What is Anemia

Anemia affects more women than men. Anemia symptoms in women are more pronounced during the time of their period when there is more blood loss, and also in the time of pregnancy. But then again, anemia can occur in anyone who consumes a diet poor in nutrition. Anemia is a condition where the body is unable to produce enough healthy red blood cells, as they run out of the oxygen-containing, complex protein called hemoglobin, which imparts our blood its red color. When a person has anemia, there is a marked decrease in Red Blood Cell (RBC) mass, or a condition which doctors would describe as a 'low blood count'. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are produced mainly in the bone's marrow, which is the inner part of the bone. Anemia, if left untreated for a long period, can eventuate more chronic health problems.

Usually, anemia causes are due to nutritional deficiencies- mainly iron, or vitamin deficiencies of vitamin B12, or folic acid (folacin or folate). Deficiencies of vitamins B2, B6, C, A, D, E, and K, zinc, copper, calcium, and protein can also be causes of anemia.

There are two ways to classify types of anemia:

• Etiology (pathophysiology): erythrocyte and hemoglobin depletion
• Morphology: alterations in the erythrocytes or red blood cells in regard to their size, shape and color

There are three main kinds of anemia due to these changes:

1. Macrocytic-normochromic anemia (pernicious and folate deficiency)

This type of anemia is also known as megaloblastic anemia and occurs when erythrocytes become abnormally shaped, but hemoglobin concentrations remain normal. Deficiencies of vitamin B12 or folate result into defective DNA synthesis and cause cells to die prematurely with reduced numbers of mature erthrocytes. There is an imbalance in the distribution of RNA and DNA. Nuclear functions and cell division are hampered. It affects the immune system and renders the body weak to fight against antigens due to decreased production of lymphocytes (white blood cells) which help with making antibodies. If you've had part of your stomach or small intestine removed, it can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12. Other anemia symptoms include:

• fatigue
• cheilosis (sores or painful cracks at the corners of mouth
• glossitis (red, swollen tongue)
• depression andirritability
• alcoholism
• memory loss and poor concentration

Eating very little or no meat can cause vitamin B12 deficiency and overcooking vegetables or not eating a lot of vegetables can cause folate deficiency. Foods to include in order to prevent or cure this type of anemia are, foods rich in vitamin B12 and B6:

• bananas
• green leafy vegetables
• fruit juices
• barley
• legumes
• chicken
• dates
• lamb
• salmon
• bran
• whole grains
• wheat germ
• beef
• tuna
• brown rice
• miso
• yogurt

2. Microcytic-hypochromic anemia (iron-deficiency, sideroblastic, thalassemia)

In this type of anemia abnormally small erythrocytes are produced and hemoglobin concentrations are decreased. Hypochromia can occur even if the cells are of normal size. Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia can cause this kind of anemia. Women who are pregnant or have their monthly period are also likely to suffer from this type of anemia. The metabolic demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete iron in the body. Disorders of iron metabolism, porphyrin and heme synthesis, or globin synthesis are also causes. In order to avoid or treat this anemia you need to eat foods high in iron content, vitamin C, and copper. Adequate levels of copper in the blood are vital to transport iron throughout the entire body and vitamin C aids greatly in the absorption of iron. Avoid tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks, whole grain cereals, too much milk and dairy products, and also antacids as this makes it hard for your body to absorb iron. Iron deficiency and this sort of anemia can have various symptoms, mainly due to lack of oxygen in the tissues and organs. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:

• tiredness
• lethargy
• dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
• palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
• headache
• sore tongue
• pica (a desire to eat non-food items, such as paper or clay)
• feeling itchy
• dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• altered sense of taste
• pale complexion
• dry, brittle, flaking nails
• hair loss

Iron supplements may have side-effects on your body such as nausea, sickness, abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, black stools. However, if you eat iron rich foods, it can prevent or treat this anemia. These are:

• dark leafy vegetables, such as watercress and kale spinach chard
• beans
• nuts
• meats
• turnip greens
• apricots
• prunes

3. Normocytic-normochromic anemia (aplastic, posthemorrhagic, hemolytic, chronic disease, sickle cell)

In this type of anemia, there is destruction or depletion of normal or mature red blood cells or erythrocytes. Their size and hemoglobin content is normal but they're just insufficient in number. If unchecked for a long time, hemolytic anemia can lead to cardiovascular collapse (heart failure due to blood pressure). They can worsen heart disease, lung disease, or cerebrovascular disease. The symptoms of hemolytic anemia include:

• chills
• dark urine
• enlarged spleen
• fatigue
• fever
• pale skin color
• rapid heartbeat
• shortness of breath
• jaundice

Foods that are good for treating this anemia are:

• beetroot
• carrot
• parsley
• kale
• cooked spinach
• dry fruits
• blackstrap molasses
• seeds of sunflower, sesame and pumpkin
• spirulina

Anemia can also occur, if there aren't enough hormones present in your body for making red blood cells. Some of the reasons can be-

• Advanced kidney diseases
• Hypothyroidism
• Chronic diseases such as cancer, infection, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis

In order to make sure your body doesn't suffer from anemia, which can lead to further health problems, it is best to eat healthy, get enough sleep and not get too low and down with anything. A lot of teenage girls who go on fad diets, tend to develop anemia as they don't get the right nutrition that their bodies require. There are many good diets to lose weight without torturing your body too much and being more gentle on yourself. Anemia in children can make them not able to focus on activities. Make sure your child doesn't drink too many soft drinks and keeps away as much as possible from coffee, black tea, sugar, processed foods and refined flour. Hopefully, now you understand what is anemia, what can be done to prevent or treat it and how to increase hemoglobin levels by way of eating the right foods.