Anemia

Anemia or Iron deficiency
Hemoglobin, a pigment found in red blood cells, carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues. When the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is below the normal range for the age and sex of individual, the person suffers from anemia. A deficiency in iron, an important component of hemoglobin is the most common cause of anemia.

Symptoms
* Pale lips and mouth lining, nail beds, skin creases, and inside the eyelids.
* Lethargy ( lack of vigor), tiredness, weakness.
* Shortness of breath when exercising.
* Dizziness, fainting spells ( because of loss of oxygen reaches the brain).
* Angina pectorisis ( pain in the chest caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the heart muscle).
* Palpitation (fast and extra ordinary strong heart beat).
* When due to vitamin B12 deficiency, appetite and weight loss, difficulty in walking, and mental confusion.
* Jaundice, in hemolytic anemia.

Common Causes
* Vitamin or mineral deficiency ( particular iron, vitamin b12, and folic acid). A pregnant woman need more iron to accommodate the iron needs of the fetus; if iron intake is not increased, the woman can become anemic, especially during the second half of pregnancy.
* Low production of hemoglobin as in thalassemia ( click thalassemia for info ) or decreased or absent production of red blood cell as in pure red cell anemia or aplastic anemia whice may be inherited as in hereditary spherocytosis , enzymopathies, thalasemia, hemoglobinopathies, or acquired as in Coombs' positive hemolysis.
* Excessive o abnormal blood loss( e.g. heavy menstrual flow, bleeding stomach ulcer).
* Certain medicines that destroy red blood cells or cause bleeding in stomach.
* Excessive destruction of red blood cellls (hemolytic) as in Coombs' positive hemolysis ; hereditary e.g. spherocytosis, enzymopathies, thalasemia and hemoglobinopathies.
* Certain treatment ( e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy).
* In children, moderate to severe intestinal parasitism or worm infestation ( e.g. hook worm infestation ).

What you can do
* Consult a doctor who will determine what is causing anemia and treat accordingly.

What the doctor can do to you
* Do a test to confirm the condition, find out how bad it is and identify the cause and treat it.
* If anemia is due to:
A. Iron deficiency - recommend iron supplements to correct it at the time, determine the cause of anemia.
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency - vitamin b12 injection can be given if the patient has pernicious anemia.
C. Intestinal parasitism or worm infestation - deworming medication.
D. Heavy blood loss - recommend blood transfusion for decompensating patients.
* For pregnant woman, prescribe a combination of iron and folic acid.

Prevention tips
* Eat balanced diet which include iron rich foods e.g. fruits, whole-grain bread, beans, lean meat, and green and leafy vegetables.
* have a good source of clean water.
* Exercise atleast twice a week.
* Good rest and have a stress free environment.