Anaemia can be said to be a condition in which there is a decrease in the quantity of haemoglobin or the number of red cells. You get anaemia when you don’t have enough red blood cells. This makes it difficult for your blood to carry oxygen causing unusual tiredness and other symptoms. Anaemia is among the most common ailments affecting human beings. Nearly half the blood flowing in our veins and arteries consists of red blood cells which carry oxygen to the tissues; through it’s pumping action, the heart propels blood around the body through the arteries. The red blood cells take up oxygen in the lungs and carry it to all the body’s cells.

The cells use this oxygen to fuel the burning of sugar and fat which produces the body’s energy. During this process, carbon dioxide is created as a waste product.

It binds itself to the red blood cells that have delivered the oxygen. The red blood cells then transport the carbon dioxide back to the lungs, and this is exchanged for fresh oxygen by breathing. This process is called oxidation.

Approximately, one trillion new blood cells are formed daily in the bone marrow. The raw materials required in the production of these cells are iron, proteins, and vitamins, especially folic acid and B12. Of these, Iron and proteins are essential in building up the red colouring matter called haemoglobin. A red cell has a lifespan of approximately 120 days and is then destroyed and replaced. The number of red blood cells can drop if there is:

•A reduction in the number of red blood cells produced.

•An increase in the loss of red blood cells.

Symptoms Of Anaemia
The affected individual usually complains of weakness, fatigue, lack of energy and dizziness. Other symptoms include a haggard look, premature wrinkles, dull and tired looking eyes, poor memory, shortness of breath on exertion, headache, slow healing of wounds, and palpitations. The skin and mucous membranes look pale. Iron deficiency anaemia symptoms and treatment can vary from case to case, but bruising and hair loss are extremely common anaemia related problems. This is because the inadequate supply of oxygen to the cells of the skin results in slower healing and so, bruising is one of the side effects of anaemia. In the same manner, the roots of the hair receive less oxygen as well and so they are considerably weakened. Topical applications and other such methods of hair loss treatment may not have any effect, and it will be necessary to treat the root cause of the problem, which in this case is the Anaemia, in order to prevent hair fall. Anaemia often causes the skin on the limbs to remain cold and sweaty. The skin on the palms and soles of a person suffering from anaemia will generally appear pale.

Symptoms of anaemia in women may be more severe compared to men. This is due to the regular loss of blood during menstruation which aggravates the condition.

Anaemia in women, especially during pregnancy, is a very common problem, and immediate dietary changes would help treat this condition. Signs and symptoms of anaemia during pregnancy include breathlessness and dizziness. It is beneficial to note that symptoms of anaemia in women are very different from those seen in infants and children.

Causes Of Anaemia
There are several factors that can lead to anaemia.

•Reduced formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. A diminished formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow, either due to defects in the bone marrow or due to an inadequate intake of iron, vitamins and proteins is one of the main causes of anaemia.

•Heavy loss of blood due to injury, bleeding piles or excessive menstruation in women. When blood is lost in excess by the body through any of these means and the lost blood is not replaced in the body, there tends to be development of anaemia.

•Lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach or intestinal parasites or Worms. Anaemia can also occur due to a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach which is needed for digestion of iron and proteins, or intestinal parasites or worms. These worms feed on the supply of blood as well as on vitamins. This is one of the most common causes of anaemia in infants and children. Symptoms of anaemia in children are not always noticeable and so, it is advisable that regular checkups be conducted to avoid further conditions from occurring.

•Sickle Cell Anaemia. It is also referred to as sickle cell disease and it is a genetic blood disorder that results in the restriction of blood flow to the various organs of the body. The decreased blood can cause several related conditions including organ damage and failure. If this condition is diagnosed during childhood, dietary changes and lifestyle changes will help to minimize the damage caused by this condition. It is important to explain to the child what causes sickle cell anaemia and the methods that he/she can employ to help reduce the severity of the symptoms. This will help the child to understand that the condition has not occurred through any fault of his and that he will experience symptoms like pain, aches, or cramps and that he must inform the parents of any such symptoms right away. The treatment of sickle cell anaemia generally consists of ways to minimize the symptoms as this is a genetic condition, and so ongoing treatment is necessary.