The ABCs of anemia: everything you need to know to prevent and treat it
In the general population, there are many questions about this disease, which is related to a red blood cell disorder.
Why is it important to talk about anemia?
Calculations made in 2018 by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that at least 1.62 billion people suffer from anemia around the world, in other words, almost a fourth of the world's population. The most prevalent group is children, comprising 47% of those diagnosed. Apart from children, women (non-pregnant) are the group with the most anemics, with almost 469 million individuals affected. Men, on the other hand, are the least affected group, making up only 12% of those diagnosed.
¿What is anemia?
Our blood is a mixture of plasma, red blood cells and white blood cells, which function is to transport oxygen and to fight against foreign objects in our body, respectively. This important mission is put at risk when hemoglobin (the protein contained in red blood cells) becomes insufficient. As a result, people begin to experience symptoms such as paleness, cold hands and feet, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, irregular heart beats, brittle nails, hair loss and strange cravings.
Once any of these symptoms is detected, the person is diagnosed with anemia after a blood test that analyzes hemoglobin levels is taken. Cases of anemia can be diagnosed only by a doctor after interpreting the results of the test mentioned above.
¿Why might I have anemia?
If you were already diagnosed or you suspect that you might be suffering from anemia, it is worth noting that there are several causes. The four main causes are: iron deficiency, vitamin and mineral deficiency in your diet, chronic inflammation, parasitic infections and hereditary disorders, among others.
For example, some people not only follow a diet that is poor in nutrients that are good for your blood, but they also suffer from medical conditions that make it difficult for their body to properly absorb those nutrients. When consulting with your doctor, it is important to talk about the diet that you follow day-to-day so that the professional can provide a more precise diagnosis.
In women, there are a few issues to consider. For example, if menstrual periods are too heavy, or if the woman was recently pregnant. Actually, some women may suffer from anemia after two continuous pregnancies.
Anemia and Chronic Kidney Disease
It has been observed that those who have suffered from chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD), are more likely to acquire some form of anemia as a result of these conditions, which sometimes weaken the immune system or are related to large losses of blood. Anemia is usually a CKD-induced complication, since the kidneys are in charge of producing a hormone known as erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production in the blood.
When a person suffers from kidney failure, the levels of this hormone in the blood are not adequate, leading to low red blood cell production. However, once anemia is diagnosed, treatment is efficient and patients usually start getting better within a few weeks.
¿How can one prevent and treat anemia?
Since preventing anemia is not so simple due to its multiple causes, its effects on the body can be counteracted by following a balanced diet and going to regular check-ups. In cases where anemia is caused by a genetic disease, there is no way to prevent it. The patient can only be treated under medical guidelines.
Some of the foods recommended for avoiding anemia are meats, fish, greens, lettuce, beans, lentils, nuts and other dry fruits.
Prognosis
In general, anemia is considered a disease with a good outcome, if it is diagnosed early on. It has a good outcome. Most people with anemia find treatments that they can adjust to their lifestyle. This is thanks to modern medicine, which gives people with anemia the tools to keep going in life and recover successfully.