Feeling Weak? How a Simple Test Could Reveal Anemia

Introduction

Do you feel weak or tired even after having a normal diet ? Do you feel dizzy or have frequent headaches combined with anxiety, palpitations and exhaustion? Do people around you tell you that you have become pale and weak?

These may be symptoms of anemia. It is a disorder of insufficient or defective red blood cells. In India, more than half of the females and children suffer from this deficiency making it a major health concern.

It’s important to investigate and treat it promptly as it leads to reduced work output and also a host of other issues like frequent infections, exhaustion, heart diseases etc.

Understanding Anemia

A condition in which the blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells or reduced amount of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying protein in RBCs. This leads to reduced oxygen flow to the body’s organs.Without adequate oxygen, your organs and tissues struggle to function properly, leading to fatigue and other symptoms. Anemia isn’t a disease in itself—it’s more like a warning signal that may be an underlying deficiency or some other issue in your body.

Hemoglobin (Hb)- Another important component of our body. It is an iron containig protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and organs. It also gives red blood cells their color. Its deficiency is most commonly due to reduced iron in diet or in its absorption from food.

Diagnosis: The Role of a Simple Blood Test

The great news is that diagnosing anemia is simple and economical. A simple complete blood count (CBC) test can reveal critical information about your blood. Among other parameters, this test measures:

• Hemoglobin levels: Helps diagnose & determine the severity of anemia.
• Hematocrit: The proportion of red blood cells in your blood.
• Red blood cell count: Indicates the number of RBCs circulating in your body.

If anemia is detected, your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to pinpoint the cause. These might include checking iron levels, vitamin B12, and folate levels, or investigating possible blood loss or chronic diseases.Serum iron profile may be advised for details into iron deficiency anemia.

Treatment of Anemia

The treatment of anemia is also simple in most cases. It includes increasing iron rich foods in diet such as green leafy vegetables, meats, lentils, dry fruits & nuts. It must be noted that plant sources are rich in iron but have much slower absorption.

Along with these your doctor may prescribe iron supplements for faster recovery. A host of options are available at all price points. You may also include foods that have been fortified with iron in your diet. Diet modification and improvement is necessary to avoid recurrence. A general supplement may be considered in case the diet is not having good variety.

If other causes of anemia have been found such as chronic blood loss , malabsorption, parasitic worm infestations etc. appropriate treatments are advised. These treatments are long and must be completed or followed through properly. For example hemorrhoids (piles) or menstrual disorders are a common cause of blood loss that may lead to anemia and require treatment.

Conclusion :-

Whether it’s a blood loss or haemoglobin deficiency, we should immediately consult the nearest doctor and get a full body checkup. CBC(Complete Body Count) test is an economical and quick test readily available.

Therefore, talk to your healthcare provider, get tested, and take the first step toward reclaiming your energy. Your body will thank you