Your Health Q & A: I'm Turning Pale!

Anaemia is a condition in which a lack of enough vital red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues. There are many kinds of anaemia and many causes too! It could be temporary, long term and ranges from mild to the severe form.

What are the causes of anaemia?

• blood loss in cases like baby delivery, trauma , menstruation and internal organ bleeding.
• body incapable to produce new red blood cells such as bone marrow disease, vitamin deficiencies , the renal disease
• increased  red blood cells destruction such as thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia
• physiological in pregnancy

Is anaemia serious?

It is , perhaps the lack of sufficient oxygen due to lack of red blood cells contributes to sudden cardiac arrest, stroke , renal failures and many other. In the secondary event, one may faint due to low red blood cells leading to trauma or injury.

What are the ways to treat this illness?

• Iron supplements opted in mild cases to speed up red blood cells production
• Change in the diet in the cases of vitamin deficiencies
• The cause of blood loss identified and treat accordingly
• Transfusion in severe and persistent anaemia; if the level falls below 8ug/dL and certain conditions such as severe thalassemia

What are the symptoms of anaemia?

• easily fatigued
• palpitations
• difficulty to breath
• headache
• fainting episodes
• pale

What are the most common vitamin deficiencies leading to anaemia?

Iron, vitamin C and B12 identified as the most common types of vitamin contributing to anaemia and it is usually identified in blood test(full blood count) before proceeding to the specific blood test

How can I solve anaemia with simple diet modifications?

Try out with these simple foods from your kitchen:

• beef
• liver
• salmon 
• dried fruits
• pomegranates
• nuts
• fortified cereals
• lemon
• mostly all leafy vegetables

The lists may expand further, but never get confused or overwhelmed with many solutions but stick to the more practical and easily accessible.Do consult a dietician in the event of doubt.

How can I overcome fatigue due to anaemia?

Practice an active lifestyle like incorporate healthy foods in your diet, have a good sleep and performs exercise or yoga based on your convenience.

How long will it take to recover from anaemia?

Effective and regular iron supplementation helps to improve anaemia in 2-3 weeks provided you don't have any other organic causes which require other intervention such as in thalassemia, aplastic anaemia, bone marrow issues and many others.

What are the risks involved in blood transfusion in the event of severe anaemia?

Risk of cross-infection such as hepatitis B and HIV are possible but the blood products are screened meticulously before delivered to the patients. Apart from that cardiac overload or heart straining possible in view of large volume infused in blood form but blood transfusion will be done concurrently with urine excretion medicine to reduce the cardiac load.

From kitchen to cure:

• drink lemon with mint at least once a day
• soak fenugreek in a cup of water overnight and consume first thing in the morning
• include  garlic and ginger in diet
• drop some basil leaves in a cup of water and consume in the morning
• drink golden milk(mix turmeric in a cup of milk ) regularly

Know yourself to stay healthy and wealthy!