Another common cause of anemia is Mediterranean anemia, namely thalassemia. Beta thalassemia carriers are common in our country and Cyprus. A detailed examination makes it easy to distinguish between iron deficiency and Mediterranean anemia carrier.
Iron Deficiency
Since Mediterranean anemia carrier is a congenital disease, if there are blood levels of previous years, these should be reviewed. Low hemoglobin levels from years ago cause suspicion of being a carrier of Mediterranean anemia. Of course, patients with recurrent iron deficiency anemia over the years and who have not been fully treated should not be overlooked.
Rheumatic Pains
Since it is a hereditary disease, Mediterranean anemia carriers have parents, mothers and fathers. The same is true in or near it. These people should also be investigated. Anemia, which can sometimes be confused with iron deficiency, can be seen in some chronic diseases with inflammation such as rheumatic diseases, connective tissue disorders, brucellosis and tuberculosis.
Prepares the Ground for Many Diseases
All these conditions are related to the production of blood cells. . There are also cases where all blood cells are destroyed rapidly, one of the important reasons for this is the size of the spleen. Spleen enlargement can be seen in a wide variety of diseases. It doesn't necessarily have to be a blood disease. A range of conditions, from liver diseases to infections, can cause it. As you can see, a person with longstanding anemia must be examined in detail and treated according to the underlying disease.
Beware of Fatigue and Forgetfulness!
You wake up tired in the morning, you feel tired all the time. If your forgetfulness has increased, your hair has weakened, your palpitations have started, you may have anemia. The most important cause of anemia is iron deficiency. The common problem of the majority of women, especially, is iron deficiency and anemia.
The Postpartum Period is Risky
Anemia is seen at a higher rate in women than in men. The most important reason for this is blood loss with each period. If the lost blood cannot be replaced, slowly developing anemia begins. Medical Oncology and Hematology Specialist Prof. Dr. Coşkun Tecimer stated, "Anemia due to blood loss and iron deficiency is observed in the majority of mothers, especially after giving birth."
Premature Child
Again, low weight and premature birth anemia is seen in children, children in the growing age may usually be somewhat anemic as the body's needs increase.Studies have shown that one third of women and one fifth of men have iron deficiency anemia.One of the most important causes of anemia is iron deficiency in the blood.This is directly related to the diet.
Red Meat and Offal
Since iron is predominantly found in red meat and offal, a chronic iron deficiency may develop in a vegan diet, in which animal products are not eaten.Iron is the basic component of hemoglobin, where oxygen binds, in red blood cells that carry oxygen in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein and iron complex that gives blood cells their red color.
Vegetables Must Be Consumed
Oxygen taken from the lungs through the air binds to the iron in the hemoglobin and is transported to the tissues, in cases where iron is deficient, oxygenation is impaired, anemia develops. An adult human body has a total of 5-6 grams of iron. In order to meet the constant need of the body, 3-4 mg of iron must be taken daily, this amount is very difficult to meet from iron-rich vegetables.
Vegetarians Attention!
Another common form of anemia. The disease is a deficiency of vitamin B12. This vitamin is a necessary substance for DNA synthesis of dividing cells, especially bone marrow cells in the human body. It is not synthesized in the body, it is taken from the outside with food. Vitamin B12, which comes to the digestive system, cannot be directly absorbed. Especially the blood cells in the bone marrow are destroyed early and anemia occurs.
B12 and Iron Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a disease that can be treated. For this, vitamin B12 is given externally through the muscle. B12 injections are given every day in the first days when deficiency is detected. It is then applied once a week. Vitamin B12 should be given for life, once a month after a few applications. Supplementation of another B vitamin called folic acid Its frequency causes anemia similar to B12 deficiency. It can occur in cases where you do not get enough of this vitamin with food or when the need increases. In treatment, folic acid pills are given orally externally.
Iron-Rich Foods
- Red meat
- Chicken, turkey
- Tuna, salmon
- Eggs
- Tofu, soybeans
- Legumes (dried beans, lentils, chickpeas, broad beans, such as kidney beans)
- Oil seeds (nuts, walnuts, almonds)
- Fresh peas, black-eyed peas, beans, green peppers
- Fresh fruits (orange, melon, strawberry, such as mulberry, banana)
- Green leafy vegetables (parsley, mint, arugula, spinach, chard, broccoli, dill…)
- molasses, tahini, dried fruits (raisins, prunes) , dried figs, dates, dried apricots),
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