Anemia

DEFINITION
Anemia is a condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells to meet the need of oxygen your body tissues. If you are affected by anemia, you will feel very weak. Anemia can be temporary or long and can vary from mild to severe.

If you are affected by anemia, it should immediately see your doctor because of anemia can be signs of serious illness. Treatment of anemia can be a supplement to medical treatment pemberin. You can prevent anemia by eating foods that are nutritious.


SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of anemia include:
• Weak
• Pale
• fast heartbeat or irregular
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in chest
• Dizziness
• Hands and feet were cold
• Headache

Causes & Risk Factors
Cause

Blood consists of plasma and cells. There are three types of blood cells:

• White blood cells (leukocytes). Blood cells are useful for fighting infection.
• Platelets / platelet. These blood cells help to freeze the blood when injured.
• White blood cells (erythrocytes). These red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs through the bloodstream to the brain and other organs and tissues. Supply of oxygen to the body requires to function. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin which is a protein that kayak with iron gives a red color.

Many blood cells are produced by the spinal cord. To be able to produce red blood cells and hemoglobin, your body needs iron, minerals, protein and other vitamins from the foods you eat.

Common cause of anemia
Anemia occurs when the body produces too few red blood cells, loses too many red blood cells or red blood cells more lethal than replace it. Some types of anemia and its causes are:

• Iron deficiency anemia. The cause of this type of anemia is iron deficiency in the body. Bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without enough iron, your body will not produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells.
• Vitamin deficiency anemia. In addition to iron, the body also requires folate and vitamin B-12 to produce enough red blood cells. Low dietary intake of these substances and other essential nutrients can lead to decreased production of red blood cells. In addition, some people can not effectively absorb vitamin B-12.
• Anemia of chronic disease. Certain chronic diseases, such as cancer and HIV / AIDS. Can affect the production of red blood cells, resulting in chronic anemia. Kidney failure can also cause anemia.
• Aplastic anemia. This species is very rare and is a life-threatening conditions. This is due to the reduced ability of bone marrow to produce all three types of blood cells. The cause is unknown.
• Anemias associated with bone marrow disease. Conditions such as leukemia and myelodysplasia may cause anemia leading to the production of blood in the spinal cord is reduced.
• Hemolytic anemias. This occurs when red blood cells were destroyed more quickly and spinal cord are not able to compensate by producing red blood cell substitute. Certain diseases such as disorders of the blood may be the cause. And autoimmune disorders of the body can cause the body to produce antibodies to red blood cells that destroy red blood cells.
• Sickle cell anemia. This type of anemia is caused by a defect form of hemoglobin that makes red blood cells are formed like a sickle. These red blood cells die prematurely and lead to chronic conditions lack of red blood cells.
• Another anemia. This type of anemia is different from the others, such as thalassemia and anemia caused by hemoglobin disability.

Risk factors

Some factors that may increase the chance of anemia include:
• Low intake of nutrients in food.
• Health problems of the small intestine or operations related to the small intestine.
• Menstruation.
• Pregnancy.
• Chronic conditions such as cancer, kidney failure or liver failure.
• Heredity.

Certain infections such as blood and autoimmune disorders, exposed to toxic chemicals, and use some drugs that affect the production of red blood cells and cause anemia.

Another risk is diabetes, alcohol and people who become vegetarians are less stringent and the intake of iron or vitamin B-12 on food.

Prevention

Many types of anemia can not be prevented. But you can help prevent iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias with healthy foods that contain:

• Iron. Can be found in meat. Another type is nuts, colored dark green vegetables, dried fruit, and others.
• Folate. Can be found in oranges, bananas, dark green vegetables, nuts kavangan, cereals and pasta.
• Vitamin B-12. Vitamin is abundant in meat and milk.
• Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps iron absorption. Foods that contain vitamin C include citrus, melons and berries.

Foods that contain iron is important for those who need such high iron in children, menstruating women and pregnant women. Adequate iron intake is also important for babies, vegetarians and athletes.