Anemia is defined as a state of reduced number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the peripheral blood. It is much more often used to determine the pigment in red blood cells, hemoglobin, which serves as the main carrier of oxygen in the blood, the level of which is reduced in anemia. All chronic inflammatory diseases can cause consequences similar to iron deficiency anemia.
According to research by the World Health Organization in Europe, 19,3 percent of children aged 6 to 59 months and 20,1 percent of women of reproductive age have anemia, mostly mild.
As with most diseases, numerous risk factors are cited for the occurrence of anemia. You should know these facts about anemia:
- Anemia is one of the most common diseases in medicine, which affects about 30 percent of the population, and for over 50 percent of them, the cause is iron deficiency.
- Weakness, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, headaches, ringing in the ears and palpitations are the most common symptoms of anemia.
- People with chronic diseases are more susceptible to anemia.
- Women can become anemic after heavy menstrual cycles, and pregnancy can promote changes in the blood that result in anemia.
- If they do not take care to take in enough iron and vitamin B12, vegetarians and vegans are more often anemic due to a specific diet.
- Iron overload occurs when the intake of iron exceeds the possibilities of physiological "storage" and it accumulates in the body (liver, heart, pancreas, spleen, skin, joints and glands), and over the years the stored iron can cause the failure of these organs and chronic diseases, such as are cirrhosis, diabetes and heart failure.
There are several types of anemia, as well as a large number of different causes and methods of treatment. Some are mild, transitory and not a sign of concern, while some others represent more serious, chronic disorders.
Vitamins are very important for the production of red blood cells, especially vitamins B12 and B9 (known as folic acid), as well as vitamin C. If there is an insufficient intake of these vitamins, there is a reduced production of erythrocytes and anemia. Some, rarer forms of anemia can develop during life, and it is also possible to inherit them.
The treatment of anemia will depend on its cause, but most often, in addition to therapy with supplements or some other therapy, it also involves the introduction of a varied diet that is rich in iron, but also in other nutrients such as vitamins B12 and B9, among others.
When anemia occurs due to iron deficiency, treatment usually involves taking iron supplements, as well as changing the way you eat (introduction of iron-rich foods). If the iron is lowered due to blood loss, it is necessary to find the cause of the blood loss and solve it.
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