ANAEMIA (Pandu Roga, Rakta alpata, under-nutrition)

Anemia 

“Anemia is easily prevented than corrected”!

Anemia occurs when patient's red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen to the body tissue. A deficiency most commonly caused by a lack of iron, which is an essential part of hemoglobin (in female Hb > 12 and male Hb >13 ) the protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells.

                 Lemon juice cures anemia, joint pain, bleeding oral diseases and scurvy.

Waking up and going through the day with low energy levels? Not in a mood to get up or go to work? Or every time you climb a flight of steps you feel exhausted? Do your skin looks pale? Do you have excessive hair fall? Are your nails constantly breaking? Don’t take these symptoms lightly. These, in reality, are signals or warning signs. It’s possible that you are suffering from Anemia. It is among the most common diseases affecting human beings.

Anemia is quite common in infants as well as older children. This possibility should be kept in mind if there is a sudden change  in the behavior of the  child or if he starts falling ill too frequently.

The word ‘Anemia’ actually comes from the word ‘Mia’ which means blood. Anemia means a low hemoglobin level in the blood. Low hemoglobin leads to decreased oxygen carrying capacity.  Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells. It helps red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

It is called Pandu Roga in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, it is caused by improper diet, weak gastric fire, malnutrition, worms, loss of blood and eating soil. All such factors cause the production of ama (toxins) in the stomach which then blocks the channels of rasa dhatu. This results in paleness and other symptoms of Anemia.

India has the highest prevalence of iron deficiency Anemia in the world, and women are more prone to the disease than men. Anemia is actually a sign of disease process rather than a disease itself.

Anemia is an important public health problem, especially iron deficiency anemia which is considered to be the main contributing factor to the global burden of disease, affecting 2 billion people. A fiber diet is probably the most important consideration in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids. A fiber diet is probably the most important consideration in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids. A fiber diet is probably the most important consideration in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids . A fiber diet is probably the most important consideration in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids.

  

This condition is common in women due to monthly blood loss during the menstrual cycle and in patients having bleeding piles or any other condition that causes blood loss. 

Iron deficiency Anemia manifests due to insufficient amounts of iron in the body, this is the widespread type of anemia among people irrespective of age and sex concerning 20% of women, 50% of pregnant women and 3 % of men are commonly iron deficient.

"Low Hemoglobin + Covid 19 leads to complications. So keep your hemoglobin  normal.

Introduction

Anemia is defined as a decrease in total volume of blood or hemoglobin or a deficiency in red blood cells or both. The blood flowing in our veins and arteries is a living tissue. Nearly half of it consists of red blood cells which carry oxygen to the tissue. Approximately one trillion (10,000 million) new blood cells are formed in the bone marrow daily. The raw materials required in the production of these cells are iron, protein, vitamin, and Folic acid.

The red coloring matter, called hemoglobin is a protein which is composed of an organic iron compound called “heme”. The globulin is a Sulphur bearing protein which makes the 96% of the molecule. The formation of hemoglobin thus depends on adequate dietary supplies of iron and protein. Red cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days and are destroyed and replaced daily.  Each person should have 100% hemoglobin and a blood count of 5 million red cells per millimeter. A drop in the hemoglobin content results in Anemia

Iron is absorbed from the intestinal tract as needed Copper is also essential for the utilization of iron in the building of hemoglobin. Anemia is a low hemoglobin due to a decreased red cell mass. If the low Hb is due to dilution from an increased plasma volume (as occurs in pregnancy), the anemia is called physiological.

Women have natural reasons for blood loss due to menstruation. Anemia develops gradually after the common stores of iron have been exhausted in the body and in the bone marrow. Generally, women have lesser stores of iron than men. Anemia is caused in men and postmenopausal women due to gastrointestinal blood loss associated with ulcers, use of aspirin or non- steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or colon cancer.

Even though the iron content of foods we consume may be high, “the iron absorption is dependent on whether it is heme iron ( from animal food) or non-heme iron (present in plants foods). Heme iron (animal food is easily absorbed by the body as compared  to a vegetarian diet which has a low level of absorption (2-5 percent)" Non-nutritional factors like tea, whole grains, phytates, (whole grains, bran), calcium supplements, antacids and excessive use of zinc supplement have been found to interfere with iron absorption
          
                                                       

Iron

Iron prevents anemia but is a very difficult digest.  Anemia is often caused by weak digestion, so eating more iron is often not enough. Its daily requirement is 27 mg. Anemia is usually classified as either chronic or acute.

Types of Anemia

●     Iron Deficiency Anemia (microcytic) Most common is due to decrease in the amount of RBC (red blood cells) or decrease in the capacity of red blood cells to transport oxygen.

●     Hemolytic Anemia Due to excessive red cells destruction is called hemolytic Anemia.

●     Pernicious Anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) due to lack of intrinsic factor (Crohn's disease), stomach surgery or strict vegetarian diet.

●     Folic acid deficiency Anemia It is abundant in green leafy vegetables. Found in malnourished individuals (especially alcoholics)

●     Aplastic Anemia due to autoimmune disease.
*     Sickle cell Anemia

“A liberal intake of iron can go a long way in prevention iron deficiency Anemia”

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency  is the most commonest cause and is common even in children from well to do families.

Symptoms

Mild iron deficiency anemia  may not produce any obvious symptoms. But Anemia, if untreated, makes a child irritable., causes loss of appetite, tiredness, make him inattentive  at school, and prone to recurrent infections. The child's performance at school may suffer. Treatment with iron may dramatically improve his behavior and general condition. Some of the causes of brain strokes may also be associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is common  between the age of 9 to 24 months, and is evident in most of children around their first birthday. Children given animal milk are likely candidates even at an earlier age. Anemia in older children, including adolescent, should be kept in mind  in presence of symptoms.

However these symptoms may also occur due to other reasons. For instance, a child who is 'not eating well'  may want to feed himself  or may be rebelling just  because he is being forced to eat. A  child with 'bad character may have unfavorable  circumstances  at home or at school.

When anemia is suspected notice the color of the skin , the conjunctive of the eye, the tongue , and the palm,  and the nails for pallor. Unfortunately the pallor in the skin and mucus membrane may become evident only when the hemoglobin levels falls well below the normal (11 gram or more) Again remember that a pale looking skin is a common feature in children who are fair  and are kept mostly indoors.

Treatment

An iron deficiency anemia is the commonest cause of anemia, doctors often ask for 

complete blood count (CBC) only to diagnose it. The hemoglobin of such patient  is lower than normal and the red cells are found to be hypochromic (pale looking) and microcytic (smaller than normal size). The mean hemoglobin between 6 months and 6 years is 12 g /dl (with a normal range of  10.5-14) and between 7-12 years , it is 13 g/dl  with a normal range of 11 to 16. The patients is given oral iron in adequate  dosage and the blood test is repeated  after completion of course. The blood picture should return to normal. If not , we conclude that either the child was not given  the medicine regularly  or the diagnosis need to be reconsidered. The diagnosis of iron deficiency can be confirmed by doing some further test.

The total amount of iron  is to be divided in 2 to  3 doses  per day and given in between meals. The medicines must be continued  for 2 months after the hemoglobin level returns to normal. Milk hinders the absorption of iron with meals. Tea, Cereals can also interfere  with the absorption of iron. However, vitamin C helps in the absorption, so give your child  a citrus fruit or fruit juice after medication.

When iron is administered, it may temporarily stain the teeth grayish black. To avoid this , place the medicine on the tongue  and give the child a little water after the dose. If possible, brush the teeth after each dose. Since some iron is excreted  with the stools, they may also be dark in color.

When given iron, some children may get constipated while others may get 2-3 loose stools. These symptoms should be ignored. If they persist, try reducing the dose a little(say 7.5 ml / day in place of 10 ml) or try another iron preparation. Please note that any iron preparation can upset the bowel. However while a particular patient may not tolerate  a certain preparation, he may accept another preparation without any side effects.

Children do not tolerate oral iron or those who cannot take  it regularly for any reasons e.g.  they are traveling or sometimes given iron injections.

Prevention

Apart from exclusively  breastfeeding the child  for about 6 months, and continuing breast feeding  into the second year , fruits and vegetables, and home made soft foods should be added to the child's diet at 6 months of age. Food items that should be specially kept  in mind are leafy vegetables, green yellow vegetables, fruits, ragi, (nachni) tomatoes, raisins, red beans and unpeeled tomatoes. Non- vegetarians  can include meat, liver, egg and fish in the diet. Babies born prematurely  are given iron in medicinal form from the age of 6 weeks.

In a study  from Ethiopia , lower rate of Anemia  were found in children  fed food  from iron pots than  in children  where food was cooked in aluminium pot.

Anemia due to Goat's Milk

Goat's milk deficient in folic acid. This deficiency can also result in anemia.

Treatment

These children need folic acid. Quite a few iron medicines also contain folic acid.

Pica

Pica (eating mud, wall scrapings, paper etc.) can also interfere with absorption of iron.

Treatment

Oral iron and deworming.

Hookworm Anemia

Hookworms, acquired while walking barefoot on a field contaminated with the ova and larvae of hookworms, can also cause anemia. The larvae hatch  and penetrate the skin of the feet. Adult hookworm hook themselves to the upper intestines and suck blood. The eggs of the worms are excreted in the stools.

Treatment

People infected with hookworms should be instructed not to walk barefoot and should be treated for eradicating hookworms from the system. Very often, these people have iron deficiency and need treatment for the same.

                          "Lead poisoning can cause anemia ".

Other Causes Of Anemia

Though rare, certain other causes of anemia should also kept in mind: Anemia in a new born due to blood group incompatibility (jaundice), excessive bleeding at any age,, infections certain drugs and serious diseases like leukemia.(cancer)

A serious type  of anemia due to vitamin B 12 deficiency can occur  in breastfed babies whose mothers are on a strict vegan diet.

G 6 PD Deficiency

It is appropriate here to mention a type of anemia that may occur due to excessive breakdown of red blood cells  (R.B.C) deficient in an enzyme called G-6-PD. Its deficiency is seen in about 5% of the Indian population. It is more common in communities like the Parsis, Sindhis, Punjabis, Bhanushalis and Lohanas. If severe, the condition can present  soon after birth or may appear later due to toxic effects of drugs on these G-6-PD deficient red cells.

Management

The simple test is carried out to detect this deficiency. Children with this diagnosis should avoid drugs like paracetamol, Sulphur, certain  anti-malaria's like primaquine, nitrofurantoin, and furazolidone (prescribed for urinary tract infection and gastro- intestinal infections respectively), the water soluble form of vitamin K  and chloramphenicol.

Conditioned That Can Be confused With Iron Deficiency Anemia

Symptoms of iron deficiency can sometimes  be seen in children with lead poisoning secondary to application of surma  to the eyes  and in the children with pica mentioned earlier. Surma may contain  high levels of lead. In markets sample studied in MUMBAI , it was found that most had high levels of lead varying from 20 % to 80%.

While discussing iron deficiency anemia, we should familiarize ourselves with a condition called 'Thalassemia  minor' As with iron deficiency anemia, children with these condition  also have microcytic, hypochromic type of anemia. In absence of iron deficiency these children do not need medication. This is a hereditary condition acquired from one of the parents. It does not harm the child. But if such a child marries a person 

 having 'thalassemia minor' , their offspring can suffer  from a serious disease called 'Thalassemia major'. The risk of such disease is higher in children  of couples who share  the same ancestors. (as in a consanguineous marriage). The diagnosis of thalassemia  is made  by doing a special test  for measuring a different types  of hemoglobin's present in the blood.

Cause

●     Nutritional Deficiency like adequate intake of iron, Vitamin B12, Foliate,

●  Blood loss due to any cause such as piles, menstrual bleeding, hemorrhages, ulcer, surgeries, or injury can bring blood loss. 

●   Iron deficiency in children ,pregnant women,  and women in their child bearing years, and at the time of menopause.

●    Deficiency of Vitamin B 12 and Vitamin C

●     Reduced or low formation of red blood cells due to defects in the bone marrow.

●     A lack of digestive acid (H.C.L) needed for digestion of iron and proteins.

●     Chronic diseases like tuberculosis, cancer, Crohn's disease, kidney disease etc.

●     Worm infestation hookworm, tapeworm.

●     Poor digestion, chronic diarrhea , malabsorption, nutritional deficiency, delayed weaning and late introduction of solid food. 

●     Inadequate intake and absorption of iron from cereal-based diet, inadequate consumption of green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits,

●     Consumption of refined foods.

●     Frequent pregnancies with shorter intervals

●     High prevalence of infections

●     Erythropoietin or E.P.O  a hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow can result in Anemia

●     Pregnancy, Pica - Eating mud, wall scrapping, kalam etc.

●     Poor hygiene is a major cause of Anemia because it prevents the absorption nutrition.

●     Low awareness, illiteracy and the practice of putting family before self when it comes to care are factors that often deter women in India from taking proper nutrition and care for themselves leading to anemia.

●   Certain medication : like Anti-tubercular drugs, antibiotics.

●     Vegan diet.

●   Consumption of goat milk

●   Newborn with blood group incompatibility (jaundice)

Bleeding from any site

●  G 6 P.D Deficiency : In Indian population it is more common in communities like the Parsis, Sindhis, Punjabis, Bhanushalis and Lohanas.

●  As in a consanguineous marriage)

Causes of iron deficiency Anemia
*   Not taking a balanced diet and inadequate intake of iron through food.
*    Heavy menstrual bleeding and blood loss during childbirth.
*    Excessive blood loss such as in stools due to hemorrhoids , stomach ulcers. polyps etc.
*    Sometimes lack of vitamin C in the diet can reduce the body's ability to absorb iron.

“Adolescent girls, Pregnant women and Older women are at risk of iron deficiency Anemia”

Sign & Symptoms

Symptoms can be mild or severe :

●     Fatigue, 

●     Cold hands & feet.

●     Pale skin and fingernails, lips and earlobes

●     Shortness of breath, fainting

●     Hair fall, Premature wrinkles, itchy feeling

●     Swelling of face, feet all over the body

●     Pica, that is desire to eat mud

●     Palpitation of heart, irregular heartbeat

●     A headache and dizziness

●     Stunted growth in young girls

●     Reduced work capacity, fatigue, irritability, leg cramps, chest pain

●     Coldness in your hands and feet, chest pain, weakness, and fatigue (tiredness)

●     Tachycardia increase in heart rate

●     Poor memory, lack of energy

●     Slow healing of wounds, recurrent infections, and delayed mental development.
*     Birth of a weak and low birth weight babies.
*     Stomatitis : Sores or ulcers at the corner of the mouth
*   Missed menstruation in women who are in their reproductive years.

Diagnosis

●     Complete blood count (CBC)
*    Blood test: The average level of hemoglobin in adult females is between 12 to 16g while in adult males it is between 14 to 18 g? A low Hb is < 13.5 g for men and < 11 g for women.

●     Endoscopy to rule out peptic ulcer

●     Ultrasound for fibroid

“Anemic women are prone to infections and may need blood transfusions during pregnancy”

Complication

●     Repeated infections due to decreased resistance of the body.

●     Heart failure may occur.

●     Preterm labor.

●     Low birth weight baby.

●     Excessive bleeding during labor

●     Postpartum depression

●     Intrauterine death of a baby may occur

●     A child born of Anemic women often remain underdeveloped with poor immunity.

Iron Utensil

Lifestyle

● Take vitamin rich foods like oranges, tomatoes, Amla, lemon etc., to enhance iron absorption.

●   Bottle gourd juice.

Bottle guard Juice

●     Cook food in iron utensils and avoid too much cooking.

●     Include more fresh fruits, vegetables, pulses and whole grains.

●     Sprinkle sesame seeds over yoghurt, breakfast cereals or salads.

●     Include soy, seaweeds in soups and stir fry

●     Infants should be breastfed for first six months.

●     Start eating healthy food during prenatal period itself.

●     If you're non-vegetarian include eggs.

● Make sure you drink enough milk but avoid drinking milk immediately after iron supplements calcium may interrupt iron absorption.

Pranayama

Bhastrika

●     Or (Deep breathing) Inhalation followed by exhalation. Increases oxygen supply to all parts of the body, thus improving blood circulation.
Anulom Vilom

Alternate Nose Breathing - Nadi Shodhan  / Anolom

 Vilom अनुलोम विलोम

                       

Nadi is a Sanskrit word meaning “channel” or “flow” and shodhana means “purification.” Therefore, nadi shodhana is primarily aimed at clearing and purifying the subtle channels of the mind-body organism, while balancing its masculine and feminine aspects. 

Nadi is a tubular organ of the body like an artery or a vein for the passage of Prana or energy. A nadi has three layers like an insulated electric pipe wire. The innermost layer is called sira, the  the middle layer Damani and the entire organ as well as the outer layer is called nadi.

Sodhana meaning purifying or cleansing, so the object of Nadi Sodhana Pranayama is the purification of nerves. A little obstruction in a water pipe  can cut off the supply completely. A little obstruction in the nerve  can cause great discomfort and paralysis of a limb or organ.

The Nadi Shodhan Pranayama calms and centers the mind by bringing into harmony the left and right hemispheres of the brain which correlate to the logical and emotional sides of our personality. The right nostril represents the Ida nadi and is connected with the left brain. The left nostril represents the Pingala nadi and is connected with the right hemisphere of the brain. When we breathe through the alternate nostril in a specific pattern, it brings the balance between both hemispheres of the brain. Nadi shodhan is clearly a yogi's delight for its instant calming effect.

Process :

•  Sit comfortably in an erect position. Keep the head, neck and the spine straight.
•  Rest the left hand on the left knee.
•  Close the right nostril with the tip of right thumb.
• Now breath out slowly through the left nostril.
• Keeping the right nostril closed breathe in slowly and deeply through the left nostril.
• Now close the left nostril with ring finger and little finger of the right hand  and slowly breathe out through the right nostril.
• Now keeping the right nostril still closed, breathe in through the right nostril.
• This completes one entire round of Anuloma -  Viloma.
• Repeat the entire process
• Remember that breathing in and breathing out  should be done very slowly without any noise

One complete cycle of nadi shodhan Pranayama. Here the rhythm of breathing is as follows:

• a Exhale through the right nostril.
• b Inhale through the right nostril.
• c Exhale through the left nostril.
• d  Inhale through the left nostril.
• e Exhale through the the right nostril
• f Inhale through the right nostril.
• g Exhale through the left nostril.
• h Inhale through the left nostril
• i Exhale through the right nostril
• j Inhale through the right nostril...and so on 

Benefits

• Infuses the body with oxygen
• Clears and releases toxins
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Calms and rejuvenates the nervous system
• Helps to balance hormones
• Supports clear and balanced respiratory channels
• Helps to alleviate respiratory allergies that cause hay fever, sneezing, or wheezing
• Balances solar and lunar, masculine and feminine energies
• Fosters mental clarity and an alert mind
• Enhances the ability to concentrate
• Brings balance to the left and right hemispheres of the brain

Effect

The blood receives a larger supply of oxygen in Nadi Sodhana than in normal breathing, so that one feels refreshed and the nerves are calmed and purified. The mind becomes still and lucid.

Caution

• Persons suffering from high blood pressure or heart trouble should never attempt to hold their breath (kumbhaka).They can practice Nadi Sodhana Pranayama without retention (kumbhaka) with beneficial effect.
• Person suffering from low blood pressure can do this pranayama with retention after inhalation (antara kumbhaka) only with beneficial effect.

                                            

Channels or Nadis

●     Place the thumb by your right nostril and your ring and little fingers by your left.

●     Inhale through the left nostril, closing the right with the thumb.

●     Exhale through the right nostril, closing the left with the ring and little fingers.

●     Reverse the process with another nostril.

Kapal Bhatti

Take lotus Yogic position. Then take short breaths in and out with force. Kapal bhati controls breathing and increases the oxygen level in the blood, thus increasing body capacity and the lung capacity.

Ujjayi Pranayama

●     Or (Hissing breath) Ujjayi or The “loud breathing” consists of drawing air in through both nostrils with the glottis held partially closed. This partial closure of the glottis produces a sound like that heard in sobbing, except that it is continuous and unbroken.

●     In this pranayama partially close the back of your throat, which covers the windpipe so that as you inhale and exhale through your nose

●     The air passes through a narrow air passage in your throat, creating the sound made by your breath.

Surya Bheda pranayama

●     Sit in Padmasana or Siddhasana.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your right nostril, your left nostril shut with your ring finger and little finger.

●     Next, close your right nostril with the thumb of your right hand. and then exhale through your left nostril, keeping your right nostril closed.

“Vitamin C increases iron absorption and calcium hampers it”.

Yoga

●   Regular practice of different yoga poses increases the RBC production as well as purifies the blood.

 ●      Seated Forward Bend Pose Pachimotanasana (पश्चिमोतान)
                                             

                     

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand pose)

● Shoulder Stand pose   Sarvangasana  ( सर्वांगासन  )    
                                         

   

●     Lie down fixed on your back in the Shavasana–The Corpse Pose

●     Breathe in through your nostrils slowly and put your palms facing in downward direction flat on the floor. Holding the hips fixed on the floor slowly curve your knees and get them upward towards the abdomen through breathing out

●     Breathe in by the nostrils, pressing your hand in downward direction try to raise your body from the waistline upwardly away from the floor, curving the backbone backwards and unbending the arms, your hips should be on the floor

●    Breathe in, and then whilst breathing out, raise your legs directly upward perpendicular to the floor. You can support your hips with your hands making sure that your legs should be united, knees straight and toes pointed straight up

●     Keep your head straight, don’t turn it to any side.
The chin should be compressed against the chest.

●     Holding the posture for a while breathe softly through the nostrils.

Shavasana– The Corpse Pose

●   Copse Pose Savasana (शवासन)

●     Savasana  You lie down on your back and relax your body and mind. During the pose, you close your eyes breathe naturally and practice eliminating tension from the body. It relaxes all the muscle.

Pachimotanasana

●     In the seated position, extend your legs out in front of your toes pointed up.

●     Inhale raising your arms above your head. Now exhale, reaching your toes, ankles, or calves.

●     Bending your knees if necessary, gently press the crown of your head towards your toes as you breathe deeply.

Uttanapada

●     Lie down in Savasana, legs together, hands by the side of your body, palms facing the floor.

●  Now start raising your legs and hold them at 30 degrees. Continue normal deep breathing. With right leg up, the left foot starts travelling down slowly, till the left heel touches the floor.

●   Start raising your left foot till it joins your right foot at 30 degrees. Now left leg remains up and right foot starts travelling down till the right heel touches the floor. Relax.

●   Now start raising your right foot till it joins your left foot, knees straight toes outstretched and slowly bring both feet down till both heels touch the floor and relax.

Viparita-karani-mudra

●     Redirects the flow of blood from feet to heart with pull of gravity for detoxification

●     Come into the pose from Salamba Sarvangasana. Bending at the hips, bring the feet overhead.

●     Keeping the chest wide and the shoulders grounded, drop the hips down behind you.

●     Slide the hands down the back towards the buttocks for support.

●     Bring the legs back to vertical if possible.
Hold the pose for 20 to 30 seconds.

●  Either continue on with other Sarvangasana variations or return to Salamba Sarvangasana and come down out of the pose, using the arms to control yourself as you roll down through the back

●     Slide off the blankets towards the head until the shoulders come to the floor and the hips are raised on the blankets. Rest there for a few breaths.

Exercise

●     Daily walking for half an hour.

●     Jogging, swimming, cycling are good exercises.

Chakra

●Manipur chakra or Navel chakra: It corresponds to solar plexus. Concentrate on this chakra. As this chakra is responsible for digestion and assimilation. It helps in transformation of food into energy. It is situated at the level of the umbilicus.

                    "Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent more serious complications."

Mudra

●     Prithvi Mudra

●     Formation - Join the tip of the ring finger with the tip of the thumb.

●     Varun Mudra or Jala Vardhak Mudra

●     Formation - This Mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and the little finger.

●     Prana Mudra or Kapha kaarak Mudra

●     Formation The tip of little fingers and ring fingers are joined with the tips of the thumbs. It increases stamina, vitality, strength and immunity.

“Iron deficiency is often associated with the  insufficient intake of right kind of food”

Diet

●     Iron is plenty in red meat, liver, raisins, spinach, broccoli and egg yolks.

●     Non-vegetarian food such as red meat, liver, poultry, fish and seafood.

●  Vegetables Green leafy vegetables choulai, spinach, mustard leaves, turnip green, bathua, celery, lettuce, cauliflower, lady’s finger, radish leaves. dill (soya) leaves greens, lotus Stem, beans, beetroot, pumpkin, mushrooms, soybeans

●     Garlic can help can get rid of intestinal parasites.

●     Fresh Papaya and grated raw carrot are also effective.

Bottle Guard / Lauki Juice

It gives Energy.  it has  carbohydrates, protein, dietary fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorous, manganese, and magnesium are just a few of the nutrients found in Lauki Juice. Surprisingly, it contains very little fat and zeroes cholesterol.

●     Drumstick leaves are rich in iron.

● Kundru eaten as a vegetable throughout the country. It is good for anemia and worm infestation.

●  Fruits like figs, almonds, cashew, pista , mulberry, watermelon, pomegranates, jamun, apples, strawberries, pineapple, orange, lemon, guava, berries, cherries, peaches, apricots.

●  Sugarcane It contains 9  milligrams of iron per kg. Its product like jaggery is another alternative.

●    Amla in form of fresh fruit, churana, chatani, chawanprash ,candies can be eaten.

●    Jaggery

Anemia is a condition in which the red blood cells or the hemoglobin is less than normal. Jaggery prevents anemia due to the presence of high iron content in it. Iron helps in blood production, thereby providing healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. This helps transfer sufficient oxygen in the blood from the lungs to various body tissue

●     Dates, almonds Eaten as soaked dried fruit.

 

●     Amla in form of fresh fruit, churana, chatani, chawanprash ,candies can be eaten.

●      Drink a mixture of tomato and apple juice.
●    Sugarcane juice is good for anemia.

●     Sprouted pulse like Kala Chana, soybeans, lentils and wheat are rich in iron and vitamin C.

●   Vitamin B12 usually found in animal proteins, i.e. meat, kidney and liver. Dairy products like milk, eggs and cheese, peanuts. Wheat germ and soybeans etc.

●     Oil - sesame oil

●  Seeds Sunflower seeds, Nuts, ground black sesame, pumpkin seeds. Cashew  because of its richness in dietary iron and vitamin B thiamine
                                         

                                                                     Black Sesame    
●    Kalonji Onion seeds are rich in iron therefore good for Anemia .
                                                             

                                                            Onion seeds or Kalonji  कलोंजी 

● Honey-  It helps in increasing the hemoglobin in the blood.

● Ragi Battles Anemia: Ragi (नाचनी in marathi) is an excellent source of natural iron and thus a boon for anemic patients and also for those with low hemoglobin levels.
                                                

●  Diet rich in Folate or Folic acid includes cereals, green leafy vegetables, dried beans, Asparagus, citrus fruits. Papaya, berries, mushroom, corn, carrot, cauliflower, brinjal.

●   Diet rich in vitamin C is lemon, orange, ,Amla , grapefruit, strawberries, kiwi, cabbage, baked potato, tomato with skin and bell peppers. These are necessary for absorption of iron.

●     Tamarind इमली is good source of iron.

*      Dark chocolate, whole grain bread can be good source of iron from food.

“Meat diet is associated with a high hemoglobin and high red cell count”

Avoid

●   Refined food like white bread, polished rice, sugar and desserts. It rob the body of the much-needed iron.

●     Avoid carbonated beverages. They prevent absorption of iron

●     Tea and coffee inhibit the absorption of iron.

●     Avoid taking iron and calcium tab together.

●     Avoid excessive intake of alkaline, sour, salty, too hot, incompatible food.

●     Avoid Palak paneer combination, as iron calcium don't go together.

●     Avoid fried foods and food rich in fat

“Take sugarcane juice to avoid Anemia”.

Herbs

●    Curry leaves are a good source of iron.

●  Fenugreek Methi is effective in Anemia. 4 grams of methi soaked overnight, if taken every day, seems to improve Anemic conditions.

●  Punarnava ( Hogweed) Though the whole plant is used, medicinally the most important part is root.

●  Amalaki or Amla fruit also called Indian gooseberry. It's greatly nourishing. Powder of amalaki taken along with honey alleviates Anemia .

●    Shatavari  It is considered both a general tonic and a female reproductive tonic.

●    Cumin seeds are rich in iron

Home Remedies

●   Chyawanprash

● Take two tsp of fenugreek seeds and cook them with one cup of rice. Eat it with a little salt, regularly. It helps to augment hemoglobin in Anemia . Or take 4 grams of fenugreek every day.

●  Dissolve ¼ tsp cinnamon powder and two tsp honey in one cup pomegranate juice and drink.

●    Have a bowlful of pomegranate, with a dressing of one tsp of lime juice for breakfast.

●    Soak 10 - 12 raisins in water and leave them overnight, have them in the morning.

●    Have a glassful of carrot juice mixed with 1 tsp of lime juice once a day.

● Have ½ bowlful of a boiled black gram (Kala Chana) with a dressing of chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumber and lime juice. Add roasted cumin powder and rock salt to taste. 

●     A churned drink prepared from the juice of sugarcane and Amla is beneficial.

●     1 cup beetroot juice, 1 cup apple juice, mixed with sugar or honey is useful.

●     Take lots of sea foods, liver, egg yolk, chickpeas, green peas, broccoli, raisins

●   Take a cup of beetroot juice and a cup of apple juice with honey or sugar  This speeds up R.B.C production

●     Tomato juice with till.

●     Eat a ripe banana with two teaspoon honey twice a day

●     Eat Indian gooseberry (Amla) or orange. These fruits help speed up iron absorption

●     Drink a cup of tomato juice mixed with apple juice

●     Take honey. It has easily digestible and absorb able minerals, especially iron.

●     Juice of onion contains iron, therefore it is beneficial in treating Anemia. 

●     Green Coriander Chutney

●   Iron-rich drink - ½ cup raisins, ¼ cup dried apricots or peaches,1 cup water,1-2 pinch of dry ginger. Soak raisins and dried fruits overnight in water. Next morning blend soaked fruit and water in a blender. If needed garnish with a pinch of ginger.

●   Beetroot and carrot juices combined build the red corpuscles, tone up the blood generally and help in treating low vitality and anemia.

●     Spinach or Palak soup

●    Whatgrass juice is good for Anemia. It contains iron, calcium, magnesium, phytonutrients,17 amino acids, vitamin A,C,E,K and B complex, chlorophyll and proteins.

Green Blood

●     Pomegranate lemonade - pomegranate, lemon and sugar.

●     Methi paratha along with green coriander and Amla chutney

●     Grapes Juice or raisins (dried grapes) 10-15 overnight and have them in the morning.
   

"Caution: Take iron preparation under your physician's guidance. Iron supplements can cause irritation and constipation"

“A proper diet is the key factor for the prevention of Anemia”

Treatment

●      It is also essential to maintain a healthy diet to ensure that the body has the necessary nutrients to make healthy red blood cells.

●   The treatment of anemia depends on the cause. if the cause is nutritional deficiency ,make dietary changes. it is neccessary to provide the body with the essential nutrients, Iron supplements can also be prescribed. 

●       If the anemia is due to blood loss, than the source of bleeding must be identified and treated.

●      For chronic conditions treatment of the underlying conditions may be neccessary.

●     Mild to moderate cases of iron deficiency can be treated with iron supplements or dietary changes .

●     Iron Deficiency Anaemia Iron tab along with  vitamin C

●     Inj Imferon 2 ml/ on alternate days IM for 10 days.

●     Blood transfusion in a severe loss.

●     De -worming for worm infestation.

●     Chyawanprash and Amla churana are a good source of iron.
                                         

                                              
                                                                       

   

●    Packed cell transfusion whenever Hb drops below  6g in severe cases.

●    Platelet transfusion if the platelet count falls below 20,000/c mm or life-threatening bleeding sets in.

●    Blood transfusion in the severe loss.

●     Megaloblastic Anaemia

●     Vitamin B 12 deficiency Inj Hydroxocobalamin

●     1000 mg

●     Foliage deficiency Tab Folic acid 5 mg daily

●     Aplastic Anaemia Inj Deca Durabolin 25 mg IM once a week.

●     Tab prednisolone

●     Wheat grass juice therapy is good for Anemia

●     Taking Coriander juice with equal honey twice daily has been found very promising

● Ayurvedic Preparation Dhatri loha, punarnava mandir, Navapada churana, and pradrantaka loha.

●     Massage also helps to keep the blood level high.

●     Sun bath helps in production of red cells.

●     A cold water bath is good for Anemia

“Anemia - Pump some iron”

Link: https://madhuchhandacdmo.blogspot.com/2017/11/anaemia-pandu-roga-rakta-alpata-under.html

* Medicine as suggested above should only be taken under the consultation and supervision of registered medical practitioner.