Ironing out facts about anaemia

The Global Nutrition Report 2017 indicates that India tops the list among the countries with the maximum number of anaemic women.

Anaemia is caused due to the lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood. People with anaemia appear pale and complain of dizziness. Some factors can exacerbate the risk for anaemia. For instance, a diet that is low in iron, vitamin B12, and folate; intestinal disorders; excessive bleeding during menstruation, pregnancy and family history of the condition.

• Iron deficiency anaemia: Iron is required for producing haemoglobin. Inadequate intake of iron can lead to anaemia. It increases the chances of foetal deaths, abnormalities, pre-term and underweight babies.
• Vitamin deficiency anaemia: Lack of folate and vitamin B12 can reduce the production of red blood cells. Pernicious anaemia is a condition where a person cannot process vitamin B12.
• Aplastic anaemia: In this case, the bone marrow is unable to produce enough red blood cells because of infections, medications, autoimmune disorders etc.

It is possible to prevent anaemia by following good dietary advice. Eat iron-rich leafy vegetables, red meat, lentils, cereals etc.

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(The author is medical director, Portea Medical)