Are you always tired? Maybe it's anemia.

Do you also feel tired all the time, unable to do anything, and feel tired even after doing a little work? Do you sometimes feel dizzy or your eyes turn blue? “Why are you so pale?” Someone may have asked you. Even if you think these things are just normal, perhaps behind this is the blood deficiency that we have all heard of, or in medical terms, anemia . Don't worry, this is a very common condition. Let's talk about everything in simple terms today.

What is this big-sounding term for anemia?

Simply put, anemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells in your blood decreases. Imagine that there is a delivery service that carries oxygen throughout your body. The vehicles of that delivery service are called red blood cells . The box that contains the oxygen inside these vehicles is called hemoglobin .

If you have anemia, it means that the number of these oxygen-carrying vehicles (red blood cells) is low. What happens then? The tissues and organs in the body do not receive the required amount of oxygen. Just as a workplace cannot function properly if the necessary supplies do not arrive on time, when there is not enough oxygen, the organs in our body cannot do their work properly. That is why the symptoms we talked about earlier, such as fatigue, weakness , and dizziness , occur.

Some types of anemia can be passed down from generation to generation through genes. Women are also at risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia due to menstrual bleeding and increased blood demand during pregnancy. Older people are at higher risk of developing anemia due to kidney disease or other chronic illnesses.

What are the symptoms of anemia?

The symptoms of anemia are so subtle in the early stages that you may not even notice them. However, as the number of red blood cells continues to decrease, symptoms begin to appear.

Can anemia be life-threatening?

This is a problem that many people have. Death from anemia is very rare . It usually occurs in conjunction with another serious medical condition. For example, anemia is more likely to occur if you have a serious genetic condition like sickle cell anemia, if you have severe bleeding after a serious accident, or if you have cancer. Usually, anemia caused by dietary or vitamin deficiencies can be completely cured with proper treatment.

What are the main causes of anemia?

Although there are more than 400 types of anemia, they can be divided into three main categories.

1. Anemia caused by bleeding

If your body is slowly losing blood over a long period of time, you may develop anemia, which can lead to a decrease in red blood cells. This can happen without you even realizing it.

• Digestive system diseases like stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, and gastritis.
• Long-term use of painkillers (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.
• Heavy periods in women.
• After a serious accident or surgery.

2. Reduced or defective red blood cell production

This happens when your body is unable to make enough red blood cells, or there is a defect in the red blood cells it makes.

• Iron-deficiency anemia: This is the most common cause. Iron is essential for the body to make hemoglobin. When there is not enough iron, hemoglobin cannot be made, resulting in anemia. This condition is common in vegetarian diets, pregnancy, breastfeeding mothers, and rapidly growing children.
• Vitamin-deficiency anemia: Vitamin B12 and folate are two vitamins that are essential for making red blood cells. A deficiency of these two vitamins can lead to anemia.
• Thalassemia: This is a genetic disease. It is caused by a defect in the production of the hemoglobin molecule. This disease is also seen in Sri Lanka.
• Bone marrow problems: Red blood cells are produced by stem cells in the bone marrow. If this bone marrow is damaged (e.g., by cancer, radiation therapy, certain medications), red blood cell production can be impaired.

3. Destruction of red blood cells

In some cases, the red blood cells that are produced are very fragile. They break down easily and are destroyed as they travel through the body. This is called hemolytic anemia. This can be caused by the body's immune system attacking the red blood cells, an enlarged spleen, some infections, and genetic conditions.

How do you know exactly if you have anemia?

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, the best thing to do is to see a doctor . The doctor will ask about your symptoms and family medical history. Then, they will order a simple blood test to confirm whether you have anemia.

• Complete Blood Count (CBC/FBC): This is the most basic test. It gives a complete picture of your red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, and other types of cells in your blood.
• Blood Smear: This checks whether the shape and size of red blood cells are normal.

After these tests, your doctor will find out exactly what type of anemia you have and what the cause is.

How is anemia treated?

The treatment depends on what type of anemia you have and what the cause is.

• If it is due to iron deficiency: Your doctor will prescribe iron supplements and advise you to eat a diet rich in iron.
• If it is due to vitamin deficiency: Supplements containing vitamin B12 or folate will be given.
• If it is due to bleeding: The cause of the bleeding will be found (e.g. a stomach ulcer) and treated.
• For severe conditions like thalassemia: If necessary, blood transfusions or other specialized treatments may be required.

Is there a dietary solution to this?

Yes, definitely. An iron-rich diet is very important, especially for anemia caused by iron deficiency.

Anemia during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body's blood volume increases by about 20% - 30%. This means that more iron and vitamins are needed for the baby's growth and the mother's needs. Because of this, many pregnant mothers may develop some degree of anemia, especially in the second and third trimesters.

Although mild anemia is common, severe anemia can be dangerous for both mother and baby . Severe anemia can lead to risks such as preterm delivery and low birth weight. Therefore, it is very important to take the iron and folic acid tablets (prenatal vitamins) prescribed by your doctor during pregnancy.

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