Out with anaemia
JUL 08 -
Rita is just 25, but she always feels tired, short of breath and is unable to concentrate fully on her daily work. She also suffers heavy bleeding during menstruation. But because there were no other problems, she took some time before seeking medical help. Rita was swiftly diagnosed with anaemia.
There are many others like Rita who are going about their lives, suffering various symptoms of anaemia, without being officially diagnosed or treated. This is a global problem, but more prevalent in our part of the world, and especially the female population. If left untreated, it could cause a host of other health issues. And the symptoms of anaemia are usually so minor that they are easily neglected—mild indications usually include, as mentioned above, fatigue, general malaise and poor concentration. Of course, in some cases, symptoms can be severe, comprising difficulty in breathing, palpitations, angina (chest pain) and even features of heart failure.
Anaemia is a blood condition where there is an evident decrease in the number of red blood cells, or less than the normal quantity of haemoglobin, in the blood. Since haemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that collects oxygen from the lungs and distributes it to other parts of the body, the organs and muscles of an anaemic person do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen. This is why patients often experience tiredness, shortness of breath, and malaise.
There are a number of types of anaemia, but iron deficiency anaemia associated with bleeding, is by far the most common. This variation of anaemia occurs more often in women than men or children. Usually, when women in the reproductive age group undergo menstruation every month, they lose significant amounts of blood, and when this is sustained over time, it leads to low haemoglobin levels. Women with conditions like menorrhagia (heavy periods), metrorrhagia (irregular cycles), and those with benign or malignant growths on their uteruses are most likely to develop iron deficiency anaemia; its incidence in pregnant women and lactating mothers is particularly and alarmingly high in Nepal. Most people here don’t follow proper diets either, while others may be suffering bleeding due to illnesses like ulcerative colitis, diverculitis, and colon cancer, putting them at increased risk. Even simple conditions like worm infestations comprise one of the major causes of anaemia in our part of the world.
And given how its symptoms can range from severe to mild, there are high chances of anaemia going undetected.
Anaemia is typically diagnosed by conducting a complete blood count that will reveal whether the haemoglobin is less than required in the normal range. Then, further tests can be carried out to detect the exact cause of the condition. Management of anaemia depends on both its cause and severity. Some types of anaemias can be treated through improving one’s diet. Others, such as women who suffer anaemia owing to menstrual issues, will be prescribed iron supplements. But these supplements may prove inadequate or induce complications—lots of people experience stomach discomfort and passage of dark faeces, and in some cases where there is an absorption problem or where the oral supplements are ineffective, injectable iron supplements are to be considered, or even other medical and surgical procedures, should the need arise. In severe cases, blood transfusion may be required.
Anaemia is thus a condition that affects populations in all parts of the world, and one that can be easily diagnosed and treated. Regardless of whether you suffer mild symptoms or if your case is more severe, it would be wise to seek the advice of a medical professional as soon as possible, so that he or she can help you manage your condition with the resources available.
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