Anemia is a common blood condition, reported as a low-hemoglobin level that may make you feel tired and weak.
A low level of red blood cells is called anemia. A human body needs enough oxygen to function frequently, red Blood Cells transport oxygen to all the organs and body tissues. An anemic person has fatigue and lethargy. It is a result of the organs not receiving enough oxygen. Hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein, is present in red blood cells. Hemoglobin levels in the human body are used to calculate anemia.
Anemia can be short-term and long-term and can range from mild to severe. Mild anemia can be treated easily, while severe anemia may cause severe health complications.
Symptoms of Anemia
The signs and symptoms of anemia depend upon the mildness and seriousness of this blood disorder. Some anemic people don’t feel any of these symptoms. A few symptoms are as under:
- Fatigue, weakness, dizziness
- Aches and pains including head, chest, joints
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pale skin
- Dark circles around the eyes
- Cold hands and feet
- Growth problem among children
- Brittle nails
- Inflammation
Types of Anemia and their Causes
There are more than 400 types of anemia, each type has telltale causes and symptoms. Some of the most common types are discussed under:
Iron Deficiency Anemia
It is the most common type of anemia caused by the deficiency of Iron in the body. The bone marrow needs Iron to make hemoglobin, without sufficient Iron, the human body can’t produce enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the main protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Causes & symptoms of Iron Deficiency
- A diet low in Iron
- Heavy menstruation cycle
- Pregnancy
- Certain medications or drugs
- Digestive problems
- Gastrointestinal issues
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
A healthy body also needs vitamins and folate as much as it requires Iron to make healthy RBCs. This kind of anemia is formed by lower levels of vitamin B-12 and folate.
Causes & symptoms of Vitamin Deficiency
- Dietary deficiencies such as being a vegetarian can cause a lack of vitamins
- Muscular weakness
- Trouble concentration
- Vision problem
- Tingling in hands and feet
- Digestive issues like bloating and constipation
Pernicious Anemia
This type of anemia is caused by a deficiency of protein, which is produced in the stomach and is known as an intrinsic factor. This factor helps the body to absorb vitamin B-12 from the diet. This kind of anemia happens when the body doesn’t consume enough Vitamin B-12. The causes of pernicious anemia are somewhat the same as the causes of vitamin deficiency.
Aplastic Anemia
This rare, life-threatening type of anemia happens when the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells. With a low red blood cell count, this type of anemia also has a low count of white blood cells and platelets. Low white blood cell counts are associated with skin infections, while low platelets can result in easy bruising and bleeding. Aplastic anemia is the most common cause of autoimmune disorders.
Causes & symptoms of Aplastic Anemia
- Autoimmune diseases
- Exposure to toxins, infections
- Bruising and skin rashes
- Fatigue and weakness
Hemolytic Anemias
This group of anemias happens when the body destroys red blood cells faster than the production of new ones. When red blood cells are fragile and can’t handle stress, they burst easily. The causes of hemolytic anemias are unclear.
Causes & symptoms of Hemolytic Anemias
- Genetics
- Autoimmune diseases
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Reaction to certain drugs
Sickle Cell Anemia
This type of anemia happens when the shape of the red blood cell is faulty. This irregular shape of red blood cells clogs the blood vessels and causes damage and pain. These red blood cells break down easily and oxygen doesn’t get to the body.
Thalassemia
The body produces less hemoglobin than usual due to this genetic blood disease. Treatment for mild thalassemia is not crucial, but in severe cases, a frequent blood transfusion may be crucial.
Causes & symptoms of Thalassemia
- Family history
- Iron overload
- Enlarged spleen
- Risk of infections
- Bone deformities
Risk Factors of Anemia
Every age and gender is susceptible to anemia. However, several risk factors make anemia more likely to exist.
- Being pregnant and not taking multivitamins or folate can increase the risk of anemia.
- Having a chronic illness such as kidney failure, heart failure or rheumatoid arthritis
- Family history
- Certain medications that inflame the stomach or other organs of the body
- A diet low in Iron, vitamins and folate can increase the risk of anemia
- Heavy bleeding or menstruation may be a factor in anemia
- People aged 65 and above can be at risk of anemia
Diet and Anemia
The treatment plan for anemia always includes dietary changes. It is necessary to make good food choices to get rid of anemia. Eating junk food means that you are consuming calories without healthy nutrients. The best diet plan for anemia includes food rich in Iron and vitamins.
Some foods rich in Iron include:
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli
- Red meat, lamb, poultry and chicken
- Seafood, fish contains Iron like tuns, shrimps, crabs
- Beans, lentils, nuts and seeds
- Dry fruits including apricots, raisins, prunes
Foods rich in folate include beef liver, eggs, lentils and asparagus.
Foods rich in vitamins include eggs, dairy products, poultry, fortified cereals, and soy products.
Foods rich in vitamin C include fruits like citrus fruits, melons, and strawberries.
Include fibre in your diet because only taking Iron may cause constipation. High-fibre foods include apples, chickpeas, lentils, split peas, whole grains, avocadoes, peppers, berries and pears.
How Can Anemia Be Managed?
A good diet and lifestyle adjustments might help treat short-term anemia, while other types of anemia can last a lifetime. Let’s go over some healthy lifestyle options for reducing anemia symptoms.
1- Consume a healthy diet. It is a game changer to manage anemia.
2- Hydrate yourself.
3- Exercise regularly. Exercise with anemia might be risky. If you overdo it, you may increase your symptoms. If you consume too little, you will miss benefits such as energy, lower stress, and a higher general quality of life.
4- The spleen is an organ responsible for the production of red blood cells, nourish the spleen with a proper diet like squash, pumpkin and all bright orange-coloured foods.
5- If you are emotionally strained and struggle with forgiveness, anger, or have chronic anxiety, these things will deplete and fatigue your spleen and liver. So, make sure you schedule time for relaxation. Try to recharge your body by relieving stress.
6- