Anemia and natural remedies
- Posted on 18/10/2022 15:44
- Film
- By abelozih@sante-education.tg
Extract from the article: Anaemia is a recurrent condition in children and pregnant women. It is defined by an abnormally low haemoglobin level. There are several types of anaemia with different symptoms. What are the causes, symptoms and treatments for anaemia?
Anaemia is a recurrent condition in children and
pregnant women. It is defined
by an abnormally low haemoglobin level. There are several types
of anaemia with different symptoms. What are the causes, symptoms
and treatments for anaemia?
Anaemia is a widespread public health problem, with
major negative consequences both for human health and for economic and social
development. According to the results of the EDST-III 2013-2014, in Togo, seven
out of ten children aged 6-59 months (70%) are considered to have anaemia, most
of them in a moderate form (42%).
What is anaemia?
Anemia is a reduction in the quality or quantity of
red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells are used to transport oxygen in
the blood. There are several types of anaemia. The most common is iron
deficiency anaemia, linked to a lack of iron. In reality, there are two main
types of anaemia: firstly, central anaemia, which is linked to
insufficient production of red blood cells and haemoglobin by the bone marrow.
Then there are peripheral anaemias : the production of red blood cells
is normal, but the rate then drops for a particular reason, which may be due to
haemolysis or destruction of the blood cells, or haemorrhage.
The causes of anaemia
There are many causes of
anaemia, but the main one is a nutritional deficiency of iron, which is
essential for the production and proper functioning of haemoglobin.There may
also be a deficiency of certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 or B9 (folic
acid).Apart from iron deficiency, it can also be caused by kidney disease,
inflammatory disease, bone marrow malfunction, drug treatment or repeated
bleeding. Women who have heavy periods are often affected, as are pregnant
women, especially at the end of pregnancy, as their iron requirements are
greater due to the growth of the foetus and the placenta.
How do you recognise
anaemia?
Most people are unaware
that they are suffering from anaemia, as the majority suffer from mild anaemia
with no significant symptoms. Depending on the severity of the case, the
symptoms will be more or less intense, but the same signs are noticeable: tiredness,
a pale complexion, an accelerated heart rate, rapid breathlessness, cold
extremities, headaches, dizziness, being easily prone to infections, pain in
the body or visual disturbances in the most serious cases.
The only sure way of
detecting anaemia is to have blood tests carried out to assess the haemoglobin
level in the blood: a haemogram.
Treatment
Treatment of anaemia always
depends on the cause.In the case of iron or vitamin deficiency, the cause of
the deficiency needs to be identified and supplementation in the form of
tablets taken.In the case of a particular illness, the illness needs to be treated
and supplements taken.In the case of heavy periods, there are hormone
treatments to reduce the symptoms. In the case of acquired or non-congenital
haemolytic anaemia, there are drug treatments. In the case of severe anaemia,
the only solutions are often blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants,
depending on the cause.In all cases, always seek medical advice as soon as
the above symptoms appear.
Recipe to combat anaemia in
pregnant women: Here's a natural remedy to help you stay
healthy and enjoy your pregnancy. 1 red apple, 2 guavas, 1 spoonful of
honey, 1 glass of water. Wash the fruit well. Cut the apple
without removing the skin. Cut the guavas in half and remove the pulp.
Place the fruit in a blender. Add the honey and the glass of water
and blend. Filter and drink the juice morning and after lunch. In
addition to this remedy, eat fish, tomato juice, eggs, cereals and drink orange
juice.
Recipe for mild anaemia:
Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with the juice of a grapefruit and an egg yolk. Drink
once a day for 1 week.
Elom AKAKPO
