Anemia may be defined as a condition in which there is a decrease in the quantity of hemoglobin or in the number of red blood cells. It is one of the most common ailments affecting the human beings.

Nearly half the blood flowing in our veins and arteries consists of red blood cells which carry oxygen to the tissues. Approximately 100 million new blood cells are formed daily in the bone marrow. Substances that are required in the production of these cells are iron, proteins and vitamins, especially folic acid and B12. Of these, iron and proteins are essential in building up the red coloring matter called hemoglobin.

A red cell has a life span of approximately one hundred and twenty days and is then destroyed and replaced.

A female is expected to have a hemoglobin level ranging from 12 to 14 gram. For a male, the hemoglobin levels should be between 14 to 16 gm.

The red blood cell count should be approximately five million red cells per millimeter of blood.

Causes

A diminished formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow, either due to defects in the bone marrow or due to an inadequate intake of iron, vitamins and proteins is one of the main causes of anemia. Other important causes are heavy loss of blood due to injury, bleeding piles, or excessive menstruation in women, bleeding from the gastro-intestinal tract; certain diseases like purpura and hemophilia which are characterized by bleeding; defective blood formation because of infections, toxins and drugs; inadequate intake of iron; and defective absorption of substances in the diet which enrich the blood. Some anemia can be caused by one or more of the factors mentioned above.

Anemia can also occur due to a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is needed for digestion of iron and proteins, or intestinal parasites or worms. Hookworms, pinworms, roundworms and tapeworms feed on the supply of blood as well as on the vitamins.

Symptoms

The most striking symptom of anemia is the pallor of the skin. However, it is best known by viewing the color of the internal lining of the eyelid.

The patient usually complains of weakness, fatigue, lack of energy and dizziness. Other symptoms include a pale look, premature wrinkles, dull and tired looking eyes, poor memory, shortness of breath on exertion, headache, slow healing of wounds and palpitations. The skin and mucous membrane look pale. Sometimes the blood pressure is low and pulse is rapid.

In severe cases, the tongue is often sore and nails of the fingers are brittle and concave instead of being convex. If the disease is ignored, it may turn into pernicious anemia which is more difficult to cure.

In some severe cases, the patient may have to be given a blood transfusion to make up the loss of blood as happens in trauma like severe haemorrhage due to injury or bursting of an ulcer in the abdominal region.

Many of the anemic patients develop a peculiar symptom to eat unusual things like chalk, bricks, clay, sand, ash, paint or starch. Such patients have a tendency of mouth watering even by the smell of such substances.

Dietary considerations

Diet is of utmost importance in the treatment of anemia. Refined foods like white bread, polished rice, sugar and desserts rob the body of its nutrients, especially the much needed iron. Iron should be preferably taken in its natural organic form in food. The emphasis in the diet should be on raw vegetables and fresh fruits which are rich in iron.

The patient should have a well balanced diet comprising of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits. Milk, meat soup, green vegetables and light foods free from fats and sour substances are recommended for a patient suffering from anemia. If the patient is constipated, purgatives are indicated because anemia is born of Pitta which can be corrected through purgation. Triphala is the best remedy for such type of constipation.

Treatment

Most of the physicians prescribe iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 supplements by diagnosis the nutrient which is deficient.

Sometimes iron is supplied in injection forms. Vitamin B12 is administered in injection forms. Sometimes blood transfusion is recommended in severe forms of anemia.

Ayurvedic medicines for anemia

There are certain Ayurvedic Medicines that are useful in treating anemia. They are Lohasava, Drakshasava, Phalatrikadi Kashaya, Vyoshadi ghrita, Punarnava Mandur, Arogyavardhini vati etc.

Constipation is also seen in patients suffering from anemia. For such kind of patients, Triphala work well in treating it.

Herbal pack for anemia

• Yakritplihantak Churna – 1 to 2 teaspoon twice daily before meals

• Punarnava Mandur – 2 tablets twice daily before meals

• Arogyavardhini vati – 2 tablets twice daily before meals