Anemia: Symptoms, Treatments, Types, and Homoeopathic Approach

ANAEMIA

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status.

In adults, the lower extreme of the normal hemoglobin is taken as 13.0 g/dl for males and 11.5 g/dl for females. Newborn infants have higher hemoglobin level and, therefore, 15 g/dl is taken as the lower limit at birth, whereas at 3 months the normal lower level is 9.5 g/dl.

Clinical features of anemia reflect diminished oxygen supply to the tissue. A rapid onset of anemia (e.g. due to blood loss) causes more profound symptoms than a gradually developing anemia.

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world.

 

A few salient facts

•        In developing countries every second pregnant woman and about 40% of preschool children are estimated to be anemic.

•         In many developing countries, iron deficiency anemia is aggravated by worm infections, malaria and other infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.

•         The major health consequences include poor pregnancy outcome, impaired physical and cognitive development, and increased risk of morbidity in children and reduced work productivity in adults. Anemia contributes to 20% of all maternal deaths.

Causes

1)      Increased blood loss

•       Uterine - excessive menstruation & repeated miscarriages

•       Gastrointestinal e.g. peptic ulcer, hookworm infestation, hemorrhoids, cancer of stomach and large bowel, chronic aspirin ingestion.

•      Renal tract e.g. hematuria (presence of blood in urine), hemoglobinuria (presence of hemoglobin in urine).

•     Nose e.g. repeated epistaxis.

•     Lungs e.g. hemoptysis (coughing up of blood).

2)      Increased requirements

•      Spurts of growth in childhood, infancy and adolescence.

•      Prematurity.

•      Pregnancy and lactation.

3)      Inadequate dietary intake

•     Poor economic status.

•     Anorexia (lack/loss of appetite) e.g. in pregnancy.

•     Elderly individuals due to poor dentition, apathy and financial constraints.

4)      Decreased absorption

Symptoms

 In symptomatic cases of anemia, the presenting features are:

• ·         Tiredness , Lethargy, Easy fatigability

• ·         Generalized muscular weakness

• ·         Headache

• ·         Pallor

• ·         Tachycardia, dyspnoea on exertion.

• ·         Anorexia, flatulence, nausea, constipation and weight loss

• ·         Reproductive system- Menstrual disturbances such as amenorrhea and menorrhagia and loss of libido.

• ·         Renal system- Mild proteinuria and impaired concentrating capacity of the kidney may occur in severe anemia.

Investigations

1.  Complete blood counts (CBC) with reticulocyte count is the basic test.
2.  Biochemical findings: The following biochemical tests are of value:

•    The serum iron level

•    Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)

•    Serum ferritin

•    Red cell protoporphyrin

•    Serum transferrin receptor protein

Diet plan

Good sources of iron include:

•  Liver and other meat.

• Seafood.

• Dried fruits like apricots, prunes and raisins.

• Nuts.

• Beans, especially lima beans.

• Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli.

• Blackstrap molasses.

• Whole grains.

• Iron-fortified breads and cereals (check the label).

1. Eating iron rich foods with vegetables or vitamin C pills or foods rich in vitamin C will aid iron absorption.
2. Some foods block the absorption of iron. These include coffee, tea, egg whites, milk, fiber, and soy protein. Try to avoid these when you’re eating food high in iron.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH:

It is important to find out the exact cause of anemia and correct the dietary deficiency. In many cases it is digestive and assimilative potential of the patient that is the culprit. Homeopathic medicines are good at correcting such states of the body. Anemia can be treated with homeopathic system along with proper dietary management. There is no specific homeopathic remedy for anemia. Medicines are selected in the basis of individual symptoms.  Visit Our website any Buy Homeopathy Products Online .

Ferrum Phosphoricum, Ferrum Metallicum, China Officinalis, Phosphoricum Acidum, Glycerinum, Natrium Phosphoricum, Natrium Muriaticum, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla  Pratensis, Aletris Farinosa, Arsenicum  Album, Kalium Phosphoricum, Helonias Dioica, Calcarea Phosphorica, Ferrum Arsenicosum, Picricum Acidum, omeo anaemia syrup, biocombination 1, Ferrum Phosphoricum, ferrum met

Visit our more blogs - BACKBONE OF HOMOEOPATHY- Mother tinctures