Women suffer from anemia more than men,Why Anemia in Women Is More Common
Do you feel very weak all the time? Chest palpitations or shortness of breath with little effort? The signs that you may be avoiding because of a little tiredness, are the ones that tell you about anemia.
Not only in Bangladesh, the number of people suffering from anemia is not small in the whole world. But be aware of when exactly it starts, or what kind of symptoms you see. Many people do not have a clear idea about it.
For example, few people know about the various physical complications that can arise from anemia.
Besides, why do women suffer more from anemia? Anemia is not male? If not, what is the reason?
Let's know about this problem of human body.
What is anemia?
Anemia does not mean loss of blood, but depending on age and sex, if the hemoglobin present in the red blood cells is less than the desired amount, then it is called anemia or anemia.
Someone suffering from anemia means that their body is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
Anemia is a common and serious global public health problem. Children and women account for the majority of anemia sufferers worldwide.
Mainly young children, menstruating teenagers and women, women during pregnancy and after delivery are affected.
According to the World Health Organization, 40 percent of children aged six to 59 months, 37 percent of pregnant women and 30 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years are anemic worldwide.
Why is anemia?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the leading medical organization in the United States, anemia occurs when there is not enough hemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood.
This can happen if:
The body does not make enough hemoglobin or red blood cells
Hemorrhage causes rapid loss of red blood cells and hemoglobin before replacement
The body itself destroys red blood cells and hemoglobin
Bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. But without enough iron, the body cannot make hemoglobin or blood cells properly.
Anemia can be caused by various reasons. But one of the main causes of anemia is lack of iron in the body. Iron deficiency anemia is most prevalent worldwide.
Although iron deficiency is one of the main causes of anemia, anemia can be of many types. These include-
1. Vitamin deficiency anemia
2. Anemia of inflammation
3. Aplastic anemia
4. Bone marrow anemia
5. Hemolytic anemia
6. Sickle cell anemia
Apart from iron, the body needs folic acid and vitamin B-12 to make blood. If there is no food rich in vitamin B-12 in the food list, deficiency of vitamin B and folic acid is created in the body. Anemia may occur as a result.
However, many people cannot take vitamin B-12. This can also lead to vitamin deficiency anemia.
It can also happen if the red blood cells are broken. Chronic diseases, such as kidney or liver failure, thyroid gland problems, arthritis, cancer, tuberculosis can cause anemia.
Even hemoglobin itself can cause anemia due to numerous diseases such as thalassemia, blood cancer, loss of bone marrow production capacity.
When asked about this, the former head of the medicine department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Mohammad Billal Alam said that more than 50 percent of people in Bangladesh are suffering from anemia. However, it can range from mild to moderate to severe depending on the individual.
In addition, malnutrition, peptic ulcers, immune system defects, long-term pain medication and steroid use can cause anemia due to stomach ulcers, worm infections, stool or menstrual bleeding, and frequent pregnancies.
Anemia can occur even with profuse bleeding in the accident.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
If the hemoglobin in the body decreases, the fatigue will build up. As a result, appetite decreases. These mainly indicate anemia in the body.
According to the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, the symptoms of anemia are:
1. Physical weakness, lethargy and tiredness
2. Shortness of breath
3. Feeling of extra pressure on the heart and increased heart rate
4. Pale body
According to the Mayo Clinic website, anemia can also cause symptoms such as decreased energy, dull skin, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, chest pain, and headaches.
Apart from this, in some special cases, problems like fever, diarrhea or jaundice may also occur.
Why are women more affected by anemia than men?
According to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, some people are at higher risk of developing anemia. For example-
1. During menstruation and during pregnancy
2. Lack of sufficient iron and certain vitamins
3. Taking certain medications and during treatment
In Bangladesh, women are more affected by anemia than men. The main reason for this is the physical characteristics of women.
Blood flows out of women's body every month as a result of menstruation. In some cases, the level is much higher, and sometimes it lasts longer than usual. As a result, profuse bleeding leads to anemia.
Mainly due to men production process and pregnancy women are more prone to get anemia.
Professor Alam said, 'In the background of Bangladesh, iron deficiency anemia is the most
Iron decreases greatly during menstruation and pregnancy. For this reason, the amount of hemoglobin in women is 1.5 grams less than men, he said.
In addition, Professor Alam identified worms as the second major cause of anemia in Bangladesh.
Many people do not follow basic hygiene practices such as washing hands or eating food. As a result, worm eggs enter the body through them. When the worms that live in the stomach suck the blood, the iron in the blood is depleted, resulting in anemia.
What kind of food to eat if anemia?
Eat iron rich foods to avoid anemia. Chickpeas, chickpeas and chickpeas are rich in iron.
Also, spinach, beans and bean seeds, green bananas, cauliflower, liver, seafood, milk, eggs, dates, chicken liver, beef are also iron rich foods.
Rich in iron, calcium, carbohydrates and fiber, currants help to compensate for hemoglobin deficiency.
Foods rich in vitamin C help in the absorption of iron. On the other hand, if there is a lack of iron in the food or if you drink too much tea and coffee, iron absorption is hindered.
However, if the deficiency is not met through food, it becomes necessary to take supplements. Professor Alam said that blood can also be taken if necessary.
But all this should be done under the doctor.
If you are suffering from anemia, first you need to know how severe it is. Find out the reason behind it and take action accordingly.
Prevention is better than cure for anemia. Any problem related to anemia should be consulted by a specialist doctor.
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