Anemia
Also called anemia, low hemoglobin, low blood, khoon ki kami, low hb
What this condition is
Anemia means there are not enough healthy red blood cells, or not enough haemoglobin, to carry oxygen around your body. Haemoglobin is the part of blood that carries oxygen, so when it is low, you may feel tired, weak or breathless. It is very common in India, especially in women and growing children, and is often due to a lack of iron in the diet. The reassuring part is that most anemia is very treatable. Once the cause is found and addressed, your energy and wellbeing usually return.
Signs to watch for
- Tiredness and weakness
- Pale skin, lips or inner eyelids
- Breathlessness on mild activity
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- A fast heartbeat
- Headaches and difficulty concentrating
- Brittle nails or hair fall in some people
What to do
- Take iron or other supplements exactly as prescribed
- Eat iron rich foods like green leafy vegetables, dals, jaggery and dates
- Have vitamin C foods like lemon and amla with meals to help iron absorption
- Get tested to find the cause of your anemia
- Complete the full course of treatment, even after you feel better
What to avoid
- Do not take tea or coffee right with meals, as they reduce iron absorption
- Do not stop iron tablets early, as stores take time to refill
- Do not ignore heavy periods or any other bleeding
- Avoid self diagnosing, as the cause needs to be identified
Ways to feel better day to day
- Cook in iron utensils where suitable to add a little iron
- Combine dals and grains with vitamin C rich foods
- Space tea and coffee away from meals and iron tablets
- Treat the underlying cause, such as worms or heavy periods
- Eat a varied, balanced diet to prevent it returning
Speak to a doctor if
- Severe tiredness, breathlessness or chest pain
- Fainting or a very fast heartbeat
- Blood in the stool, urine or vomit
- Very heavy periods causing weakness
- Anemia not improving despite treatment
Your next step
Turn this into a plan that is yours
Everything above is general. Your dose, your targets and your test schedule depend on your age, your reports and the other conditions you live with.
