Abstract
Anaemia
is the most common nutritional deficiency disorder in the world.There are many
types of anaemia, but in this article we discussing about iron deficiency
anaemia which is common among all type of anaemia’s.Women in the childbearing
years are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency anaemia because of the
blood loss from menstruation and the increased blood supply demands during
pregnancy. It's estimated that at least 2 out of every 10 women in India have
iron-poor blood.
Introduction
Anaemia is a
condition where the number of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood is
lower than normal. RBCs transport oxygen throughout the body, so a shortage of
these cells can be serious. WHO defines anaemia as a condition in which the
Haemoglobin (Hb) content of blood is lower than normal as a result of
deficiency of one or more essential nutrients, regardless of the cause of such
deficiencies. Anaemia is the most common nutritional deficiency disorder in the
world. Anaemia ‘a silent killer’ among women in India: Present scenario, by
Kawaljit Kaur in the European Journal of Zoological Research, 2014, the author
states that India has among the highest number of cases of anaemia in the world
with an estimated 50 percent of the population affected. Iron-deficiency
anaemia is the most common type of anaemia.
Causes
of Anaemia
According
to the American
Society of Haematology, iron deficiency is the most common cause of
anaemia. There are many reasons for person might become deficient in iron.
These include: Inadequate iron intake, Pregnancy or blood loss due to
menstruation, certain medical conditions can cause internal bleeding &
inability to absorb iron.
Iron
deficiency may also be aggravated by poor nutritional status, especially when
it is associated with deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin A or B12, as is often
the case in populations living in developing countries. A diet that is
monotonous, but rich in substances (phytates) inhibiting iron absorption so
that dietary iron cannot be utilised by the body. In India, the prevalence of anaemia
is high because of low dietary intake, poor iron (less than 20 mg /day) and
folic acid intake (less than 70 micrograms/day); poor bio-availability of iron
(3-4 percent only) in phytate fibre- rich Indian diet; and chronic blood loss
due to infection such as malaria and hookworm infestations. The low dietary
intake of iron and folic acid coupled with poor bioavailability of iron is the
major factor responsible for very high prevalence of anaemia in the country. s.
In the adolescent phase of women due to
menstruation, the requirement of iron increases. Every month about 40 ml. blood
is lost with approximately 0.6 mg of iron. This increased requirement for iron
is not met due to discriminatory social beliefs and food restrictions.
According to WHO, women of childbearing age need to absorb 2-3 times the amount
of iron required by men or older women.
Clinical
Presentation
The
symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia can be very mild at first.The symptoms of
moderate to severe iron deficiency anaemia include: general fatigue, weakness,
pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, strange cravings to eat items that
aren’t food, such as dirt, ice, or clay, a tingling or crawling feeling in the
legs, tongue swelling or soreness, cold hands and feet, fast or irregular
heartbeat, brittle nails and headaches
Diagnosis
Although
the history and physical examination can lead to the recognition of the
condition and help establish the etiology, iron deficiency anaemia is primarily
a laboratory diagnosis.
Useful
tests include a complete blood count (CBC); a peripheral smear; serum iron,
total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and serum ferritin.
Other
laboratory tests (eg, stool testing, incubated osmotic fragility testing,
measurement of lead in tissue, and bone marrow aspiration) are useful for
establishing the etiology of iron deficiency anemia and for excluding other
diseases
If
bloodwork indicates iron deficiency anemia, then following additional tests can
perform to identify an underlying cause, such as:
Endoscopy
- check for bleeding from a hiatal
hernia, an ulcer or the stomach with the aid of endoscopy
Colonoscopy. To
rule out lower intestinal sources of bleeding.
Ultrasound. Women
may also have a pelvic ultrasound to look for the cause of excess menstrual
bleeding, such as uterine fibroids.
MANAGEMENT
Home
natural remedies
In
the treatment of nutrition related anaemia, combinations of nutrient rich foods
play a very important role in absorption of iron. For e.g. Iron from corn is
better absorbed when eaten with fish or meat, whereas milk inhibits iron
absorption. Vitamin C increases iron absorption by a factor of 4. Being a
powerful reducing antioxidant agent; it changes ferric iron to better absorbed
ferrous form of iron.
