Are you always tired? Are you pale? It could be anemia. Let's talk about this!

Do you also feel so tired, just exhausted, that you can't do your daily tasks? Do you get dizzy even when you walk a little? When you look in the mirror, do your face, lips, and hands look pale? These are not just random things. The reason behind this may be what many people call " blood deficiency " or what we medically call "anemia " . This is a very common condition. So there is nothing to worry about. Let's talk about this simply today, in a way that you can understand.

How do you know exactly if you have anemia?

If you have symptoms of anemia, the first thing to do is see your family doctor. He or she will ask you questions, examine you, and, if necessary, order some blood tests .

To help the doctor, you can provide the following information:

• Please describe in detail what symptoms you are experiencing and how long you have had them.
• Tell us if anyone in your family has this type of disease (e.g. thalassemia ).
• What is your eating pattern like? (especially if you are a vegetarian ).
• Tell us about any medications you are currently taking and if you drink alcohol .

Simply put, there are three main causes of anemia.

1. Due to bleeding: due to blood flowing out of or into the body.

2. Decreased red blood cell production: The body is unable to produce enough red blood cells.

3. Premature destruction of red blood cells: The breakdown of red blood cells before the normal time.

Blood tests can help determine the exact cause of this. They can also confirm whether you have anemia.

Very rarely, if these tests cannot find the cause, the doctor may decide to take a bone marrow sample and test it.

What are the treatments for anemia?

The most important thing here is that treatment does not begin until the exact cause of anemia is found. Because the treatment given for one type of anemia can be harmful and dangerous for another type. Therefore, the treatment is based on the cause.

1. Treatment of anemia caused by bleeding

If you have a sudden, large amount of blood loss (e.g., from an accident), you may be given saline, blood transfusions, oxygen, and iron in a hospital. However, if you have ongoing bleeding (e.g., a bowel ulcer, heavy menstrual bleeding), the first thing you need to do is find the source of the bleeding and stop it. Then, if necessary, treat the iron deficiency. You may also need to have a colonoscopy to look for these things.

2. Iron Deficiency Anemia

This is the most common type of anemia seen in our country. When the body lacks enough iron, it is unable to produce normal red blood cells.

If you are using iron supplements, you need to be very careful about these things.

• Keep away from children: Iron tablets are very dangerous if accidentally ingested by young children. They can even cause death within a few hours. Therefore , like all medicines, iron tablets should be kept locked away out of the reach of young children. If a child accidentally ingests them and shows symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or dizziness, immediately take them to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. If necessary, call the National Poisons Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
• Be aware of side effects: Iron supplements may cause nausea, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, and black stools. You can reduce these by taking the pills with food. If these problems persist, tell your doctor.
• Check for interactions with other medications: If you are taking calcium pills, it can interfere with iron absorption. So your doctor may advise you to take them at two different times, rather than taking them at the same time.
• Helps with better absorption: Iron is better absorbed by the body when taken with vitamin C. That's why your doctor may recommend taking your iron pill with a glass of orange juice.

In addition, it is also recommended to include iron-rich foods in your diet. Red meat, bitter gourd, beans, spinach, drumsticks, egg yolks, and seafood are good sources of iron.

3. Treatment for Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency

Treatment for this condition depends on the cause. Some people have a problem with their body absorbing vitamin B12. They may need to take vitamin B12 injections for the rest of their lives or take high-dose pills daily.

Folic acid tablets are prescribed for folate deficiency. They also recommend adding foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate (meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and fruits) to the diet.

4. Treatment of anemia due to other specific causes

• Bone marrow problems: Treatment for inherited diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease varies depending on the type and severity of the disease. Treatments such as frequent blood transfusions or bone marrow transplantation may be necessary.
• Other chronic diseases: For anemia caused by kidney disease or cancer chemotherapy, a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells, is given as an injection.
• Hemolytic Anemia: This is treated depending on the cause. It may require steroid medication, special treatments such as plasmapheresis, and, as a last resort, splenectomy.

How can you prevent anemia?

Many types of anemia, especially those caused by iron, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies, can be prevented by eating a well-balanced diet.

• Add foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate to your diet.
• If you are a vegetarian/vegan, talk to your doctor or nutritionist about your diet and take vitamin supplements if necessary.
• Reduce your intake of tea and coffee. Avoid drinking tea with meals, especially as these reduce the body's absorption of iron.
• Choose iron-fortified breads and cereals.
• Follow safety procedures when working with lead-based materials (e.g. batteries, paint).

Anemia, Iron deficiency, Vitamin B12, Red blood cells, Fatigue