Anaemia: Symptoms, Types, & Prevention | Best Anaemia Health Insurance Plans

When there are not enough healthy 'red blood cells' to transport oxygen to the different tissues and cells in our body, then you are considered anaemic or having anaemia. Anaemia can also be caused by bleeding which leads to the loss of RBCs quicker than they can be restored, or the body destroys RBCs. Protein deficiency, iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 in food is the most common cause for anaemia.

Symptoms of Anaemia

Anaemia symptoms may be so mild that you do not even realise them. At a certain stage, signs sometimes worsen as the RBCs decline. Symptoms can include, dependent on the cause of the anaemia, which comprises:

• Faintness, light-headedness, or feeling like to pass out
• Unusual fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Pain, including in your chest, bones, joints, and belly,
• Problems with growth, for teens and children
• Shortness of breath
• Yellow/pale skin
• Cold feet and hands
• Fatigue/weakness

Types of Anaemia

A person can suffer from different types of anaemia conditions, such as:

• Iron-Deficiency Anaemia: When iron production is deficient in the body which can be due to various factors, such as a low iron diet, heavy menstruation problems, etc., it leads to a medical condition called iron-deficiency anaemia. Frequent blood donation can also be one of the reasons for the insufficient production of red blood cells in the body.
• Vitamin Deficiency Anaemia: This type of anaemia occurs due to a lack of vitamins like B12 and folate in the body. These vitamins play a vital role in forming RBC count in the body and their deficiency may lead to anaemia.
• Aplastic Anaemia: A rare but critical health condition that occurs when the bone marrow fails to generate enough red blood cells in the body. Despite having normal iron levels in the body, some people can face this condition which can also be life-threatening.
• Hemolytic Anaemia: This type of condition results when a person's body starts destroying red blood cells faster than they produce. Injections, bone marrow problems, autoimmune disorders, etc., can cause this condition.
• Sickle Cell Anaemia: It is a medical condition in which the person's body, from birth, creates abnormally shaped red blood cells. These cells can become more rigid over time and block blood flow in the body resulting in pain and several health issues.
• Thalassemia: Another condition in which the body produces less haemoglobin than needed resulting in anaemia.

Causes of Anaemia

Some of the main causes of Anaemia are:

• Genetic Disorders: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), sickle cell anaemia, and thalassemia are a few diseases that are inherited and passed down through the genes resulting in improper blood functioning.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: One of the major causes of high risk of anaemia condition is the deficiency in iron level, vitamin B12, and folate in the body, essential for producing healthy blood cells.
• Infections: Another major cause of anaemia risk is infections like malaria and HIV that can affect RBCs.
• Lead toxicity: The production of haemoglobin and red blood cells in the body may also be disrupted due to high levels of lead exposure.

Prevention: Foods and Diet Tips to Prevent Anaemia

Many forms of anaemia are short-term and moderate. However, when left unchecked for a long time, the disorder may become debilitating. The good news is that, by having adequate iron, anaemia will also be prevented and quickly corrected.

Nutritional Requirement for Preventing Anaemia

The causative factor indicates the anaemia type that an individual has. In population-based studies, the most prevalent anaemia seen is iron deficiency anaemia. Anaemia of iron and vitamin deficiencies can be avoided by a balanced diet.

• Iron: For haemoglobin synthesis, iron is necessary. The main reason for iron deficiency anaemia is the absence of iron in the human body. Iron-rich foods are green leafy vegetables, legumes, dry fruits, fish, poultry products, and chicken.
• Folate: Folic acid is an important hemopoietin vitamin in the body for the proliferation and development of red cells. Deficient folic acid can cause anaemia. Folic acid deficiency can also be caused by alcohol and celiac diseases. Folic acid-rich foods are green leafy vegetable, pulses, and soybean
• Vitamin B12: It is a vital vitamin for our body's production of RBCs. Since there are no vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, vegetarians are especially at risk for B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12-rich foods are meat, fortified cereal, soy, and dairy products
• Vitamin C: Not only is vitamin C critical for preserving your immunity, but it is also necessary for iron absorption. Vitamin C-deficiency can result in poor absorption of iron. Vitamin-rich foods are gooseberries, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, bell peppers, and drumstick leaves

Diet Tips for Preventing Anaemia

• Keep every meal balanced by selecting from proteins, grains, milk, vegetables, and dairy products - one portion each.
• Include millet such as bajra and ragi in one meal a day.
• Proteins are essential for haemoglobin production, both from plants and animals. Your daily meals should contain meats, eggs, and legumes.
• Your diet must include proteins such as curd/yoghurt, milk, and paneer Yoghurt increases the health of the gut, enabling improved absorption of nutrients.
• Have 2 fruits every day for the adequacy of iron and vitamin C. Include vitamin C-rich vegetables such as green chillies, tomatoes, and capsicum in each meal.
• Always squeeze lemon on meat and legumes to enhance iron absorption. Green chutney is a simple way to eat leafy green vegetables. Chutney made with dates is very rich in iron.

