The most common symptoms of anemia are frequent tiredness, lack of disposition and pale skin, however, the best way to confirm the disease is to have a test to assess the levels of hemoglobin in the blood. Anemia is considered when this value is less than 12 g / dL in women and less than 13 g / dL in men.
Generally, anemia arises due to a lack of iron in the body, but it can also have another cause, which must be identified by the doctor, and therefore other tests may be ordered to select the best form of treatment.
If you think you may have anemia, select which of these symptoms you are experiencing to know your risk:
- 1. Lack of energy and excessive tiredness Yes No
- 2. Pale skin Yes No
- 3. Lack of disposition and low productivity Yes No
- 4. Constant headache Yes No
- 5. Easy irritability Yes No
- 6. Inexplicable urge to eat something strange like brick or clay Yes No
- 7. Loss of memory or difficulty concentrating Yes No
The symptoms of anemia begin little by little, generating adaptation, and so it may take some time before they realize that they may actually be the result of some health problem.
The most common type of anemia is iron deficiency anemia, which arises from iron deficiency in the blood, which is caused by low iron intake or prolonged bleeding, such as heavy menstruation or bleeding within the digestive system, due to a gastric ulcer, for example. example. Each mL of blood lost results in a reduction of about 0.5 mg of iron in the blood.
Other conditions that can also cause iron deficiency anemia are blood donation, major surgery, hemodialysis and high performance sports. See what types of anemia and how to identify.
How to confirm anemia
The best way to confirm the presence of anemia is to have a blood test to assess the amount of hemoglobin, to assess whether it is less than recommended.
The hemoglobin values for anemia to be considered vary according to age and other stages of life. The following table indicates the main stages of life and the values that indicate anemia:
| Age / Stage of life | Hemoglobin value |
| Children 6 months and 5 years | below 11 g / dL |
| Children from 5 to 11 years old | below 11.5 g / dL |
| Children between 12 and 14 years old | below 12 g / dL |
| Non-pregnant women | below 12 g / dL |
| Pregnant women |
below 11 g / dL |
| Adult Men | below 13 g / dL |
| Post childbirth |
below 10 g / dL in the first 48 hours below 12 g / dL in the first weeks |
After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor may order further tests to identify the type and cause of the anemia. Thus, it is possible to start a more appropriate treatment, which in the case of iron deficiency anemia is done with iron supplementation, for example.
Check other tests that confirm the type of anemia.
How to fight anemia
Anemia is usually treated by increasing the consumption of iron-rich foods, such as red meats, beans and beets, but in the most severe cases the doctor may recommend taking iron supplements, and in very severe cases a blood transfusion may be necessary. be needed. However, the increase in iron consumption is always indicated.
What to eat in anemia
You should eat more foods like red meat, offal such as liver and giblets, poultry meat, fish and dark green vegetables. People who consume animal products have a lower risk of developing iron deficiency anemia than vegetarians. Thus, when a person is a vegetarian, they must be accompanied by a doctor or nutritionist to make the necessary supplementation, and the combination of the right foods is also important to ensure the nutrients the body needs to be healthy.
In addition to consuming more iron, it is also recommended to consume a source of vitamin C in the same meal. So, if you don't like to eat meat, you can eat braised cabbage and have a glass of orange juice, because vitamin C increases the absorption of iron present in the cabbage. Another important precaution is not to drink coffee or black tea after meals because they hinder the absorption of iron. Check out what food should be like in case of anemia in the following video:
See some examples of teas and juices against anemia
Iron supplement against anemia
For the treatment of severe anemia, the doctor may recommend taking an iron supplement as follows:
- 180 to 200 mg of elemental iron per day for adults, 1.5 to 2 mg of elemental iron per day for children.
Doses should be divided into 3 to 4 doses, preferably 30 minutes before lunch and dinner.
As a way of preventing anemia, the doctor may also recommend iron supplementation during pregnancy and in children of preschool age. The recommended dose is approximately:
- 100 mg of elemental iron per day for pregnant women and breastfeeding women; 30 mg of elemental iron per day for preschoolers and 30-60 mg of elemental iron per day for schoolchildren, at least two to three weeks 2 times a year.
After starting iron supplementation, after about 3 months, you should repeat the tests to see if the anemia has disappeared.
