Symptoms, Causes, and How to Prevent Anemia


Anemia is a condition that describes the levels of hemoglobin (Hgb) or the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the blood is less than normal value. A person suffering from anemia when Hgb less than 13.5 in men and in women is less than 12.0, and hematocrit (HCT) in men less than 41 and in women less than 36.

To know a person suffering from anemia or not, need to be examined in the laboratory by means of blood sampling.

Anemia is characterized by symptoms of fever is to look for the underlying cause. In the long term, anemia can damage the immune system, affect the vital organs, and lead to dangerous diseases appear. In addition, anemia may be an early indication of cancer.

The following are the symptoms of anemia:
  • Hair loss.
  • Easy brittle nails.
  • Pale skin and eyes.
  • Mouth and throat dry.
  • The body is weak, easily tired, and easily hurt.
  • Shortness of breath, palpitations, and difficulty concentrating.
  • Squatting and then standing experience of the fireflies.
The causes of anemia are as follows:
  • Loss of red blood cells (hemorrhage), such as menstruation, defecation or blackish blood out.
  • Chronic diseases, such as liver disease, kidney disease, chronic infection, malignancy (cancer), and connective tissue disease.
  • Genetic (G6PD enzyme deficiency, hemoglobinopathies, thalassemia).
The most common cause of anemia is due to nutritional deficiencies. When sufficient nutrients are met every day, then it will not iron deficient except when pregnant and breastfeeding.

Anemia occurs when the level of hemoglobin in the blood is less than normal. This results in reduced levels of oxygen in the blood. Oxygen loss "vehicle" to circulate throughout the body.

But unfortunately, the symptoms of anemia is felt at an advanced stage, although iron deficiency has occurred since the early stages. For example, anemia causes increased heart performance to increase the number of circulating blood. If there is a long time, the heart will change shape in the form of enlargement of the heart muscle and can lead to heart failure.

To prevent anemia can be done by eating food sources of iron, either from animal or vegetable sources. Animal sources eg meat, liver, fish and poultry. While plant sources can be obtained from green vegetables.

In addition, anemia can also be prevented by taking iron supplements, exercise, adequate sleep, and reduce the consumption of foods that inhibit iron absorption such as coffee and tea.

After consuming the meat or green vegetables that contain a lot of iron, do not immediately drink coffee or tea because it will make the iron contained in these foods is not absorbed by the body. After 2 hours of eating these foods can only drink tea or coffee.

Because women experience menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and diet foods contain iron, the women tend to be at risk of developing anemia than men. It's important to know how to prevent anemia since early considering the risks and dangers of this iron deficiency.
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