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The Hidden Causes and Risk Factors of Anemia

The Hidden Causes and Risk Factors of Anemia

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Anemia affects a large percentage of the population without being known. A blood test is often the only way to determine if someone experiences anemia.

Fatigue, dizziness, and paleness are symptoms of anemia, but they might be mistaken for those of other conditions. A person may help prevent anemia from affecting their general health and their daily lives by becoming aware of the risk factors that can lead to anemia.

 

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient red blood cells or the red blood cells are not functioning properly. Family history is a potential cause of this condition; however, medical conditions can also contribute to anemia.

Anemia can have a negative impact on the quality of your life. For the treatment of mild anemia, it is possible to consume foods that are high in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 in order to increase the production of red blood cells. Nevertheless, severe anemia may suggest the presence of cancer symptoms, requiring blood transfusions as a treatment.

Read more: Why Can Aplastic Anemia Cause Death?

 

Causes and risk factors of anemia

Anemia is typically the result of inadequate production of hemoglobin or red blood cells. This condition is the result of:

  • The body is unable to produce an adequate quantity of hemoglobin or red blood cells.
  • loss of a significant number of red blood cells as a consequence of bleeding
  • The human body has the capacity to generate red blood cells; however, these cells are unable to function at their optimal level.

There are numerous risk factors that contribute to anemia, such as:

Gender

The hemoglobin levels of women are lower than those of men. Normal hemoglobin levels in women are between 12 and 16 g/dL, while in men, they are between 14 and 18 g/dL. In contrast, the iron requirements of women are greater than those of men. A person might experience anemia if this requirement is unfulfilled.

Pregnancy and menstruation

Pregnancy and menstruation are additional variables that can put women at risk for anemia. Hormonal shifts and iron deficiency can impact the body's ability to produce red blood cells, which can lead to anemia during pregnancy.

However, menstruation, particularly in cases of excessive bleeding, can result in significant blood loss for women, potentially leading to anemia.

Chronic diseases

A malfunctioning red blood cell production system might be a symptom of certain chronic diseases. Kidney disease and cancer are chronic diseases that can lead to anemia.

Surgery or injuries wound

Accidental, traumatic, or surgical injuries can lead to open wounds that result in significant blood loss. This disease may result in iron deficiency anemia.

Read more: Benefits Of Consuming Goat Meat, Good For Heart Health And Preventing Anemia

 

How to prevent anemia

Consuming foods that are high in iron, such as nuts, seeds, green vegetables, and red meat, can both prevent and treat certain varieties of anemia. Additionally, anemia patients are required to consume foods that are high in vitamin C, such as fruits and vegetables, that help with the absorption of iron.

To optimize iron absorption, it is also possible to restrict the consumption of foods that slow down iron absorption, such as tea, coffee, cocoa, and calcium. Your doctor might recommend that you take iron supplements in accordance with their instructions. If anemia is the result of a severe disease or medical condition, the doctor may perform an examination and prescribe treatment in accordance with the specific disease.

 

Either genetic background in the family or lifestyle choices can lead to anemia. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

 

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Writer : Ratih AI Care
Editor :
  • dr. Alvidiani Agustina Damanik
Last Updated : Friday, 5 July 2024 | 06:24

Mayo Clinic. Anemia. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Causes and Risk Factors. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/causes

Cleveland Clinic. Anemia. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3929-anemia

Moawad, H. (2022). Causes and Risk Factors of Anemia. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/anemia-causes-4783780

WHO. Anaemia. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemia#