All teens are tired! We know this to be true because you lead very active and busy lives – but sometimes you may be feeling exhausted and lethargic for no apparent reason. If you feel like this and have not been diagnosed as yet – you could be anaemic.
To understand anaemia, you first need to understand what Haemoglobin (Hb) does for your metabolism. Haemoglobin is a component in your red blood cells which carry oxygen to all the organs and other parts of your body. This happens in your body because oxygen is needed for every aspect of your body to function. As such it is very important that an adequate haemoglobin concentration is in your blood.
If you have anaemia, it means the haemoglobin concentration in your red blood cells (RBCs) is much lower than what is appropriate for your age and gender. Anaemia is a blood related disorder that can be cured / corrected with the right diet and supplements.
Causes
Anaemia is caused by:
1.Reduced Production of RBCs as a result of Iron deficiency, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Folate/Folic Acid deficiency and/or Bone Marrow failure.
2.Excessive Loss of RBCscaused by heavy menstrual bleeding, hook worm infestations and chronic blood loss.
3.Destruction of RBCs or Haemolytic Anaemia caused by several complex reasons that will need to be diagnosed by a doctor.
To know if whether you are anaemic, check if you have the following symptoms. If you answer yes to two or more of the below mentioned symptoms, seek medical advice immediately:
Do you feel -
-Lethargic or sleep excessively?
-Do you have palpitations/feel your own heartbeat?
-Easily tired?
-A shortness of breath?
-A desire to eat things that are not food?
-That your palms are pale? Pale palms
Treatment
The first thing a doctor would do is to perform a full blood count, based on the results of your test, possible further examination and a discovery of the causes, your doctor will advise the following courses of treatment
-Iron and Vitamin supplements (vit.C and folic acid) to be taken regularly after meals as indicated.
-You will be advised not to take these supplements with calcium tablets, tea or coffee as these impair the absorption of iron into your body.
-An advised and planned diet that will include high iron elements.
- Worm treatment prior to Iron Supplements
Prevention
To prevent anaemia, it is advised that the following foods be a part of your regular diet in order that your RBC has sufficient haemoglobin levels:
-Red meat/fish like tuna-kelawalla,balaya
-Liver
-Oily fish
-Pulses, beans and peas
-Breakfast cereals
-Dark green vegetables – spinach
-Nuts and seeds
Liver – is also rich in vitamin A therefore, to be avoided during pregnancy
Additionally, if you are anaemic, you should try to avoid the following foods:
-Black & Green Tea
-Coffee
Note:
Ideally consumption of tea or coffee to be avoided two hours before and after meals.