Beetroot
and Amla:
Beets are extremely important in curing anaemia. Beets contain potassium,
phosphorous, calcium, sulphur, iodine, iron, copper, carbohydrate proteins,
fat, Vitamin B1, B2 niacin,B6 Vitamin P and Vitamin C (that helps absorption).
In fact Vitamin C is regarded as the most potent enhancer of iron absorption
and vitamin C alone will often increase body iron stores. Thus, the juice of
Red beets and amla(that is packed with Vitamin C) strengthen the body's power
to regenerate and re-activate the red blood cells and supplies the body with
fresh oxygen.
Banana
and Honey:
Bananas are particularly beneficial as they also contain besides easily
assimilable iron, folic acid and B12, all of which are extremely useful in the
treatment of anaemia. Drizzle honey over the bananas as it is rich in copper
which helps in iron absorption.
Jaggery
and Ginger: Regular intake of jaggery in any form with any food
will help combat anaemia. A person can obtain 3% of iron of daily value from
10grams of jaggery. Regular intake of jaggery with ginger juice helps in better
absorption of iron.
Fenugreek: The
leaves of fenugreek help in blood formation, cooked leaves can be taken to
prevent anemia. The seeds of fenugreek are also a valuable cure for anaemia
being rich in iron. Also the fat soluble chlorophyll molecule is similar to the
haemoglobin molecule and is efficiently
absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract providing all the structural elements
for hemoglobin.
Spinach A
diet rich in green leafy vegetables like spinach is one of the best home cures
for anaemia. Spinach is rich in iron as
well as vitamin B12 and folic acid, energy boosting nutrients that the body
needs to recover from anaemia
Pomegranate is
rich in iron and other minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. It also
contains vitamin C, which helps improve the body’s absorption of iron. This
results in more red blood cells and an increase in the hemoglobin level.
Dates are
a rich source of iron as well as vitamin C that plays an important role in the
body’s absorption of iron. Soak two dates in a cup of milk overnight. The next
morning, eat the dates and drink the milk on an empty stomach.
Blackstrap
Molasses:
Blackstrap Molasses is a great source of iron, about 5 tablespoons of black
strap molasses contain 95 percent of your daily allowance of iron. Try to eat
foods high in Vitamin C alongside blackstrap molasses- cabbage, broccoli,
citrus fruits are all good choices. In addition to these, include raisins,
dried apricots, mangoes, brewer's yeast, dried beans, lean meats and shell fish
to enhance your iron levels. Sesame seeds are also great for treating
anaemia due to their high iron content. One fourth cup of sesame seeds provides
almost 30 percent of the daily iron requirement.
However,
there are also several foods and beverages that inhibit iron absorption
including coffee, tea, egg yolks and foods high in phytates such as wheat bran.
Antacids and over use of calcium supplements also decrease iron absorption.
These items should be restricted for individuals with iron deficiency. Foods
rich in calcium should be avoided when taking iron rich foods, as they
inhibit iron absorption.
HOMOEOPATHIC
MANAGEMENT
Homoeopathy
is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of
remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by
using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete
health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the
patient is suffering.
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Medicine
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Indication
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Aletris Farinosa
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Great
tonic for woman not only increase blood but also weakness , Tired dull,
heavy,confused feeling. Debility of females from protracted illness; no
organic disease. Power and energy of mind and body are weakened.
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Calcarea carbonica
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Almost
any of the deeper acting constitutional remedies may be of use in anaemic
anddebilitated conditions, and especially are the Calcareas useful.
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Ferrum phosphoricum
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People
who generally feel weak and tired because of the loss of iron from the body
or poor absorption proved to be an effective remedy for those who are
suffering from these situations.
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Calcarea Phosphoricum
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It
is a good remedy for treating the anemia. It is helpful in giving the
strength to the bones and helpful in curing the debility and weakness which
is generally developed by the loss of iron from the
body.
Also this medication helpful in improving the texture of the skin and it very
effective remedy for those children who have deficiency of minerals and
suffering from weak bone.
