Signs of anemia – your doctor has taught you how to prevent it and how to help yourself when you are sick

According to the doctor, patients are diagnosed with anemia more often in the spring than at other times of the year. The disease can occur in people who have had little fresh air, have not taken additional multivitamins, and have often suffered from colds. Anemia also occurs due to an unbalanced diet, especially a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Women suffer more

The main symptoms of anemia are generalized weakness, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, depressed mood, pale skin, hair loss, rapid heartbeat, blinking eyes, memory impairment.

According to E. Svikščiūtė, this disease is detected much less frequently in men than in women. They may experience anemia during heavy periods and during pregnancy.

“Anemia can also occur in those who follow strict diets, limiting the consumption of meat products. It is also caused by hard physical or mental work, smoking, excessive coffee consumption, and chronic diseases with bleeding. In children and adolescents, anemia is sometimes detected during the growth period ”, says the family doctor.

In patients who want to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of this disease, a general blood test is performed, ferritin and iron levels are determined, and if vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is suspected, their levels are analyzed.

Anemia is defined as a hemoglobin of less than 120 g / l in women of childbearing age and less than 130 g / l in men and postmenopausal women. In this disease, the number of red blood cells in the blood is less than 3.9 x 1012 in women and less than 4.3 x 1012 in men.

It is important to balance your diet

According to the GP, a complete diet will help prevent anemia. Iron is abundant in red meat (beef, veal, liver), fish, rabbit, and turkey. The stock of this element can also be replenished by eating plant-based foods: beets, kidney beans, kidney beans, peas, red cabbage, horseradish, parsley, nettle, etc.

Iron absorption is increased by vitamin C and its products: citrus fruits, fruit juices, so it is recommended, for example, when eating beet salad, sprinkle them with lemon juice. It is also important to note that dairy products reduce iron absorption, so they should be consumed separately and not with iron-rich foods.

To prevent anemia, it is advisable to abandon harmful habits, be physically active, spend enough time in the fresh air, treat chronic diseases.

For those with anemia confirmed by a doctor, it is helpful to take iron supplements. Their GP advises them to follow them exactly.

“Iron supplements should be taken after blood tests and doctor’s recommendations. Only dietary supplements that contain low levels of iron or plant-based supplements are safe for a long time. Iron supplements can also overdose if they are used incorrectly. Firstly, it would cause gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, constipation, “says E. Svikščiūtė.

According to the doctor, it is generally not difficult to prevent anemia or restore an iron-deficient body; all you have to do is ignore the symptoms and soon your condition will improve significantly.