemia. This condition causes pregnancy complications, can lead to nervous system disorders and also causes gastric cancer. Eating foods rich in Vitamin B12 or folate can help combat this condition aptly.
FAQs
- What is anaemia, and what causes it?
Anaemia is a condition caused by the lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin. This reduces the body’s ability to transport oxygen properly. Anaemia is caused by iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic diseases and even genetic disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
- What are the most common symptoms of anaemia?
The most common anaemia symptoms are fatigue or tiredness, weakness, pale skin, difficulty breathing, shallow breaths, dizziness, headaches, arrhythmia, thin hair and nails, and cognitive issues.
- How is anaemia diagnosed?
Anaemia is diagnosed through the CBC (complete blood count) blood test. This measures the levels of red blood cells, haemoglobin and hematocrit. Other than this, blood smear tests, iron studies and even vitamin B12 level tests are also conducted to diagnose what causes anaemia.
- Can a diet help prevent or treat anaemia?
Yes, a diet can help prevent anaemia and even treat anaemia. However, for complete anaemia treatment, a combination of diet and medications is appropriate. To avoid anaemia and to also treat it, you should consume a diet rich in vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin C, like green leafy vegetables, lean meats, and beans, along with the necessary doctor’s recommended supplements.