General practitioners note that in recent years the number of patients complaining of low hemoglobin, as well as the complications that it provokes, has significantly increased. Women suffer the most from this pathology. Such statistics are very depressing, especially considering the fact that low hemoglobin provokes the development of many serious diseases, including infertility, heart disease and diabetes. That is why you always need to know what low hemoglobin in women means, and how to prevent this dangerous condition.
Determination of hemoglobin
Hemoglobin molecules are a complex combination of iron and protein atoms responsible for supplying oxygen to tissues. It is these atoms that color blood red. Hemoglobin is found in blood cells called erythrocytes. It transports oxygen and carbon dioxide into the cells, and this maintains a normal level of important chemical compounds in the blood. Therefore, when it rises or falls, unpleasant symptoms and poor he alth appear. When hemoglobin is lowered, what does this mean in women, the therapist will tell you. You can not ignore the symptoms of this pathology and wait for the condition to normalize without medical help. Such indifference to one's own he alth can lead to many serious diseases.
The norm of hemoglobin in women
To find out if the hemoglobin level is normal, you need to visit a therapist and pass the necessary tests. To determine the amount of hemoglobin, it is necessary to donate blood from a vein for analysis. Normal indicators for women range from 120-140 g / l. For men, this rate is reduced. Girls who are constantly involved in professional sports can have a hemoglobin level of 160 g / l. There are also exceptions for pregnant women:
- 1 and 3rd trimester of pregnancy - 110 g/l.
- 2 trimester - 105 g/l.
The difference between the indicators is extremely small, but it must be treated carefully. During pregnancy, women greatly increase the level of blood circulation, and the amount of hemoglobin in it begins to vary greatly. If during pregnancy it reaches a critical level of 120 g / l, it is necessary to seek medical help from a doctor. Reduced hemoglobin in women in position can provoke developmental disordersfetus, placenta, and the condition of the expectant mother.
Low hemoglobin in women
When the blood receives an insufficient amount of hemoglobin, this is immediately reflected in the internal state and appearance. At one glance in the mirror, you can see signs of this pathology. The skin becomes dry, the hair becomes brittle and dull, the complexion worsens and sores appear in the corners of the mouth. Reduced hemoglobin in women is often called anemia, as well as anemia. This condition may be due to recent illnesses, malnutrition, or an inflammatory process in the body.
Physical activity also plays an important role in normal blood circulation. Women who spend the day in active movement have a perfectly functioning circulatory system, where red blood cells are produced in sufficient quantities. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle suffer from low hemoglobin much more often. Low activity also affects many other important body processes.
Consequences of low hemoglobin
The most important task of hemoglobin is to supply the cells of the body with oxygen. With a decrease in this iron-containing protein in the blood, its deficiency manifests itself in all tissues. The body will take the missing nutrients from the bones, hair, skin and nails. That is why the first signs of low hemoglobin in a woman are reflected in her appearance. When all reserves are used, oxygen starvation will occur, which will reduce the performance of cells, all internalorgans and make you feel worse. Brain activity will also begin to suffer from a lack of oxygen.
When a woman has low hemoglobin, the therapist will tell you what to do. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you need to urgently go to the hospital. The longer the body stays in a lack of hemoglobin, the more possible complications develop, which lead to the following consequences:
- Hypoxia. This is the most dangerous pathology that occurs with low hemoglobin. It is characterized by dysfunction of the central nervous system, heart, kidneys, liver.
- Heart failure. Compensating for the lack of oxygen in the blood, the heart begins to work several times stronger.
- Decreased immune system.
- Inflammatory processes. There may be signs of osteochondrosis, neuralgia, arthritis.
- Erosions and ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract.
- When pregnant - premature birth.
If hemoglobin decreases in women who are in adulthood from 50 years old, it is necessary to constantly monitor its performance. Prolonged anemia can provoke the death of brain nerve cells, which will lead to the development of dementia.
Signs of low hemoglobin
Symptoms of low hemoglobin in women are manifested by iron deficiency anemia. Lack of oxygen rather quickly affects the work of all internal organs, as well as well-being. The most visible signs of low hemoglobin are:
- Drowsy.
- Fatigue.
- Dizziness.
- The appearance of shortness of breath.
- Low blood pressure.
- Frequent leg cramps.
- Cold hands and feet.
- Pale skin.
- Brittle nails.
- Hair falling out.
- Severe tachycardia.
- Chest pain.
- Cracks in the corners of the mouth.
Reduced hemoglobin in women causes a distortion of taste and smell receptors. There may be a strong desire to eat an inedible object or drink a liquid that is not suitable for food purposes. However, most of the symptoms of low hemoglobin can become signs of another disease. Therefore, you can not make a diagnosis on your own and self-medicate. When the first symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor and take a general blood test, which will reveal possible abnormalities.
Causes of low hemoglobin
Contribute to the development of anemia can be different reasons. Among the main doctors are the following:
- Pregnancy.
- Gastrointestinal ulcer.
- Lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid.
- Blood transfusion procedure.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Lead poisoning.
- Internal bleeding.
- Too restrictive diet.
- Thalassemia.
In addition to the above causes of low hemoglobin in women, its level may vary on certain days of the menstrual cycle, which is the norm for the reproductive system.
