Anaemia

THE
MOST COMMON
PROBLEM
IN INDIA
 What is Anaemia

Defeciency of Iron
in blood is referred to
as Anaemia
 NORMAL
HEAMOGLOBIN LEVEL

12-14.5 mg/dl
 WHY IS IT
IMPORTANT TO
MAINTAIN
NORMAL LEVELS
Causes
 IRON DEFECIENCY
• Blood loss due to excessive bleeding, ulcers,
haemorrhage, bleeding during delivery.

• Defeciency of Iron during accelerated growth

phase – Infancy, Adolescence, Pregnancy.

• Inadequate absorption of Iron: Diarrhoea,

Sprue, Pellagra etc
 Symptoms

• Pallor of skin (pale skin)

• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Pica (eating abnormal things)
• Lethargy (tiredness) & Fatigue
• Breathlessness on Exertion
• Irritability (getting irritated very easily)

• Insomnia (lack of sleep)

• Palpitation (Increased heart rate)

• Giddiness

• Dimness of vision
• Difficulty in breathing

• Headache

• Oedema

• Others depend on CAUSE OF ANAEMIA

 The severity of
symptoms depends on
Rapidity of
Development
of Anaemia
 DIETARY
CONSIDERATIONS
Comes from 2 sources

• HAEM – non-vegetarian

&
• NON-HAEM – vegetarian
 Other sources

Soil, water, dust &

Cooking of diet in iron-pots.
 Breast-milk contains
less iron-content
but has better absorption
and digestibility than other
milks
 Foods rich in IRON
• Cereals: Bajra, Jowar, Rice flakes (Poha),
Rice puffed (Mamra), Vermicelli (Samai),
Broken wheat.

• Pulses: Soyabean, Masur, Math, Udad,

Mung, Chanadal, Desi chana, Kabuli
chana, Roasted chana (Daaliya), Chawli,
Drypeas – almost all pulses are rich in Iron
• Vegetables: Ajma na pan, Patra na
pan, Sarson ka sag, Pudina, Muli
bhaji, Pyaz bhaji, Cauliflower leaves,
Raw banana, Suva bhaji (All green
leafy vegetables)

• Nuts & Oilseeds : Dry coconut, Black

& White Til, Pista, Charoli, Groundnut
• Fruits: Apple, Strawberry, Water-
melon, Pomegranate – to some extent

•6
• Others: Jaggery, Khoa, Cheese, Dry
dates( Khajur)
Have vitamin-C rich sources with
iron-rich sources for better
absorption of Iron.
 Vit-C rich sources:

Fruits: Amla, Lemon, Orange, Sweet-

lime, Pineapple, Guava, Cherries,
Water-melon, Kiwi-fruit, Lichi

Vegetables: Cabbage, Drumstick, Mint,

Coriander leaves
 Have plenty of green leafy
vegetables -

eg: as SOUP, add in the dough

of Paratha/ Thepla, add to
DAL & have as Vegetable.
 Avoid using excess of
anatacids: eg: gelusil, eno
digene etc.
 Avoid using laxatives,
Increase the total water
intake :
10-12 glasses a day
Avoid adding soda, aji-no-
motto to foods
 Avoid having tea/coffee
immediately after meals/
snacks, prefer having it about
30-40 mins
Good personal hygiene
must be followed.