Effects of Anemia on the Body: Symptoms & Health Risks

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EFFECTS OF ANEMIA ON BODY

More than men, women tend to get anemic easily! Menstruation, pregnancy and Beast feeding being the leading causes.

To understand Anemia, we need to understand the function and role of blood in our body first.

Journey and Importance of Blood

Blood is the medium/connector/carrier that travels to all parts of the body connecting each and every cell and every organ. Let’s check its path first.

a) In Intestine

The food we take in goes into the stomach, churned and digested and sent to the Intestine. This liquid is now rich in nutrition (Rasa). It is rich in all the vitamins, minerals, starch, proteins, fats, water( Oxygen rich). Also with the digestive acids and enzymes which protect the body from germs that enter. These nutrients get absorbed into the blood stream in the small Intestine. The first place for the entry of nutrients.

b) In Liver

These nutrient rich blood and the blood coming from the heart (Oxygen rich) is taken to the Liver which is the largest gland in the body and which works 24x7. It filters the blood and removes the toxins and waste materials like alcohol and drugs. It converts these nutrients to form energy that the body can use. It regulates the blood sugar level by storing glucose and releasing it when required. It synthesizes proteins for the plasma. It has various other numerous functions which makes it the important organ for building Immunity in the body.

Hence it is important to analyse what we put into the body than just get tempted to taste, smell and addiction,which can put a load on the liver.

c) In Heart-Lung

From the liver the cleaned blood travels to the heart. Heart and lungs co-ordinate together to remove Carbon dioxide and add more Oxygen to blood. After that heart sends 15-20% blood to the brain and rest to the lower parts of the body. Meaning blood supplies fresh nutrition and rich oxygen to all organs and cells of the body. From the Aorta, the first fresh blood goes to the chest cavity and heart muscles itself.

From here the blood travels to the muscles, fat, bones, marrow, and enriches the reproductive fluids/hormones. And in the process builds Immunity in the body. Each and every cell is nourished, waste eliminated.

(The concept of Rasa-Rakta-Mamsa-Medo-Asthi-Maja-Sukra-Ojas).

d) In Kidney, Skin and Large Intestine

Kidney and skin also play an important role in eliminating waste, like urea, uric acid, creatinine and water, after filtering the blood. Intestine removes solid waste and water from the digestive tract, before it gets into blood.

e) In Glands

When blood reaches various glands, hormones and enzymes are released into the blood, which carries signals/messages with them for target organs to function. Like the Follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) is produced in the Pituitary gland. It travels in the blood to reach the ovaries to signal it to start the maturation of follicles. Likewise various organs wait for signals as blood passes by them.

f) Body Defence

The Plasma and WBC is the security force in the body. As it travels through the blood, it fights any pathogens on the way and destroys them. Many anti-inflammatory enzymes in blood help to reduce the inflammations formed in the body. Also various cells help in the healing process of the body.

Effects of Anemia on body

The above mentioned, gives an idea of the path of blood and the various give and take processes that happen in organs and cells. Body is full of channels and tubes, which circulates blood all along. And hence the right quantity of the liquid with right amount of its ingredients are very important to keep every cell and organ in its right working condition.

So Anemia is not just Iron loss or loss of folic acid. It is the loss of all nutrients like vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water, Oxygen, anti-inflammatory factors, healing cells, electrolytes, hormones, enzymes, antibodies and much much more. Similarly, if blood is less, filtration in liver, kidney, lungs, Intestine, skin also will be less, leading to holding back of the wastes or toxins in the body.

Symptoms of Anemia

With this in course of time, lot of other problems start to crepe up in body which we may feel like independent diseases. Like numbness of limbs mimicking paralysis; acidity, chest pain mimicking heart pain; spleen enlargement and liver problems causing digestive issues. Accumulation of toxins in joints mimic arthritis; foggy brain, memory loss, blurry vision, lack of stamina, lack of strength in muscles, retention of fluid whole body making body obese, grey hair, loose skin and many more symptoms.

Treatment for Anemia

It is not just casually said that “Blood is life!” It carries life with it. And it is not easy to replenish it fast. By the time it takes time to fill in, quality of life is lost. If you have above mentioned symptoms and you are Anemic, it is important to treat Anemia first. Otherwise body will not respond to other medicines! Just Iron and Folic acid tablets is not the answer. That is why Pregnant and Breastfeeding ladies are advised to eat all types of healthy food to get all the nutrients for the mother and child. Multivitamins, micro-nutrients , glucose and electrolytes are important.

Reasons why you get Anemic

Stop the factors that cause you being Anemic. It could be haemorrhage, bleeding piles, bleeding fibroids, long time Infections and other diseases, Nutritional deficiencies, Post surgeries, worm infestations. Wrong eating and sleeping habits and wrong lifestyle builds up more toxins than rich blood which puts a pressure on the other organs simultaneously. Women tend to eat a lot of left overs without thinking of the bad combinations which can increase the toxicity in blood!

So don’t take Anemia lightly. You are increasing your chances of aging faster and degeneration of organs sooner! But the best part is, with the right diet and medicines, you can get back your stronger, healthier self again!

Dr. Jobby George (BAMS, CCAG, YIC)

Sr. Gynec and Infertility Consultant

Ayufy Ayurveda