Low hemoglobin during pregnancy
Every woman who decides to become a mother should be responsible for her own he alth. Therefore, when unpleasant symptoms appear, it is urgent to consult a doctor. You need to do this even when you are at the planning stage of pregnancy. Signs of low hemoglobin in women can cause complications for both her and the child. Anemia leads to damage to the nervous and cardiovascular system of the expectant mother.
During pregnancy, a woman's circulatory system applies to her baby as well. When it is not enriched with oxygen, it harms the child irreparably. If the body of an adult can still temporarily adapt to low hemoglobin, then the embryo in this situation becomes absolutely defenseless. From a lack of oxygen, intrauterine diseases associated with the heart, brain activity, growth and development can appear. In addition to all the complications, low hemoglobin during pregnancy threatens to bleed during labor, which can be fatal for both the woman and the child.
Medical care and diagnostics
Noticing the symptoms of anemia, you should go to see a therapist. He will appoint a day for blood donation and determine all further actions. Most often, the therapist prescribes medication and recommends a strict diet. A similar treatment is carried out when the question arises of how to lower hemoglobin in women.
After a certain period of time, another blood test is done todetecting improvements in hemoglobin levels. If treatment and diet fail, the therapist refers the patient to other doctors. First of all, a consultation with a surgeon and a gastroenterologist is recommended. They will prescribe various procedures to rule out possible bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which often occurs in a latent form. Even if it is insignificant, it can lead to low hemoglobin in the blood of a woman and serious consequences.
The most dangerous of these bleeding is hemorrhoidal. To treat this problem, you need the help of a proctologist. To identify the cause of low hemoglobin, you should also contact a gynecologist. Sometimes its symptoms can indicate pregnancy. When carrying a child, the level of blood circulation changes significantly, which leads to an inevitable decrease in hemoglobin. In addition to pregnancy, a gynecologist can determine low hemoglobin by heavy and heavy menstrual bleeding.
How to increase hemoglobin in women with diet
Doctors prescribe two treatments for low hemoglobin in women: diet and medication. Most often, the state of he alth is normalized with proper nutrition. The diet includes foods high in iron. The daily menu must include:
- Beef meat.
- Apples.
- Buckwheat.
- Limited red wine.
- Bitter chocolate.
- Walnuts.
- Beans.
- Cheese.
To increase hemoglobin, doctors recommend taking folacin, as well as vitamin C. You should increase the intake of plant foods: cereals, fruits, vegetables and greens. When the question arises of how to lower hemoglobin in women, these foods should be eaten in moderation and, if possible, eliminate those that have too much iron in their composition.
To increase hemoglobin, you will have to give up sweets, pastries, everything fried and smoked. All these foods and dishes from them have the ability to increase cholesterol in the blood. With anemia, such a condition is categorically contraindicated. You can compensate for the loss of sweets with the well-known tasty Hematogen bar. It contains a large amount of vitamins and nutrients, as well as essential iron. A simple and easy recipe for homemade treats can serve as a replacement for it. To prepare it, you need to grind one glass of buckwheat and one glass of walnuts in a coffee grinder. Mix the resulting homogeneous mass with one glass of honey and put in the refrigerator. You can take sweetness 1-2 tablespoons a day.
Medicated treatment
How to lower hemoglobin in a woman's blood, as well as increase it to a normal level, every therapist knows. If diet does not help, and hemoglobin levels do not increase, drug treatment should be started. The diet is prescribed for a period of 1 to 3 months. If it does not work, the doctor may recommend the following medications:
- Irovit.
- Ferretab.
- "Totem".
- Sorbifer Durules.
The choice of the drug depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the presence of allergic reactions to its components. Treatment tactics differ depending on the stage of the disease and its symptoms. If they are pronounced, one diet will not have to be limited. That is why you should not self-medicate and try to normalize your he alth condition on your own.
Physical activity
Symptoms of low hemoglobin in women are expressed by apathy, weakness and drowsiness. Few people manage to maintain an active lifestyle in this state. But it is precisely sports that can increase the level of iron-containing protein and improve well-being. However, it must be taken into account that daily physical activity increases the body's need for iron. Therefore, you should increase the intake of food that contains it and do not forget about taking vitamins.
To normalize hemoglobin levels, women should exercise in moderation. You can not overload the body, but too little load will not work. Therefore, you need to choose moderate workouts: brisk walking, Pilates, fitball, ellipse, walks in the park. Such women's sports will invigorate, improve mood, and also tone the body.
Tips from Therapists
Most therapists say that low hemoglobin is the result of a combination of many factors. Its decrease is affected by bad habits, unhe althy diet, sedentary lifestyle.life, as well as ignoring the symptoms of diseases. Seeing a doctor late when you feel unwell can play a bad role for those who want to live a long and he althy life.
Therapists recommend annual preventive examinations in order to detect any deviations from the norm in time. This is the only way to prevent possible complications from diseases. Symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, brittle hair and nails, shortness of breath for no reason, and constant drowsiness should not be neglected. All these manifestations can be signals from the body that the level of hemoglobin is at a minimum. In order not to aggravate the state of he alth, you should immediately go to the doctor and take a blood test.
