Do you sometimes feel so tired that you can't do anything, and your body just feels lifeless? Do you feel like your eyes are rolling when you get up from a chair, or you feel like you're going to faint even when you walk a little? We usually ignore these as "just a little tired" in our daily lives. However, sometimes this can be a symptom of ' blood deficiency ' or what we medically call anemia . This condition is very common among us in Sri Lanka, especially among women and young children. So let's talk about this precisely and simply today.
What exactly is anemia?
Simply put, anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells in our blood. Think of it like a delivery service that carries oxygen throughout our body. The vehicle of this delivery service, that is, the main part that carries oxygen, is a protein called hemoglobin .
Anemia means that either the number of red blood cells is low, or the amount of hemoglobin in them is low. Then, our body's organs, brain, heart, and muscles don't get the oxygen they need. That's why symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and dizziness start to appear.
Anemia is not a disease in itself. It can often be a symptom of another underlying medical condition or nutritional deficiency.
Women are at higher risk of anemia due to menstrual bleeding , pregnancy, and postpartum bleeding. It is also more common in young children and adults with chronic diseases .
What are the symptoms of anemia?
In the early stages of anemia, there may be no symptoms. But as the condition progresses, various symptoms begin to appear. Let's see what they are.
| Common symptoms of anemia | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms that usually appear first | |
| Extreme fatigue and constant sleepiness | Weakness, weakness |
| Pale skin (especially the face, lips, palms) | Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when walking a short distance or climbing stairs |
| Dizziness and vertigo | Frequent headaches |
| Hands and feet are always cold. | Heart palpitations |
| Symptoms that may occur when the condition is severe | |
| Nails tend to break easily | Mouth ulcers |
| Tongue swelling or soreness | Craving for inedible things like ice cubes, dirt, and chalk (Pica syndrome) |
What are the main causes of anemia?
There are many causes of anemia. They can be divided into three main categories.
1. Due to blood loss from the body
This can be caused by a sudden large amount of bleeding or by bleeding gradually over a long period of time.
- Heavy periods in women: This is a major reason why many women experience anemia.
- Bleeding due to conditions such as ulcers and hemorrhoids in the digestive tract.
- Long-term use of painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
- After a major accident or surgery.
2. Decreased or defective red blood cell production
Our bone marrow is the factory that makes red blood cells. If the work of this factory is disrupted, anemia develops.
- Iron-deficiency anemia: This is the most common type of anemia seen in Sri Lanka. Iron is essential for making hemoglobin. This condition occurs when there is not enough iron in the food we eat.
- Vitamin-deficiency anemia: Vitamin B12 and folic acid are also essential for making red blood cells. This condition can occur especially in people who eat little meat, fish, or vegetables.
- Thalassemia: This is a genetic condition. In this condition, the hemoglobin molecule is not produced properly. This disease is also seen in Sri Lanka.
- Due to chronic diseases: People with long-term diseases such as kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis can also develop anemia.
3. Increased rate of red blood cell destruction
Sometimes, even though the bone marrow produces red blood cells, they are quickly destroyed in the body. This condition is called hemolytic anemia . This can be caused by certain infections, medications, and immune system problems.
How does a doctor diagnose and treat this?
If you have the symptoms mentioned above, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. He or she will examine you and, if necessary, order a simple blood test.
- Full Blood Count (FBC/CBC): This is the most important test. It can accurately check many things in your blood, such as the hemoglobin and red blood cell count.
- Other tests: Your doctor may also recommend other tests (e.g., blood picture/film) to determine the cause of your anemia.
Treatment depends on the cause of your anemia.
Never take iron tablets without consulting a doctor. Not all anemia is caused by iron deficiency. Taking iron tablets in a condition like thalassemia can be harmful to the body.
- For iron deficiency: Your doctor will prescribe iron tablets or syrup. It is important to take them at the prescribed time and in the prescribed dosage. He will also advise you to eat foods containing iron (see below).
- For vitamin deficiency: Vitamin B12 or folic acid tablets are given.
- For other reasons: If there is bleeding, treatment is done to stop it, if there is another medical condition, etc. In some serious cases, blood transfusions may also be necessary.
How to create a diet to prevent anemia?
It is very important to include iron-rich foods in our diet.
| Food type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Meaty foods (iron is best absorbed) | Red meat (beef), poultry, fish (especially mackerel), egg yolks |
| Dark green vegetables | Spinach, gotukola, mukunuwenna, kathurumurunga, tampala |
| Flakes and nuts | Lentils, chickpeas, peas, soy, peanuts |
| Dried fruits | Raisins, dates |
Another important thing: Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron from plant foods. Therefore, it is very good to add a little lemon to something like greens when eating them, and to eat a fruit like orange or tangerine after a meal. Also, do not take tea or coffee with meals. Because they reduce the absorption of iron.
Take-Home Message
- Don't ignore symptoms like constant fatigue, paleness, and fatigue as normal. They could be a sign of anemia.
- If you have symptoms, seek medical advice. A simple blood test (FBC) can confirm the condition.
- Don't take iron pills at will. Treatment should only be taken as directed by your doctor after the exact cause of anemia has been determined.
- Pregnant mothers, nursing mothers, young children, and women with anemia should be especially careful.
- Eating a balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins is the best way to prevent anemia.
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