Anaemia today could be referred to as the female disease. In India, women are more susceptible to anaemia due to malnourishment and early marriage. It is usually very prevalent amongst pregnant women, young children and adolescents.

Iron deficiency anaemia is common amongst Indian women and many suffer from this. It is a health issue, which often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Expectant mothers often suffer from this condition as the blood volume increases as much as 50 per cent, which causes dilution of RBC.

Reasons for becoming anaemic

• When the body stops making RBCs and there is increased probability of infection
• Lack of Vitamin B12 or folic acid; this is when the RBCs are not able to carry oxygen properly to the lungs and other parts of the body
• Inherited blood diseases (sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia)
• Certain disease can effect the formation of RBC (during kidney failure)
• When the body is not able to absorb B12 from the food.

Common symptoms

• Fatigue
• Feeling irritable
• Breathlessness
• Dizziness
• Pale skin, nails and palms of hands

Iron plays a major role in the formation of the red blood cells. Iron deficiency can be taken care by following an iron rich diet or taking supplements. Haeme is a chemical, which helps in the absorption of iron in the body and is present only in meat and fish, non-heme are plants and lentils.

Some iron rich foods containing heme iron
Clams, pork liver, oysters, chicken liver, beef and beef liver, shrimp, sardines and turkey.

Some iron rich food containing non-heme iron
Enriched breakfast cereal, cooked beans and lentils, pumpkin seeds, canned beans, baked potato with skin and canned asparagus.

The absorption of non-heme iron can be improved when a source of heme iron is consumed in the same meal. Few foods, which interfere with the absorption of iron and could be avoided, are tea, coffee, calcium, vitamin E, antacids, over the counter drugs and milk and milk products. Supplements and vitamins are advised to be taken with the consent of an expert especially in the case of pregnancy.

Source: FACC-Fight against Cervical Cancer

Pic: Wikipedia.org