Haemoglobin

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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Anaemia – Introduction, Causes, Symptoms and Types

Anaemia is a condition in which the red blood cells count decreases. Anaemia may be defined as a condition in which there is a decrease in the quantity of haemoglobin or in the number of red cells. The raw materials required in the production of these cells are iron, proteins, and vitamins, especially folic acid and B12. Of these, iron and proteins are essential in building up the red colouring matter called hemoglobin. When a person turns anaemic, his body tissues get lesser amount of oxygen.
The oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin (Hb), a red, iron-rich protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to all of the body’s muscles and organs.

Causes of Anaemia

- Deficiency of iron is an important cause for anaemia.
- Excessive red blood cell destruction (‘haemolysis’).
- Deficient red blood cell production.
- Sudden blood loss.
- Improper diet.
- Women after conceiving a child suffer from iron deficiency that eventually leads to anaemia.
- Internal bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
- Diet low in vitamin B12 or folic acid.
- Lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach or intestinal parasites or worms.
- Blood diseases such as leukaemia.
- Intestinal parasites or worms.
- Certain inherited blood diseases eg. thalassaemia- Infections, such as malaria.
- The body needs more iron when a large amount of cell divisions occur, such as in pregnancy and during periods of rapid childhood growth.

Signs and Symptoms of Anaemia

- Weakness and fatigue.
- Dull and Tiredness.
- Lack of energy.
- Shortness of breath.
- Premature wrinkles.
- Lack of stamina.
- Headache.
- Impaired memory and ability to think.
- Being intolerant of cold temperatures.
- Rapid pulse.

Types of Anaemia

- Iron Deficiency Anaemia: The body is running low on iron. The body needs iron to successfully produce haemoglobin the substance that carries oxygen throughout the body. The body is loosing blood faster than it is making it. This can be caused by gastritis, piles, stomach cancer, ulcers or bowel cancer.
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anaemia: Lack of folic acid, one of the B group of vitamins, in the bloodstream is the main cause of this deficiency. Alcoholism and inadequate intake of folic acid are the main causes of this deficiency.
- Pernicious Anaemia: It mostly affects people between the ages of 50 and 60 and is a result of a lack of vitamin B12. Symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea, heart palpitations and numbness or tingling in extremities.
- Aplastic anaemia: This is caused by an absence or reduction of red blood cells. This can happen through injury where the blood forming tissue in the bone marrow is destroyed. Symptoms include lethargy, paleness, bleeding, rapid heartbeat, infections and congestive heart failure.
- Sickle Cell Anaemia: It is a result of an abnormal type of red blood cells. It is life threatening.

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.