Anemia

Anemia is a condition in that you have low number of  blood cells or low number of haemoglobin concentration within blood cells which makes your blood has lower cpacity to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues. You might feel tired, dizzy, hard to breath easier. 

Who is vulnerable to anemia?

According to WHO, it is estimated that 42% of children less than 5 years old and 40% of pregnant women are anemic worldwide. In 2019, global anemia prevalence was 29.9% in women of reproductive age, equivalent to over half a billion women aged 15-49 years. Prevalence was 29.6% in non-pregnant women of reproductive age and 36.5% in pregnant women.

Further, according to the China National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2013, the prevalence of anemia among children aged five years or younger was 11.6% in China, which 10.6% in urban areas, and 12.4% in rural areas. These data all show a high prevalence among young women and children. 

Why anemia?

There are different types of anemia. We will discuss three of them which are the most common.

Iron deficiency anemia

This is caused by a shortage of iron in your body. It is usually caused by blood loss such as from heavy menstrual bleeding, cancer of the large bowel; and regular use of some pain relievers that are available without a prescription, especially aspirin, which can cause inflammation of the stomach lining resulting in blood loss. 

Vitamin deficiency anemia

It is caused by a lack of vitamins which is essential for producing enough healthy red blood. A lack of vitamin diet might lead to this. Further, some people who do not consume enough B-12 might be unable to absorb enough vitamins. 

Anemia of inflammation 

It is usually caused by inflammatory diseases such as cancer, HIV, and kidney disease. These diseases would affect the production of red blood cells.

Risky factors

  • Diet lack of vitamins and several minerals: A consistent diet low in iron, vitamin B-12, folate, and copper will increase your risk of anemia.

  • Menstruation: It will cause loss of red blood cells.

  • Pregnancy: If you do not take enough multivitamins with folic acid and iron, it is riskier to cause anemia.

  • Age: People over age 65 are at increased risk of anemia.

Consequences on our bones

Having anemia will affect the gross appearance of your bones. It is usually visible in the skull. It will often cause a complete destruction of the outer table of the cranial vault (the top of the crania). It will result in coral-like appearance at the surface. Other than the cranial vault, it could also represent the orbital roofs. The coral-like appearance is usually  bilaterally symmetrical.

Why is there coral-like appearance?

Anaemic people have compensatory proliferation of the red bone marrow to encourage the generation of more mature red blood cells and hemoglobin. In order to fit the bone marrow, the bone marrow cavity widens, thickening the lamina cribrosa overall. As a result, the outer plate cortices are crushed and transformed into holes.

Preventions

Many types of anemia is caused by disease which is difficult to prevent. However, a healthy and nutritious diet is helpful in avoiding iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias.

What kinds of food are essential in our diet?

Iron-rich food: Meats (especially beef), beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables and dried fruit.

Food containing vitamin B-12: Meat, dairy products, and fortified cereal and soy products.

Vitamin C: You could consistently intake vitamin C products as well as citrus fruits and juices, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, melons and strawberries. These are helpful in iron absorption too

Folate: This nutrient is contained in fruits and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts, and enriched grain products, such as bread and rice. This is especially important for pregnant women.