Many people in today’s society fail to get enough iron in their diets. It leads to anemia. There are many factors which can cause anemia. It may be due to a vegetarian diet lacking in the right combination of foods, including plant-based proteins, or living a life so busy that meal times are hurried and feature too many processed foods devoid of nutrition.
When looking at anemia in the ayurvedic perspective, it is more important to look at how the anemia is expressing itself through the individual. It is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough cells or haemoglobin. It can also be defined as a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
The three main types of anaemia are due to blood loss, decreased red blood cell production and increased red blood cell breakdown.
It can also be classified based on the size of red blood cells and amount of haemoglobin in each cell. If the cells are small, it is called as microcytic anemia and if they are large, called as macrocytic anemia. If they are of normal size, they are called as normocytic anemia.
Causes Of Anemia:
Common causes of anemia include the following:
- Anemia from active bleeding: Loss of blood through heavy menstrual bleeding or wounds can cause anemia.
- Iron deficiency anemia: The bone marrow needs iron to make red blood cells.
- Anemia of chronic disease: Any long-term medical condition can lead to anemia.
Causes of blood loss includes trauma and gastrointestinal bleeding. Causes of decreased production include iron deficiency, a lack of vitamin B12, thalassemia and a number of neoplasms of the bone marrow.
Causes of increased breakdown include a number of genetic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, infections like malaria, and certain other autoimmune diseases. Inflammatory disease as well as iron deficiency may play an important role in the cause of anemia.
Blood loss can be short term or persist over time. Heavy menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive or urinary tract can cause blood loss. Surgery, trauma, or cancer also can cause blood loss.
Symptoms Of Anemia:
The main symptoms of anaemia are the following
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Chest pain
- Cold hands and feet
- Headache
At first, anaemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But symptoms worsen as anemia worsens.
Risk Factors Of Anemia:
These factors place a person at increased risk of anemia
- Intestinal disorder
- Pregnancy
- Menstruation
- A diet lacking in certain vitamins
- Chronic conditions
- People above the age 65 are at increased risk of anemia.
Diet And Lifestyle Advice:
People who are aware enough to maintain their diet well for proper intake of vitamins and minerals seem to catch anemia hardly. Talking to physician about useful dietary supplements for you is good idea. Fenugreek, spinach, papaya, brinjal, mango and apple are good sources of iron.
People who entering in old age should be very careful for taking proper amount of iron in their diet as there are chances that they will catch a kind anemia easily known as pernicious anemia. This condition can be dangerous due to memory loss, depression and irritation. Regular check up with the doctor is mandatory.
Avoid tobacco products and illegal drugs and drinking excess alcohol. Try to get plenty of rest. Exercise is beneficial. Overdoing exercise may place demands on your heart or other organs that would be harmful.
Be aware that non-prescribed drugs and natural remedies can play a role in the development or worsening of anemia. Aspirin can irritate the stomach and cause hidden bleeding that result in anemia.
Home Remedies Of Anemia:
Increase Vitamin C Intake:
Anemia tends to weaken your immune system and thus, you may be more prone to infections and inflammatory diseases. Adequate doses of vitamin C can help fortify you from within and at the same time it also helps in the absorption of iron. Dote on oranges or you can even have a glass of lemon water every day.
Eat Green Vegetables:
The high amounts of chlorophyll contained in green vegetables like spinach celery, mustard greens and broccoli is a good source of iron. Keep in mind that it’s best to have cooked spinach as raw the leaves contain oxalic acid with may prevent the absorption of iron in the body.
Healthy Drinks:
Fresh beetroot or pomegranate juice acts as great blood builders and also blood purifiers. Beetroots are rich in folic acid you can team them up with apples or carrot.
Pomegranates, on the other hand, are rich in iron and also other minerals like copper and potassium. Both these juices, if had regularly, can boost your energy levels by supporting healthy blood flow and make you feel more active.
These are the home made remedies which helps us to get rid of anemia.