Are you not able to pull through your day without getting fatigued and feel like a sloth? Being tired always or getting tired easily with heart pacing and being pale could be symptoms and signs of Anemia.
What is Anemia??
Anemia is a medical condition wherein there is a reduced amount of total red blood cells (RBC?s) or a reduced amount of Hemoglobin in the blood or a lowered ability to carry enough oxygen.
People with anemia that has a gradual onset often feel tired easily and weary of work, weak and get breathless when they start to exercise. Sudden onset anemia (example: Accidents) is characterized by fainting and increased thirst. Other symptoms of chronic Anemia are being pale appearance, hair loss, sudden palpitations and recurrent headaches.
Classifying Anemias
Anemias are classified into three types:
- Due to blood loss (Hemolytic Anemia): Blood loss can occur as a chronic condition even without one?s knowledge. These can occur due to the following conditions
- Piles, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and cancer.
- Usage of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Menstruation and childbirth in women when the bleeding is excessive
- Due to the production of faulty or less Red Blood Cells (RBCs): This can occur due to lack of requisite minerals and vitamins leading to reduced formation of RBCs or faulty manufacture of the same. The conditions that occur are:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Sickle-celled anemia
- Bone marrow problems such as Thalassemia, aplastic anemia and so on
- Vitamin deficiency (Vitamin B12 deficiency leading to megaloblastic anemia)
- Other health conditions such as kidney disease, Diabetes and so on.
- Due to the destruction of RBCs:
- Inherited conditions such as sickle cell anemia
- Infections, venom of spider and snake
- Hemolytic Disease of Newborn (The immune system attacks the own cells in the fetus)
- Other conditions such as severe burns, clotting disorders and enlargement of the spleen.
Complications of Anemia
Anemia, if left untreated can lead to the following complications.
- Cardiovascular problems: Rapid or irregular heartbeat. Enlargement of the heart or heart failure
- Severe exhaustion leading to inability to do daily tasks
- Pregnancy complications such as premature birth
- Death: Inherited conditions can be life-threatening. Acute loss of blood can be dangerous leading to death.
Fixing your Anemia
Foods that are rich in nutrients can be taken to correct anemia. However, depending upon the cause one must receive treatment. For example, if anemia is due to an enlargement of spleen occurring as a result of malaria, then malaria has to be treated, only then anemia can be corrected.
- Foods rich in iron are Organ meat (all types of Liver), Spinach can help improve Iron deficiency anemia. If there is chronic bleeding then it must be stopped.
- Vitamin B12 is also essential for synthesizing Iron. Vitamin B12 rich foods are meats, eggs, fish and so on
- Blood transfusion for thalassemia and bone marrow transplant for conditions such as aplastic anemia.
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent for chronic kidney disease.
Treatment in Homoeopathy
Doliosis D80 Ferodol, a Homoeopathic product helps to regulate hemoglobin levels. It acts on anemia by relieving symptoms of loss of appetite, palpitation, difficult breathing and physical weakness. It can be used for all ages safely, without any side effects. Also, it can be taken easily along with other medication.