Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues. Having anemia may make you feel tired and weak.
There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe. See your doctor if you suspect you have anemia because it can be a warning sign of serious illness.
Treatments for anemia range from taking supplements to undergoing medical procedures. You may be able to prevent some types of anemia by eating a healthy, varied diet.
Causes
Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells. This can happen if:
· Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells
· Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced
· Your body destroys red blood cells
· What red blood cells do
· Your body makes three types of blood cells — white blood cells to fight infection, platelets to help your blood clot and red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
· Red blood cells contain hemoglobin — an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to your lungs so that it can be exhaled.
· Most blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced regularly in your bone marrow — a spongy material found within the cavities of many of your large bones. To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs iron, vitamin B-12, folate and other nutrients from the foods you eat.
Causes of anemia
Different types of anemia and their causes include:
· Iron deficiency anemia. This is the most common type of anemia worldwide. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by a shortage of iron in your body. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.
Without iron supplementation, this type of anemia occurs in many pregnant women. It is also caused by blood loss, such as from heavy menstrual bleeding, an ulcer, cancer and regular use of some over-the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin.
· Vitamin deficiency anemia. In addition to iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to produce enough healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production.
Additionally, some people may consume enough B-12, but their bodies aren't able to process the vitamin. This can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious anemia.
· Anemia of chronic disease. Certain diseases — such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn's disease and other chronic inflammatory diseases — can interfere with the production of red blood cells.
· Aplastic anemia. This rare, life-threatening anemia occurs when your body doesn't produce enough red blood cells. Causes of aplastic anemia include infections, certain medicines, autoimmune diseases and exposure to toxic chemicals.
· Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. A variety of diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can cause anemia by affecting blood production in your bone marrow. The effects of these types of cancer and cancer-like disorders vary from mild to life-threatening.
· Hemolytic anemias. This group of anemias develops when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. Certain blood diseases increase red blood cell destruction. You can inherit a hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it later in life.
· Sickle cell anemia. This inherited and sometimes serious condition is an inherited hemolytic anemia. It's caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal crescent (sickle) shape. These irregular blood cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage of red blood cells.
· Other anemias. There are several other forms of anemia, such as thalassemia and malarial anemia
Risk factors
These factors place you at increased risk of anemia:
· A diet lacking in certain vitamins. Having a diet that is consistently low in iron, vitamin B-12 and folate increases your risk of anemia.
· Intestinal disorders. Having an intestinal disorder that affects the absorption of nutrients in your small intestine — such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease — puts you at risk of anemia.
· Menstruation. In general, women who haven't experienced menopause have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than do men and postmenopausal women. That's because menstruation causes the loss of red blood cells.
· Pregnancy. If you're pregnant and aren't taking a multivitamin with folic acid, you're at an increased risk of anemia.
· Chronic conditions. If you have cancer, kidney failure or another chronic condition, you may be at risk of anemia of chronic disease. These conditions can lead to a shortage of red blood cells
- Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other source within your body can deplete your body's store of iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
- Family history. If your family has a history of an inherited anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, you also may be at increased risk of the condition.
- Other factors. A history of certain infections, blood diseases and autoimmune disorders, alcoholism, exposure to toxic chemicals, and the use of some medications can affect red blood cell production and lead to anemia.
- Age. People over age 65 are at increased risk of anemia.
Complications
Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as:
· Severe fatigue. When anemia is severe enough, you may be so tired that you can't complete everyday tasks.
· Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women with folate deficiency anemia may be more likely to experience complications, such as premature birth.
· Heart problems. Anemia can lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). When you're anemic your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
· Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can be serious and lead to life-threatening complications. Losing a lot of blood quickly results in acute, severe anemia and can be fatal.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
FERRUM METALICUM 30- Ferrum met. is one of the top remedies for anemia. The persons needing Ferrum Met are weak with paleness, and have frequent false flushings appearing at the slightest excitement. Vertigo, pulsating headaches and ringing in ears are also experienced by patients. Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath with palpitations in heart are dominantly present in such patients, as is coldness of body. Ferrum met is also prescribed for females who are anemic due to excessive bleeding during periods. The blood flows abundantly and the periods last much longer than normal.
ALETRIS FARINOSA Q--Aletris Farinosa is the best Homeopathic medicine for women suffering from anemia with extreme weakness and fatigue. There is a marked weariness and tiredness all day in such patients. The energy level seems to be markedly reduced and the body feels powerless. Frequent episodes of faintness and vertigo are common and even the face appears very pale. Anemia in women due to repeated abortions is best treated with Aletris Farinosa. Vaginal discharge due to anemia can also be corrected with this medicine. Aletris Farinosa is also effective t for women with anemia due to abundant bleeding during periods.
CHINA 30—China is the best remedy for anemia following excessive bleeding. The bleeding can be the result of a traumatic injury, excessive bleeding in periods or bleeding from any part of body like throat, bowels, nose, etc. The person is exhausted and even fainting spells occur due to extreme anemic conditions consequent to blood loss. Episodes of vertigo with marked weakness are also experienced. The body feels cold and pallor is marked. The face especially appears pale with sunken features. China acts both as a haemorrhage controller as well as enhances the amount of blood after the bleeding episodes.
