Anaemia

Iron & Folate Deficiency Anemia In Pregnancy – Causes, Types, Symptoms and Treatment

A pregnant woman, as well as her growing baby and developing placenta, need extra iron to support a rapidly increasing blood supply. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to body tissues via the red blood cells. Low amount of red blood cells in the body your body does not get oxygen from blood. It is the most general problem faced during pregnancy in women. It can cause severe complexities in the baby if it is not diagnosed and treated properly.
The fetus is dependent on the mother’s blood and anemia may be associated with poor fetal growth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. The volume of blood increases in pregnant women by almost 50% and this may result in a drop in the percentage of red blood cells which leads to anemia.

Symptoms of Anemia

- Tiredness.
- Dull.
- Dizzy.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Paleness.
- Breathlessness.
- Headache
- Nausea
- Forgetfulness
- Abdominal pain
- Trouble in concentrating.
- Rapid pulse.

Causes of Iron Deficiency and Folate Deficiency

- Alcohol abuse.
- Poor diets.
- Impaired absorption because of intestinal dysfunction.
- Prolonged drug therapy.
- Loss of blood.
- Diet and digestion.

Types of Anemia in pregnant women

- Iron Deficiency Anemia : The baby starts using the iron that is stored in mother’s body for his/her own growth. If the mother has sufficient iron then she can meet the increased demand but if she has less iron that is necessary to produce red blood cells then she will develop anemia. It can also be caused because of poor diet, loss of blood in pregnancy and excessive use of antacids.
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency : Vitamin B12 to synthesize proteins and to form red blood cells. Including animal foods in the diet such as milk, cheese, yogurt meats, eggs, and poultry can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. Strict vegans may receive supplemental vitamin B12 by injection during pregnancy.
- Folate Deficiency : It is a B-vitamin that works with iron to help with cell growth. Both folate and iron are essential for red cell production and during pregnancy there is an increased need to supply both the mother and the developing infant(s). Folic acid may help reduce the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord if taken before conception and in early pregnancy.

Risk From Anemia in Pregnant Women

- Twin or multiple pregnancy.
- Results in pre-term delivery, retarded physical growth of the baby and cause low birth weight.
- Tired and fatigued.
- It can cause serious defects in the brain and spinal cord of the baby.

Treatment of Anemia

- Iron deficiency anemia is treated with iron tablets.
- Pregnant women fail to ingest or absorb adequate amount of iron and may need to be treated with intra-muscular iron injections.
- Folic acid deficiency anemia is treated with folate tablets.
- Vitamin C intake should be increased to help in better absorption of iron.
- Good sources of iron include meat, green vegetables, dried fruit, pulses, such as chick peas and lentils, foods that are fortified with iron, such as some breakfast cereals and bread.

NOTE: Iron supplements may cause nausea and cause stools to become dark greenish or black in color. Constipation may also occur with iron supplements.

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Introduction to Leukemia and what causes it ?

Leukemia is cancer that starts in the tissue that forms blood. These deranged, immature cells accumulate in the blood and within organs of the body. They are not able to carry out the normal functions of blood cells.
White blood cells (leukocytes) are part of the immune system and help fight a variety of infections. They also help in the healing of wounds, cuts, and sores.
In a person with leukemia, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells. The abnormal cells are leukemia cells. Unlike normal blood cells, leukemia cells don’t die when they should. They may crowd out normal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This makes it hard for normal blood cells to do their work.
As leukemia progresses, the cancer interferes with the body’s production of other types of blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets. This results in anemia (low numbers of red cells) and bleeding problems, in addition to the increased risk of infection caused by white cell abnormalities.
As a group, leukemias account for about 25% of all childhood cancers and affect about 2,200 American young people each year.

Causes of Leukemia

Experts say that different leukemias have different causes. The following are either known causes, or strongly suspected causes:
- Artificial ionizing radiation.
- Viruses – HTLV-1 (human T-lymphotropic virus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
- Benzene and some petrochemicals.
- Alkylating chemotherapy agents used in previous cancers.
- Maternal fetal transmission (rare).
- Hair dyes.
- Genetic predisposition .
- Down syndrome.
- Electromagnetic energy.
- Chemicals. Some types of chemicals are known to be carcinogens (pronounced car-SIN-o-genz). A carcinogen is anything that can cause cancer. Chemicals can cause cancer by damaging cells and the substances within them.
- Myelodysplastic syndrome — People with this blood disease are at increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia.

Anaemia or Lack of Haemoglobin in blood – Natural Home Remedy

Anaemia is a decrease in your blood cell count, and/or a decreased hemoglobin content in the blood. Since red blood cells are the ones responsible, for carrying oxygen to the cells via the hemoglobin, a lower amount, would mean low oxygen in all your body’s tissues, and if you are pregnant your baby gets less oxygen as well. Anemia can be caused by blood loss, which means that not enough red cells are being produce, or that too many red cells are being killed off.
Usually, anemia is due to iron deficiency, but also can be caused by not having enough Vitamin B12; B6; Folic acid; and/or copper in your system.

SYMPTOMS OF ANAEMIA :
- Pale appearance of skin due to the loss of blood.
- Discoloration of the nails and the lips.
- Patient usually feels fatigue and unable to work for long hours.
- Insomnia is also commonly observed with anemic patients.
- Digestive problems like indigestion, constipation and flatulence may sometimes also be seen.
- Person suffering from anemia also finds difficult to breathe.
- The person feels cold often. The hands and feet are felt as cold.
- Heartbeats will be quite rapid. Minor activities can raise the heartbeat excessively.

HOW TO PREVENT ANAEMIA ?
- Take healthy diet, rich in iron such as whole grain cereals, legumes, nuts, dry dates, beet root, red meat, especially beef and pulses.
- Person suffering from vitamin deficiency anemia should take diet rich in vitamins such as eggs, fish, organ meats and milk products such as cheese.
- If person is deficient of folic acid, he should consume green leafy vegetables and food grains in his diet.
- Some natural sources of vitamin C that will help you in the treatment of vitamin deficient anemia are Fresh citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, indian gooseberry, capsicum and tomatoes.

HOME REMEDIES TO CURE ANAEMIA :
- BEETS : Beets are very effective in increasing the haemoglobin rate and thus curing anemia. Beet juice is rich in iron, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, vitamin B 1, B2, B12 and also vitamin P. It also helps in increasing the bone marrow and increases the rate of formation of RBC. One glass of beet juice is to be consumed daily at breakfast. It not only cures anemia but also strengthens the body’s resistant power.
- FENUGREEK LEAVES : Cooked fenugreek leaves are to be consumed daily, especially by adolescent girls on the onset of menstruation to avoid anemia and to increase the RBC content of blood.
- SPINACH AND LETTUCE : These two leafy vegetables are very rich sources of iron and help in the treatment of anemia. Cooked spinach can be taken as a side dish everyday while lettuce is good as salad.
- ALMONDS : Soak 7-8 almonds in water for 3 hours and remove its skin. You may eat the soaked almonds or make a paste of it and swallow.
- Try to cook in iron pots; it is proven that doing it can significantly increases the amount of iron in your foods.

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS :
- Avoid drinking coffee, tea and ingesting antacids, because they decrease iron absorption.
- It’s very important to get the proper nutrients into the body. Eating a diet rich in cereals, rice, pastas, dairy products (milk, yogurt and cheese), vegetables and fruits, meat, poultry and fish, and finally dry beans, eggs, and nuts. Has been proven to help boost the immune system.