Anaemia is a condition in which your body does not produce enough red blood cells. It occurs due to the destruction of red blood cells or your body’s inability to create enough healthy red blood cells.

It’s a serious global public health problem that occurs at any stage of life. In fact, it’s one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. Anaemia can be a temporary or long-term condition and can range from mild to severe. It can also be a sign of a serious illness and must not be ignored. But did you know it is treatable and preventable?

Consult a doctor and follow the treatment advised to keep your haemoglobin and other CBC parameters in check.

Signs and Symptoms of Anaemia

There are a lot of signs and symptoms that point towards a possible cause of anaemia. Keep a lookout for the following:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Sore tongue
• Headache
• Restless movement in the lower leg isn’t intentional.
• Fast heartbeat
• Brittle nails, pale skin

Non-iron deficiency Anaemia (Types and Causes)

There are many cases of anaemia that are brought about not because of an iron deficiency. These include:

• Pernicious Anaemia

Patients suffer from this type of anaemia when they lack something called an intrinsic factor that helps absorb Vitamin B12. Without the vitamin, healthy red blood cells cannot be produced. If the body lacks vitamin B9, the person can get something called folic acid deficiency anaemia, but more often than not, any anaemia related to any vitamin B deficiency is clubbed with this.

• Hemolytic Anaemia

This type may be a genetic or an acquired condition wherein your body produces deformed red blood cells, which die off very quickly.

• Sickle Cell Anaemia

This genetic form of anaemia happens as the shape of the RBCs is faulty. They are sickle-shaped, which clogs the blood vessels. This results in damage, and the haemoglobin may not work properly as a result.

• Diamond Blackfan Anaemia

It is a rare blood disease that can be genetic or acquired. The bone marrow does not create enough red blood cells, and it is diagnosed within the first year of 90% of people who are suffering from it.

• Aplastic anaemia

This is caused due to damaged bone marrow which cannot produce enough amount of red blood cells. Another name for it is bone marrow aplasia.

• Fanconi Anaemia

Even here, anaemia is caused due to lack of enough red blood cells. Moreover, people suffering from it develop physical conditions like abnormal bone structure and skin colour.

• Mediterranean Anaemia

Also known as Cooley’s anaemia, this disease refers to beta-thalassemia major. These are inherited conditions in which the body cannot create enough haemoglobin. Additionally, the red blood cells produced have a very short lifespan.

If you are suffering from anaemia, you should take care to avoid the following foods and must follow a specific diet plan to treat this disease quickly. In short, a healthy diet is your first line of defence.

The following checklist can undoubtedly be of great help for anaemic patients to prevent it from getting worse.

1. Avoid Tannins 2 hours before and after meals

Tannins are plant-based, naturally occurring substances. The tea and coffee you drink also contain tannins. They are also present in fruit juices, berries, pomegranates, nuts, legumes, herbs, and spices.

Iron absorption occurs predominantly in the duodenum and upper jejunum of the small intestine. These substances then bind iron molecules and interfere with iron absorption in the body. Due to this interference, iron is not completely absorbed from your body.

2. Say No to Gluten

Food items rich in gluten must be avoided in people with gluten intolerance as it can worsen Anaemia. Gluten may damage the intestinal wall and prevent iron and folic acid absorption, which are required to produce red blood cells.

In celiac disease (a disease in which the small intestine is damaged as the patients are allergic to gluten), folate and iron are not entirely absorbed in the body. As a result, this malabsorption can lead to anaemia. However, gluten must only be avoided if you are allergic to it and not otherwise.

3. Avoid Phytates

Phytates, also termed phytic acid is present in legumes, whole grains, nuts, and brown rice. The phytic acid binds with the iron present in the digestive tract and inhibits its absorption. Hence, Anemic patients must avoid foods containing phytates.

4. Beware of Calcium-Containing Foods

The mineral hinders iron absorption, and therefore consuming calcium-containing food products in combination with other iron-rich foods can affect how much iron is being absorbed by your body. Dairy foods like milk, yoghurt and cheese should be spaced at definite intervals if you are taking iron supplements. Therefore, it is advisable to take calcium-containing foods at different time slots.

Also, Read Foods That Are Good For Anaemia

5. Polyphenols

These are significant inhibitors of iron absorption. Various foods like cocoa, coffee, apples, spices, walnuts, etc. contain polyphenols or phenolic compounds; hence, they should be taken at a gap of 2-3 hours from iron supplements. 

6. Avoid Alcohol Consumption

Not only anaemia but alcohol can also cause or worsen several other health problems and must be avoided. Drinking too much alcohol can result in anaemia, it can impact red blood cell production and maturation. This causes abnormality or dysfunction of the cells. Alcohol may also affect how nutrients are absorbed from food and lead to iron and folic acid deficiencies, which are responsible for the proper formation of haemoglobin. 

7.  Certain Medications

In some cases, a drug may sometimes mistake your own red blood cells for foreign substances. The body responds quickly by making antibodies that attack the red blood cells and causes them to break down too early. Always consult with your doctor before taking any medications.

Risk factors

Certain factors can increase the risk of anaemia:

• If your diet is low in iron and lacks vitamins and minerals like vitamin B-12, folate and copper, it increases your risk of anaemia.
• Having an intestinal disorder can also affect the absorption of nutrients and puts you at risk of anaemia.
• Menstruation causes the loss of red blood cells, and women who haven’t had menopause are at a greater risk of iron deficiency anaemia.
• It is important to have a multivitamin with folic acid and iron when pregnant otherwise, you are at risk of having anaemia.
• If you have cancer, kidney failure or another chronic condition, you could be in a shortage of RBCs and have anaemia.
• Family history may be another factor to put you at an increased risk of sickle cell anaemia.
• People over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of anaemia.

Read More: 9 Anaemia Symptoms & Signs To Watch Out For

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation

References

https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia/iron-deficiency

Iron deficiency anaemia

https://www.nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/programmes/child-health/guidelines/Control-of-Iron-Deficiency-Anaemia.pdf