Anemia is an increasing disease, which is being seen in women. Fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fast heartbeat, anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells in the body decreases.
Also read: Anemia: Make lifestyle changes to increase hemoglobin levels naturally
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anura Kurpad, Professor and Head of Physiology at St John’s Medical College and Senior Advisor, Nutrition Portfolio, Tata Trusts, said, “Understanding the causes driving the condition allows targeted interventions, Due to which this can be made possible effectively. Manage anemia and address it often.” He said that while iron deficiency is one of the driving causes, there are other lesser-known causes that can trigger anemia. The doctor also noted unknown causes:
Parasitic infection:
Parasitic infections such as malaria, ascariasis, ancylostomiasis and others deplete iron levels in the body, as the parasites feed on the host’s blood, and cause inflammation that hinders the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Can.
Also Read: Anemia in Children: Common and Uncommon Causes, Symptoms, Treatment in India
Repeated pregnancies:
Repeated pregnancies can contribute to anemia because pregnancy requires additional iron and nutrients for fetal growth and increased blood volume. Having back-to-back pregnancies can put further strain on the body, especially with blood loss during delivery.
Excessive consumption of alcohol:
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to anemia by reducing the production of healthy blood cells and causing premature destruction of red blood cells. Avoiding alcohol and social situations that encourage drinking can help reduce the risk.
Also read: Anemia in India: Impact on reproductive health and ways to prevent it
Excessive menstrual bleeding:
Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, due to hormonal imbalance or uterine abnormalities can be a result of anemia if it occurs persistently. Dr Anura Kurpad said, lead a healthy lifestyle and keep a close eye on your blood levels, especially during menstruation.
Vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency:
Vitamin B-12 and folate help produce healthy red blood cells. Deficiency of these nutrients can result in a reduced number of red blood cells or the growth of large abnormally shaped cells that are ineffective at transporting oxygen.
Lack of dietary variety:
A limited, monotonous diet with high consumption of processed foods and caffeine that prevents iron absorption can also cause anemia. To counter this, include a variety of foods: eat heme iron (animal-based) sources such as beef and poultry, and non-heme (plant-based) iron sources such as lentils, spinach, and beans.
Also read: Adding variety to our plate: Ways to deal with anemia
Exposure to pollution and chronic inflammation:
Another potential factor contributing to anemia is exposure to air pollution, particularly PM 2.5, which increases systemic inflammation, reduces iron absorption and affects red blood cell formation in the bone marrow.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