NATRUM MURIATICUM 30-Natrum muriaticum is one of the best medicines for anemia with weight loss. Natrum Mur acts very efficiently to control weight loss as a result of anemia. The person appears very lean and emaciated with loss of flesh. The headache due to anemia is also best treated with Natrum Mur. The headache is mainly bursting in character. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the pain in head. Natrum Mur is also effective when anemic patients experience palpitations. Natrum Mur has a great ability to control palpitations due to decreased blood. Anemia due to longstanding grief is also best treated with this remedy Natrum Mur.Natrum mur patients have a craving for salt, this is a strong indication of Natrum mur. Natrum mur. is effective for anemia following malaria. Natrum Mur is also known to cut the bad effects of taking excessive quinine used as an anti-malarial drug
FERRUM PHOS 6X-Ferrum phos is a haemoglobin enhancer. Ferrum Phos is the most frequently used Homeopathic medicine to increase the haemoglobin level. It can be safely used among people of all age groups. Even during anemia in pregnancy, Ferrum Phos is a safe Homeopathic remedy though the dosage is to be properly handled by the physician during pregnancy. The skin appears pale in persons needing Ferrum Phos and they also experience palpitation of heart and weakness. The pulse rate is quickened. Vertigo and headache also appear as symptoms. Ferrum Phos is also the best remedy for controlling sweat in anemic patients especially at night.
PICRIC ACID 30- Picric acid is an effective remedy for pernicious anemia. Picric Acid have extreme weakness and prostration. Very marked weakness is present with a tired feeling all day. Tingling in limbs with needle-like sensation is often present. There is also an aversion to do any kind of work.
PHOSPHORUS 30-Phosphorus is another effective remedy for pernicious anemia. Phosphorus is of great help when there is a numbness of hands and arms. Longstanding diarrhoea with weakness is also experienced. An increased desire for cold drinks and ice creams is often noticed in Phosphorus patients.Phosphorus is also prescribed for anemia due to kidney diseases .
ARSENIC ALBUM 30-Arsenic alb is another effective remedy for anemia following malaria. Arsenic Album is prescribed when there is a marked weakness that gets worse at night. The person seems exhausted with much weakness. Even a slight exertion seems to worsen the weakness. Other important symptoms include anxiety and restlessness.
ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS 30- Alstonia Scholaris is considered a complete tonic for patients who have anemia and other complaints following malarial fever. The complaints apart from anemia are weak digestion. The patients needing Alstonia Scholaris have a history of diarrhoea during malarial fever.
ALUMINA 30-Alumina is an effective remedy for anemia due to nutritional disturbances. Alumina is the best remedy when there is sluggishness of the gastric system and the person remains very constipated. The intestines are so sluggish that the stool is retained for many days together. The urge to pass stool is absent. Along with constipation, pica is dominant and there is a desire for chalk, coffee grounds and other indigestible things. The person also has sensitivity to cold air.
NUX VOMICA 30—Nux vomica is also effective for anemia due to nutritional disturbances. Nux Vomica has constipation and senstivity to cold air. Nux Vomica, the constipation symptom is scanty stool with frequent ineffectual desire to pass stool. Acidity and heaviness in abdomen after eating is also marked.
CALCAREA PHOS 6X-Calcarea Phos is the best remedy for children with anemia and a weak digestive power. The abdomen is full of gas. Desire for salt or meat (especially smoked meat) is often noted. The child is also usually irritable and also has weak bones.
CALCAREA CARB 30-Calcarea carb is suited fat, flabby persons who have a desire for lime, chalk and pencils. Copious sweat on head is a guiding symptom of Calcarea carb. Calcarea carb patients have a craving for boiled .
NITRIC ACID 30-Nitric acid is an effective remedy for anemia with craving for chalk, paper, earth or any such indigestible things.There are often cuts at the corners of mouth. Aphthae or ulcers in the mouth are also seen frequently
PULSATILLA NIG. 30- Pulsatilla is an excellent remedy for anemia of those patients who were heavily and irrelevantly drugged by medications and tonics or due to accidental stoppage of menses. Pulsatilla patient is of weeping disposition and cries at the drop of a hat. Pulsatilla patient feels better in open air and worse in heat. Thirstlessness is another guiding symptom of this remedy.
STROPHANTHUS HIS. Q- Strophanthus is prescribed when anemia with palpitations and breathlessness is present. Strophanthus tones up the heart and is safer for the aged. Dyspnoea is present especially when ascending . Lungs congested.
LECITHINUM 3X-Lecithinum has a favourable influence upon the nutritive conditions of blood . It increases the number of red blood corpuscles and amount of haemoglobin. Loss of flesh and general breakdown noticed.
NATRIUM CACODYL 1X- Natrium cacodyl is a specific remedy for anemia. It increases the number of red blood corpuscles to double.
CEANOTHUS Q-Ceanothus is prescribed when anemia is due to dysfunction of liver and spleen. There is violent dyspnoea is present. Bronchitis with profound secretion occurs.
IRIDIUM MET 30—Iridium met is effective in anemia after exhausting diseases or due to old age or in children growing too fast. It increases red blood corpuscles.
KALI CARB. 30- Kali carb is an effective remedy for anemia. Blood lacks red blood corpuscles. The skin is milky white or watery with great debility. Young ladies at the time of puberty have menstrual troubles on account of great weakness. There is bloating of face, eyelids , and backache in lower back. These conditions occurring during menopause , especially bloating this remedy is indicated.
TEUCRIUM 10M—Teucrium is very effective in children for anemia due to pin worms. It will also eradicate worms.
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