This is a condition when there is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. This leads to decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin deficiency.
Hemoglobin, which is found in the red blood cells, normally carries oxygen from lungs to the tissues. Therefore, anemia leads to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in organs. Since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have a wide range of clinical consequences.
Anemia, as of now, is the most common disorder of the blood. There are several kinds of anemia, produced by a variety of underlying causes. Anemia can be classified based on the morphology of RBCs, underlying etiologic mechanisms, and discernible clinical spectra, deficiency of certain vitamins and others. The three main classes of anemia include excessive blood loss (acutely such as a hemorrhage or chronically through low-volume loss), excessive blood cell destruction (hemolysis) or deficient red blood cell production (ineffective hematopoiesis).
How do you know if you are anaemic?
The symptoms are usually minor and many people are mostly unaware that they are anemic in their lifetime. The signs and symptoms can be related to the anemia itself, or the underlying cause.
Non-specific symptoms
For mild anemia, there might be feeling of weakness, or fatigue, general malaise and sometimes poor concentration. Dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion.
In very severe anemia, the body may compensate for the lack of oxygen-carrying capability of the blood by increasing cardiac output. The patient may have symptoms related to this, such as palpitations, angina (if preexisting heart disease is present), intermittent claudication of the legs, and symptoms of heart failure.
Signs
For mild anemia,
- Pale, peeling flaky skin, unhealthy frizzy hair and dented fingernails (usally seen on the thumb nail but those signs may not be too reliable.
- Koilonychia (in iron deficiency)
- Jaundice(when anemia results from abnormal break down of red blood cells — in hemolytic anemia)
- Bone deformities (found in thalassemia major)
- Leg ulcers (seen in sickle-cell disease).
In severe anemia,
- Hyperdynamic circulation
- Tachycardia (a fast heart rate)
- Bounding pulse
- Fow murmurs
- Cardiac ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement)
- May be signs of heart failure
Pica, the consumption of non-food based items such as dirt, paper, wax, grass, ice, and hair, may be a symptom of iron deficiency, although it occurs often in those who have normal levels of hemoglobin.
Chronic anemia may result in behavioral disturbances in children as a direct result of impaired neurological development in infants, and reduced scholastic performance in children of school age.
Restless legs syndrome is more common in those with iron-deficiency anemia.
Less common symptoms
- Swelling of the legs or arms
- Chronic heartburn, vague bruises
- Vomiting
- Increased sweating
- Blood in stool
What diets are suitable for anaemic people?
There are many diets rich in iron that can be used to treat anemia. Adult males need 8 mg per day of iron, while menstruating women need 18 mg of iron per day.
Food to take include:
- Red Meat, Poultry and Fish
Iron from red meat, poultry and fish is absorbed two to three three times more efficiently than iron from plant foods, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Meat organs such as liver, kidney, giblets and hearts have the highest amounts of iron, but should be eaten in moderation because they have high amounts of cholesterol, which could cause heart disease. Examples of fish that are good sources of iron include shellfish, clams, mussels, oysters, sardines and anchovies. Patients allergic to seafood should obtain iron from poultry or red meats. Drinking tea, coffee and milk while eating iron-rich animal products may decrease absorption of iron.
Fruits and vegetables contain iron but not as much as red meat, poultry and fish. The amount of iron absorbed from fruits and vegetables depend on other types of foods eaten at the same meal, according to CDC. Foods containing vitamin C enhance absorption of iron from vegetables. Eating iron-rich foods from animal meat at the same meal enhances iron absorption from fruits and vegetables. Examples of fruits and vegetables containing iron include green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, turnip greens and collard greens; peas, lima beans, kidney beans, black eyed beans, soy beans, pinto beans, dried figs, apricots, raisins, dried peaches, prunes and dates.
Whole grain products such as whole wheat breads, barley, bran, oatmeal, semolina, wheat germ, millet, rolls, iron-enriched white bread, pasta, rice and iron-fortified cereals are great sources of iron. Nuts also contain iron. Examples of nuts containing iron include cashew nuts, almonds, macadamia, peanuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds
Food to avoid/ limit:
For all types of anemia, limit consumption of saturated fats found in many animal products, including butter and all non-skim dairy products. Most animal meats contain saturated fat, but they are also a good source of iron, so eliminating them is not recommended for iron deficiency anemia. You can always cut off the excess fats before using the meat.
- Foods to Reduce and Eliminate
In addition to limiting saturated fats, eliminate consumption of trans and hydrogenated fats, which are found in many junk foods, fast foods and most fried foods. Sugar, alcohol, refined and processed foods are also discouraged, due to the fact that they deplete the nutrients needed to support the health of anemia sufferers.
Gluten intolerance is a common cause of anemia. You should seek the advice of a health care practitioner to find out if gluten is a problem for you. If so, eliminate all foods that contain gluten, including most pastas, breads and wheat products.
Fiber is essential to good health, but it prevents nutrient absorption when taken at the same time as certain nutrients. Fiber supplements and foods that are high in fiber, such as brown rice, should not be eaten at the same time as iron-rich foods, including beef, lentils and seafood, if you have iron deficiency anemia. If you have folic acid deficiency anemia, don’t eat fiber with folic acid-rich foods such as leafy greens, eggs, liver and lima beans. If you have B-12 deficiency anemia, don’t eat fiber with B-12-rich foods, including organ meats, beef, chicken and cheese.
- Iron Deficiency and Folic Acid Deficiency Diet
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, and certain substances directly deplete iron stores. If you suffer from iron deficiency anemia, try eliminating black tea, coffee and soft drinks. Beer, candy bars, dairy products, ice cream and soft drinks contain additives that may also interfere with iron absorption. Oxalic acid, a substance found in many plant foods, also interferes with the absorption of iron in the body. If you have iron deficiency anemia, you should eliminate foods that are extremely high in oxalic acid — almonds, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, kale, rhubarb, sorrel, spinach, Swiss chard and most nuts and beans. Finally, if you suffer from folic acid deficiency anemia, avoid over-cooking your food and eat vegetables raw or lightly steamed. Folic acid is easily destroyed during cooking.
References:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/367750-foods-to-avoid-with-anemia/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemia
http://www.livestrong.com/article/290966-natural-diets-for-anemia/
Gastritis is an inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach; the exact cause depends on the type of gastritis.
d the sternum (in the centre of the chest) which are often misdiagnosed as occurring for some other reason are some of the primary symptoms of gastritis.
Your Guide to a Healthier Life 