Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein, which is the main element of red blood cells. It is he who colors the blood red. Its level reflects the ability of liquid connective tissue to saturate organs and systems with oxygen. Low hemoglobin is a pathological condition indicating a violation of the hematopoietic process. A natural result of oxygen starvation of organs is a failure in their work. A slight decrease in hemoglobin requires adjustment of the diet, with a significant deviation of the indicator to a lower side, medications are prescribed. Another name for the pathology is iron deficiency anemia.
Reasons
Low hemoglobin is a condition that can occur under the influence of a large number of provoking factors.
The most common ones are:
- Unbalanced diet. Fascination with various diets and adherence to the principles of vegetarianism leads tothe fact that the body receives an insufficient amount of iron and vitamins (especially those belonging to group B).
- Bleeding. May develop after injury, surgery, ectopic pregnancy and various diseases of the internal organs.
- Pathologies of a chronic nature. Against the background of their course, the degree of absorption of iron by the body decreases. This process is especially pronounced in old age.
- ORZ, SARS. Colds are one of the most common causes of low hemoglobin. As a rule, after recovery, its indicator again increases to normal (provided that the patient complied with all the doctor's prescriptions regarding diet and medication).
- Blood diseases. Pathologies of liquid connective tissue in most cases are accompanied by rapid destruction of erythrocytes, due to which hemoglobin is also destroyed.
- Diseases of an autoimmune nature. They are characterized by an erroneous attack by the body's defenses of its own cells. Against the background of this process, changes occur in the composition of the blood.
- Pregnancy. In women, low hemoglobin can be detected during childbearing. This is due to the increased need of the body for iron. To normalize the indicator, the attending physician prescribes safe medications.
- Worm infestation. Parasites absorb the nutrients that enter the body with food, including vitamin B12, which is necessary for the absorption of iron.
- Donation. A person who donates blood regularly may havelow hemoglobin. All donors must adhere to the principles of a he althy diet to prevent the development of a violation.
- External factors. Often, low hemoglobin is the result of a long stay in a state of stress, irrational organization of work and rest, high-intensity physical exertion, overexcitation, and living in adverse environmental conditions. The indicator is also affected by bad habits. Smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages lead to its decrease.
In order to normalize the level of hemoglobin, it is necessary to first eliminate the provoking factors. Otherwise, the pathological condition will develop regularly.
Symptoms
If the hemoglobin level is slightly reduced, the person may not feel any discomfort. In many cases, the level of iron-containing protein is normalized after the elimination of the provoking factor that affects the body for a short period of time. In such situations, a person does not even know that his hemoglobin has decreased.
With a pronounced pathological process, alarming signs appear, which are often attributed to other diseases. Symptoms of low hemoglobin are the following conditions:
- quick onset of fatigue even with light loads;
- sluggishness;
- drowsy;
- frequent episodes of dizziness;
- migraine;
- decrease in concentration;
- periodic occurrencereversible memory lapses;
- clouding of consciousness with a sharp movement from a horizontal to a vertical position;
- swelling of limbs;
- bruising with minor bruises;
- heartburn during and after meals;
- change in gastronomic preferences;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, often they become bluish;
- Cracks in the corners of the lips.
These signs are long-term. In addition, in women, low hemoglobin is accompanied by a deterioration in the appearance of hair: they become brittle and dull. Nails also lose strength, white spots form on them, and their delamination occurs.
Who should I contact?
When anxiety symptoms appear, make an appointment with a therapist. During the consultation, the specialist will assess the patient's condition and issue a referral for examination. If the test results show low hemoglobin, the doctor will recommend that the patient consult a hematologist. This is a specialist in the treatment of blood diseases. It is he who will tell you what to do with low hemoglobin.
Diagnosis
In order to determine the level of iron-containing protein, it is necessary to donate blood. Before the analysis, it is forbidden to eat for 8-10 hours. It is allowed to drink pure non-carbonated water. In addition, it is not recommended to smoke, exercise the body and be in a state of stress before the study.
The norm of hemoglobin depends on the age and gender of the person. Its indicator is measured in g / l.
Normal values:
- 135-195 - in a baby in the first six months of life. Then the indicator gradually decreases to 125-160.
- 110-130 - in a child aged 1 year.
- 115-135 - This level is normal for 6 year olds.
- 120-145 - in adolescents during puberty.
- 130-170 - Adult males.
- 120-155 for women.
In pregnant women, 110-140 g/l is considered normal. This is due to the fact that the body uses more iron during the gestational period. Regardless of the causes of low hemoglobin, its consequences are extremely dangerous, especially during pregnancy. In this regard, blood is regularly taken from every woman carrying a child for the timely detection of anemia.
Medicated treatment
If the hemoglobin level has decreased slightly, the patient only needs to make adjustments to the diet. With a pronounced deviation of the indicator to a lower side, one cannot do without taking medications. They are assigned on an individual basis based on diagnostic results and patient he alth indicators.
Currently, many drugs for the treatment of anemia are being sold on the pharmaceutical market. Doctors prescribe those that contain ferrous iron, as it is much better absorbed by the digestive system.
Most often specialistsrecommend the following drugs for low hemoglobin:
- Sorbifer Durules;
- "Aktiferrin";
- "Totem";
- Hemofer;
- Fenules;
- "Tardiferon";
- Ferrum-Lek;
- Ferroplex.
