What is Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Low iron levels are quite common in India, particularly in women. The majority of us are unaware of it. We only find out about a low iron hemoglobin count during a routine health check-up or blood test. Low iron in red blood cells can lead to iron deficiency anemia in individuals.
While iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common causes of low iron hemoglobin levels, other factors can put you at risk. Pregnancy, menstruation, liver disease, recent surgical intervention, or urinary tract infection are all common health conditions that can cause a low hemoglobin count.
Before we get into some natural ways to protect ourselves from iron deficiency anemia by maintaining normal iron levels in the blood, there are a few things you should know.
Low Haemoglobin Count
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) for 2015-16, iron deficiency is widespread in India,
It has been reported that approximately 55.9 percent of children aged six months to less than a year suffer from iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin count less than 11.00 g/dl) and nearly 50.8 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years have hemoglobin count less than 13.0 g/dl.
If the hemoglobin level is lower than the normal hemoglobin range, you should see a doctor. The normal range of hemoglobin in blood for women, men, and children is as follows:
- Women - 12.1 – 15.1 gm/l
- Men - 13.8 – 17.2 gm/l
- Children - 11.0 – 16.0 gm/l
A blood test can tell you whether your hemoglobin levels are normal or not. Some iron deficiency symptoms can indicate a low hemoglobin count in the blood.
Iron Deficiency Symptoms
Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen around the body. In most cases, a slight low iron level does not result in any symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, so most people do not consult a doctor.
Low iron hemoglobin, despite going unnoticed and untreated most of the time, has its own set of differential iron deficiency symptoms that can help a practitioner identify the underlying cause.
Some common iron deficiency symptoms are -
- Overall fatigue and weakness
- Excessive suffocation
- Dizziness accompanied by nausea regularly
- Headache
- Pale skin and weak nails
- Quick heartbeat
- Appetite deficiency
- Easy bruising and a lack of clotting
- Bone weakness and joint pain
- Tongue ache
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
Iron Deficiency Treatment
The majority of cases of iron deficiency anemia can be treated with simple lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy and balanced diet and exercising regularly.
Iron supplements and medications may be required in some cases. Here are some natural ways for iron deficiency treatment at home.
1) Include Iron-Rich Foods
Increase your low iron level by eating more iron-rich foods such as spinach, chicken liver, asparagus, meat, broccoli, green peas, beans, fenugreek leaves, seafood, ground beef, cauliflower, and tomatoes.
To overcome an iron deficit, consume iron-rich fruits such as papaya, oranges, beetroot, pomegranate, banana, peaches, mulberries, apple, lychees, kiwi, guavas, apricots, watermelon, and strawberries.
2) Mixed Foods for Iron Deficiency Treatment
Consuming legumes such as soya, red kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, lentils, fava beans, and black-eyed peas help with effective iron deficiency treatment at home.
Incorporate foods like dates, almonds, wheat germ, sprouts, Indian gooseberry, herbs (nettle leaves, Colocasia leaves), brown rice, whole grains, and sesame seeds into your diet. They can assist you in maintaining normal iron levels in your body. Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet paves out the odds to develop iron deficiency anemia.
3) Include vitamin C-rich foods
The majority of people consume iron-rich foods but still fail to maintain normal iron levels in their bodies because the iron in food is not absorbed by the body. As a result, including Vitamin C is recommended for iron deficiency treatment because it aids in iron absorption in the body.
Vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits such as Indian gooseberry, oranges, and lemon, as well as strawberries and dark leafy green vegetables.
4) Increase folic acid intake
Folate, a B-complex vitamin, is essential for iron deficiency treatment because it helps in producing red blood cells in the body.
A lack of this acid lowers hemoglobin levels, which increases the risk of iron deficiency anemia respectively. Folic acid-rich foods are thus recommended for people with low iron levels.
Green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, liver, fortified cereals, rice, peanuts, bananas, sprouts, broccoli, and dried beans are all rich in folic acid and often recommended by doctors to patients of iron deficiency anemia.
Although folic acid supplements are available over-the-counter, and they play a vital role in lowering iron deficiency symptoms, you should only take them after consulting with your doctor. Take supplements at a daily dose of 200-400 mg for iron deficiency treatment effectively.
5) Avoid foods that inhibit iron absorption
Most of us are mindful that calcium is a major iron blocker in the body.
Calcium supplements should be taken about an hour before or after iron consumption because they inhibit iron absorption in the body.
Foods rich in tannins, such as tea, coffee, wine, beer, cola, and aerated drinks, are iron blockers and should be consumed after or before an hour for iron deficiency treatment effectively.
6) Choose high-intensity workouts
The importance of exercise in maintaining overall health cannot be overstated. Exercise not only keeps you fit and healthy, but it also improves blood circulation, which aids in hemoglobin production.
Exercises of moderate to high intensity promote normal iron levels in people with iron deficiency anemia respectively.
7) Consult your doctor before using iron supplements
When hemoglobin levels are dangerously low, doctors give iron supplements.
Men should take 8 mg of iron each day, while women should take 18 mg. Pregnant women should take 27 mg per day.
Take no more than 29 mg of supplements per day as a precaution because it may cause nausea, constipation, or vomiting. It can lead to liver cirrhosis in the worst-case scenario.
Conclusion:
Anaemia means iron deficiency in blood. Pregnancy, menstruation, liver disease, recent surgical intervention, or urinary tract infection, inability to absorb iron, not eating enough iron rich food are all common causes of iron deficiency or low hemoglobin count. If you feel overall fatigue and weakness or other symptoms of having iron deficiency anemia, then you should consult a doctor. Do not go for self medication because overdose of iron supplements may cause side effects like nausea, constipation or vomiting.
However, you can get a free consultation from specialist doctors regarding diet or supplements to overcome anemia over online platforms like Truemeds. Also you can purchase supplements that have been recommended by Truemeds expert doctors on this online pharmacy. Truemeds is the most reliable and reputed online pharmacy that provides generic medicines online, at your doorstep across India at a heavy discounted price. By choosing an alternative or generic medication recommended by our Truemeds experienced doctors while ordering medications online, you can save even more money (save upto 72%).
