Anaemia is a condition marked by the insufficient production of red blood cells or haemoglobin in the body. The problem can be developed by people of any age group or gender, including small children and affects around about 1.6 million people across the globe. In India, it has become a major health concern with an alarming prevalence of around 52 per cent. As per the experts specialising in bone marrow transplant in Pune, nutritional deficiencies, especially iron deficiency, happen to be one of the greatest factors responsible for anaemia in our country. Anaemia could also be the result of an underlying disease or infection such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV, which directly or indirectly destroy the red blood cells or hinder their production.

Why anaemia is a cause of concern?

The red blood cell or haemoglobin levels of a person suffering from anaemia tend to drop gradually. Now, the red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the different areas of the body and when you are not producing enough of these, it will naturally hamper the circulation of oxygenated blood in the body. Lack of enough oxygenated blood can cause your cells and tissues to die, resulting in permanent damage. In extreme cases, anaemia can even prove to be life-threatening.

Determining the severity of anaemia

The best doctors in Pune suggest that the haemoglobin levels determine the severity of the anaemia, and the treatment is then planned accordingly. Haemoglobin production is very much dependent upon the iron levels in your body and you need to make for the deficiency of the same to ensure that your haemoglobin levels stay healthy.

What causes anaemia?

There are several different factors that could be responsible for lowering your red blood cell count. These include:

• Lack of proper nutrition
• Pregnancy
• Active bleeding due to underline conditions like piles and ulcers
• Underlying malignancy such as kidney cancer
• Genetic abnormalities
• Drug abuse
• Side effects of medication

Determining the underlying cause is very important as it plays a vital role in curating the proper treatment plan for the patient.

Types of anaemia

Anaemia can be classified into several different types the most common of which is Iron deficiency anaemia. The condition is more common in females as compared to males and pregnant females tend to lie in the high-risk group. Iron deficiency anaemia is characterized by symptoms like fatigue, general body weakness, pale tone of skin, hair fall and accelerated heartbeat.

Other types of anaemia include:

• Aplastic anaemia, which is marked by the inability of the body to produce enough red blood cells due to damaged bone marrow
• Hemolytic anaemia, which is marked by the destruction of the healthy red blood cells by the body itself
• Pernicious anaemia, which is caused by the deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body
• Normocytic anaemia, which is characterized by a low number of red blood cells in the body
• Sickle-cell anaemia, which is the result of a genetic disorder that affects the production of red blood cells.

Role of proper nutrition

Nutrition plays a very crucial role in the management of any medical condition, especially anaemia, wherein nutritional deficiencies happen to be a grave risk factor. In fact, different types of anaemia might even call for the need for varied dietary modifications.

For instance, a person suffering from anaemia due to a deficiency of iron or vitamin B12 needs to take foods and supplements that are loaded with the same.

In case the anaemia has been caused by an underlying infection or disease, the patient is recommended to eat foods that would boost their immunity.

What to eat?

If you are still wondering what you should eat if you have been diagnosed with anaemia, here is a list of some healthy foods, as listed by the expert known for the best bone marrow transplant in India, that can help to raise your red blood cell counts.

• Green leafy vegetables like spinach, collard greens and kale, as they are loaded with folate and vitamin C. The latter is important as it helps your body to absorb iron better.
• Nuts and seeds like almonds, cashews and hemp seeds, as these are rich sources of iron
• Lean meat and poultry, as these can provide you with nearly 22 per cent of your total iron requirement.
• Freshwater fish like sardine and mackerel, as these contain high levels of iron.
• Beans and legumes, as these also contain a good amount of iron and can be used by vegetarians who cannot have lean meat, fish or poultry

If you wish to know more about anaemia and how it affects your body or to explore the various treatment options available for the same, contact the expert from the best hospital in India today.