Medicines containing iron are usually prescribed by mouth. They must be taken daily. The dosage is from 100 to 300 mg, it is calculated by the doctor on an individual basis. Its increase will not reduce the duration of the pathological process, since the amount of iron absorption by the body is limited, its excess will come out naturally, without bringing any benefit.
Succinic acid or vitamin C should be taken simultaneously with medicines. In addition, fructose contributes to better absorption of the trace element.
In some cases, parenteral administration of drugs is indicated for low hemoglobin. In adults, indications for intramuscular or intravenous injections are the following diseases and conditions:
- pathologies accompanied by impaired absorption processes in the gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, enteritis);
- missing part of intestine or stomach;
- ulcers of the digestive system;
- individual intolerance to products containing iron;
- preparation for surgery.
Ferrum-Lek, Venofer or Ektofer are most often administered parenterally.
It is important to understand that there are many reasons for the development of pathology in both children and adults. Iron supplements for low hemoglobin shouldbe prescribed only by a doctor. This is due not only to individual characteristics of he alth, but also to different mechanisms of the development of the disease. In addition, most of them have side effects, the occurrence of which requires adjustment of the treatment regimen.
Duration of therapy is approximately 1.5-2 months. At the same time, hemoglobin begins to rise after 2-3 weeks. At the same time, the patient's well-being improves.
Emergency
Sometimes it happens that the level of iron-containing protein decreases to a critical level (60-70 g/l). Symptoms of this condition are: severe weakness, fainting, heart palpitations. In such situations, you must immediately call an ambulance.
A critically low hemoglobin level poses a threat not only to he alth, but also to the life of the patient. An emergency measure is a blood transfusion from a he althy person to a sick person.
The algorithm for the procedure is as follows:
- The doctor conducts research, on the basis of which the hemoglobin level is determined and possible contraindications to transfusion are identified.
- The compatibility of the donor and recipient by blood type and Rh factor is checked.
- To assess the individual response of the patient, a small amount of blood is injected portionwise.
- After the preparatory stage, the transfusion is carried out. With anemia, the patient is injected with red blood cells. It pours slowly, the process speed is approximately 50 drops perminute. The transfusion is carried out under the supervision of a doctor who constantly assesses the patient's condition and periodically measures the temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
After a blood transfusion, the patient is in the hospital for 3 days. On the first day, bed rest is indicated. On the 2nd day it is necessary to pass tests. If there are no complications, the patient is discharged.
Diet adjustments
With a slight decrease in hemoglobin, a diet is indicated. In addition, it must be followed as a preventive measure. It is not advisable to make adjustments for severe anemia, since iron from food can only replenish its daily losses.
With a slight decrease in hemoglobin, the menu should include the following products:
- chicken;
- meat (beef, pork);
- offal;
- legumes (recommended to give preference to red beans and lentils);
- buckwheat porridge;
- fresh and baked vegetables;
- fruit;
- fresh juices;
- caviar (both black and red);
- fish;
- seafood;
- dried fruits;
- nuts (walnuts contain the most iron);
- egg yolk;
- bitter chocolate.
If following a diet does not lead to a positive result, the doctor may prescribe medication.
Folk methods
Unconventional methods do not eliminate the needdoctor visits. They can be used at the initial stage of anemia and as a prevention of its development.
The most effective iron-rich recipes:
- Chop and mix equal proportions of beets, white cabbage, bell peppers and dandelion leaves. Add greens to the resulting salad. Consume in the morning.
- Chop 2 cups of walnuts. Pour them with 1.5 liters of honey. Let it brew for 3 weeks, stirring the composition daily. The resulting mixture should be consumed three times a day for half an hour before a meal, 1 tbsp. l. Refrigerated product.
- In equal proportions, mix rose hips and mountain ash. Pour 3 tbsp. l. collection of 40 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 10 minutes. Use the product three times a day for half an hour before a meal.
- Grind with a meat grinder 5 aloe leaves (which must first be stored for 3 days in the freezer) and 1 lemon. Add 1 cup of honey to the product, mix. Take three times a day for 1 tbsp. l.
Doctors recommend using cast iron containers when cooking. According to research, more iron is retained in food when food is cooked.
Consequences
With anemia, the internal organs do not receive enough oxygen. Against the background of this pathological condition, their work is disrupted. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems are especially affected, as the load on them increases significantly. In addition, there is a weakeningthe body's defenses, in connection with which the risk of developing various diseases increases.
In children, the consequences of low hemoglobin are also dangerous. They have: delayed mental and physical development, memory impairment, decreased concentration. At the same time, the body, exhausted from oxygen starvation, is unable to cope with various kinds of infections.
In closing
Anemia is a pathological condition characterized by a decrease in the level of iron-containing protein in the blood. The disease has no specific symptoms; patients can attribute its symptoms to manifestations of meteorological dependence and other ailments. In this regard, when the first uncomfortable sensations appear, you should consult a doctor. Only a competent specialist should provide information on how to increase low hemoglobin. At the initial stage of development, it is possible to normalize the level of iron-containing protein with the help of a diet, but in advanced cases, one cannot do without taking medications. Regardless of the causes of the disease, the consequences of low hemoglobin are extremely dangerous, since the lack of oxygen disrupts the work of all organs.
