A Simple Guide to Anaemia
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What is Anaemia?
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Anaemia is a blood condition in which the haemoglobin is lower than the average value of a normal person. The Haemoglobin is the red chemical in red blood cell which carries oxygen around our bodies.
What Causes Anaemia?
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The commonest causes of anaemia is:
1. blood loss such as excessive menstrual flow or
internal bleeding from the stomach or bowel
2. deficiency in the diet for foods rich in iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid.
3.inherited abnormalities (Thalassaemia)
4. kidney failure ,liver disease
5. cancer patients
5.certain drugs such as anti cancer drugs and toxic substances such as lead
6. infections (haemorhagic dengue fever) & worm infestation
7.radiation therapy,
8.surgery on the gastro-intestinal tract, particularly the stomach.
What are Symptoms of Anaemia?
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Easy fatigue :
This is due to lack of oxygen in the red blood cells
Pale skin :
The lack of haemoglobin cause the redness of the blood cells to be reduced hence the pale appearance of the skin.The finger nails and lower eyelids can be checked for the paleness.
Dizziness:
Giddiness occurs when there is insufficient oxygen supply to the nerve cells in the brain.
Unusually rapid heart beat:
Rapid heart beat may occur becuse the heart has to pump faster to supply enough oxygen to the body
Difficulty concentrating and headache:
These are caused by insufficient oxygen to the brain.
Leg cramps
Leg cramps are due to insufficient oxygen to the muscles.
Shortness of breath:
Breathing difficulty may occur as a result of insufficient oxygen in the lungs
What is the Treatment of Anaemia?
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1.Treat the underlying cause of the anaemia.
2.Eat a well-balanced diet that includes good sources of
iron (liver, meat, peas, beans, whole grain),
vitamin B12 (foods of animal origin only, including meats, liver and kidney, milk, cheese, fish, shell fish and eggs)
folic acid( present in most vegetables).
Vitamin C can make the stomach more acidic and can improve the absorption of iron in your diet.
3.Reduce your consumption of caffeine products and tea as they can decrease the absorption of iron.
--------------------------------
What is Anaemia?
----------------------
Anaemia is a blood condition in which the haemoglobin is lower than the average value of a normal person. The Haemoglobin is the red chemical in red blood cell which carries oxygen around our bodies.
What Causes Anaemia?
----------------------------
The commonest causes of anaemia is:
1. blood loss such as excessive menstrual flow or
internal bleeding from the stomach or bowel
2. deficiency in the diet for foods rich in iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid.
3.inherited abnormalities (Thalassaemia)
4. kidney failure ,liver disease
5. cancer patients
5.certain drugs such as anti cancer drugs and toxic substances such as lead
6. infections (haemorhagic dengue fever) & worm infestation
7.radiation therapy,
8.surgery on the gastro-intestinal tract, particularly the stomach.
What are Symptoms of Anaemia?
----------------------------------------
Easy fatigue :
This is due to lack of oxygen in the red blood cells
Pale skin :
The lack of haemoglobin cause the redness of the blood cells to be reduced hence the pale appearance of the skin.The finger nails and lower eyelids can be checked for the paleness.
Dizziness:
Giddiness occurs when there is insufficient oxygen supply to the nerve cells in the brain.
Unusually rapid heart beat:
Rapid heart beat may occur becuse the heart has to pump faster to supply enough oxygen to the body
Difficulty concentrating and headache:
These are caused by insufficient oxygen to the brain.
Leg cramps
Leg cramps are due to insufficient oxygen to the muscles.
Shortness of breath:
Breathing difficulty may occur as a result of insufficient oxygen in the lungs
What is the Treatment of Anaemia?
------------------------------------------
1.Treat the underlying cause of the anaemia.
2.Eat a well-balanced diet that includes good sources of
iron (liver, meat, peas, beans, whole grain),
vitamin B12 (foods of animal origin only, including meats, liver and kidney, milk, cheese, fish, shell fish and eggs)
folic acid( present in most vegetables).
Vitamin C can make the stomach more acidic and can improve the absorption of iron in your diet.
3.Reduce your consumption of caffeine products and tea as they can decrease the absorption of iron.