Global and Indian Perspective on Anaemia

Global Perspective:

Anaemia is a serious health issue that not only affects young people but also pregnant women and little children. Around 2 billion people face this health issue out of which 40% are children and 37% are pregnant women. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared anaemia to be a major health problem. The major factors behind this condition are malnutrition, infection, nutrient deficiencies, etc.

Indian Perspective:

In India, anaemia is a common health issue suffered majorly by children and women. In the 2021 National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 58.9% of women (15-49 years) were recognized as anaemic. Also, a large percentage of children were also at a higher risk of anaemia. The major reason behind these conditions in India is poor nutrition and lifestyle. Over the years, several initiatives were launched to fight back anaemia and treat the illness. Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) program is one of these initiatives.

Risk Factors for Developing Anaemia

Some of the major factors that may increase the risk of anaemia include:

• Low Nutritional Diet: People who do not consume foods that have enough vitamins and minerals often lack iron, folate, and vitamin B-12 which can lead to an increase in the risk of anaemia.
• Small Intestine Issue: Medical conditions such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease can weaken your immunity and ability to absorb nutrients by attacking your small intestine. Lack of nutrition in the body may further increase your risk of anaemia.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, a woman's body demands higher iron production. Pregnant women who consume fewer vitamins with folic acid and iron are more prone to develop anaemia risk.
• Menstrual periods: Women who often deal with heavy periods during their menstrual cycle are also at a higher risk of developing anaemia.
• Family history: If your family has a previous history of a certain type of anaemia, such as sickle cell anaemia, you have a higher chance of developing anaemia in that case.

How to Diagnose Anaemia

Anaemia is a common health condition that generally happens to people who fail to produce sufficient red blood cells in their body due to nutrition deficiency, heavy blood flow on a monthly basis, etc. Doctors question the symptoms and run a few blood tests to identify the type of anaemia. The most-recommended blood tests for diagnosing anaemia include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): The purpose of running a CBC test is to get a quick overview of the body's blood cell count. The test provides a quick analysis of RBCs (majorly), WBCs, etc. Further, in the test report, doctors can measure the size and shape of blood cells.
• Haemoglobin Test: Most doctors also recommend haemoglobin tests to directly check if the person is anaemic or not.
• Hematocrit Test: By running this test, doctors are able to track and calculate the percentage level of RBC count in the patient's body.
• Peripheral Blood Smear: Doctors recommend this test to check the shape and size of blood cells forming in the body. They perform a microscopic view to analyze blood cells.
• Reticulocyte Count: Medical professionals recommend this test to check if there are immature red blood cells developing in the patient's body. Also, it helps check if the bone marrow is producing healthy red blood cells.

Anaemia Health Insurance Plans According to Category

• ICICI Lombard Health Insurance

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance Plan offers protection against hospitalisation costs and other medical treatment expenses. The plan further includes regular check-ups, tax benefits, and coverage for pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses. The plan further covers pre-existing conditions and offers reward points to its policyholders for wellness activities. Apart from the basic plan, one can access hassle-free claim settlement, unlimited reset benefits, and cashless treatment across a wide range of network hospitals.

• Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy

Another insurance plan designed for individuals between 91 and 65 years of age that covers hospitalisation expenses, AYUSH treatment, road ambulance transportation expenses, medical consultation expenses, etc. Further, the Star Health Insurance policy provides coverage for buyback PEDs that is optional for policyholders. Also, it comes with Health Check Up benefits, Wellness Program, Automatic Restoration of Sum Insured, Cumulative Bonus, etc.

• Care Health Insurance - Aplastic Anaemia Cover

Individuals can also purchase this plan that provides coverage for your medical treatment, diagnostic tests, hospitalisation expenses, ambulance charges, etc. Any person between age 18 to 60 years is eligible for this Care Health Insurance plan. The policy further covers room rent, medication costs related to hospitalisation, etc.

Bottom Line

People with anaemia have RBCs that are lower than normal in their blood. Fatigue, headaches, nausea, pale skin, shortness of breath, among others, are symptoms of anaemia. If not treated, it may also result in long-term health concerns. To prevent low blood iron levels, you should consume a diet high in iron-rich, folate-rich, Vitamin B12, and vitamin C.