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Helonias
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It
is very beneficial homeopathic remedy for anaemia and cholorsis. It is
generally effective for women having anemia which occurred from the long
period of hemorrhage by indolence or luxury, or like worn out with hard work.
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Phosphorus
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When
the predominant symptom is that of weakness, exhaustion or prostration,
Phosphorus is one of the best homeopathic medicines for anaemia. There is
increased thirst and that too for cold water. The patient is usually thin,
wiry and tall in stature. There is great weakness of the nervous system.
There is increased restlesness and one cannot tolerate any noise, strong odor
or light.
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Calcarea flour
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It
is very beneficial homeopathic remedy for those having iron deficiency
anaemia. It is helpful in boosting up the energy and also helps in higher
absorption of iron in the blood. It also helps in lowering the symptoms of
anemia which is better in forming the haemoglobin.
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Kali phosphoricum
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It
is also good homeopathic remedy in curing the iron deficiency anaemia. It
helps by providing the strength to the nerves and also helps in providing the
relief from the vertigo and headache.
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Natrum muriaticum
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It
is an effective homeopathic remedy in curing the anemia. It is good for those
who has exhaustion following loss of blood, which is generally occurred by
the aggravated by heat, in case of chronic
because
of physical and emotional disorder.
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Cinchona
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It
is good homeopathic remedy in treating the anemia. It is effective for those
who are having anemia because of blood loss, blue colour around eyes, night
blindness and debility from the exhausting discharges.
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Arsenicum
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It
is an effective homeopathic remedies for treating anemia. This remedy is for
those pernicious anemia, debility from overtaxing, muscular tissues by
prolong exertion and extreme restlessness.
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Pulsatilla
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It
is beneficial homeopathic remedy for treating the anemia. It is Effective for
those women having chloro-anaemic women which always complain of feeling
chilly.
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Natrum muriaticum
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This
is one of our best remedies in anemic conditions. There is paleness, and, in
spite of the fact that the patient eats well, there is emaciation. There are
attacks of throbbing headache and dyspnoea, especially on going up stairs,
constipation and depression of spirits, and consolation aggravates. With
these symptoms there is much palpitation, fluttering and intermittent action
of the heart.
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Nitric acid
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When
there is an irresistible desire to eat chalk, paper, earth or any such
indigestible things, Nit-acid is one of the best homeopathic medicines for
anaemia. There are often cuts at the corners of the mouth. Aphthae or ulcers
in the mouth are also seen quite frequently.
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Cinchona
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In
cases where the cause is blood loss, Cinchona is one of the best homeopathic
medicine for anaemia. The blood loss may be due to increased menstrual flow
as happens in some females or due to worms as occurs in some children. Even
when the blood loss has happened in some acute cases like injury, Cinchona is
very useful. One feels weak and tired. There are frequent 0.headaches.
Periodicity of the pains is a characteristic of this medicine.
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Conclusion
The
aim of homoeopathy is not only to treat anaemia but to address its underlying
cause and individual susceptibility. Caring for blood count is essential for
life since whole life / health relies on it. With clear-cut causes like
accidental bleeding, heavy menstruation, pregnancy, poor nutrition, the person
can be treated accordingly with the prescribed essential supplements in the
form of foods / tablets / tonics / injections and in case of critical condition
blood transfusion may be a must. No one can deny this principle. But using
supplements (in the form of tablets / tonics / Injections) continuously without
regular nutritious food to maintain blood counts / haemoglobin is not
acceptable. In general, 50 per cent of anaemic patients can be cured with diet
alone, 30 per cent may need supplements and medicines and 20 per cent may need
blood transfusion and medicines.
Even
though well substituted, if the cell activity is not capable of absorbing the
same, the substitute will go waste and the cell will continue to be less active
or diseased. Actually, everyone needs stimulation for good activity.
Homoeopathic medicines can tackle the complaint or disease without persistent
usage by treating the root cause.Anaemia is an ongoing process of chronic
fatigue. Complaints will creep up with time when not attended properly. So it
is better to analyse the cause and treat the condition right to the
requirement.
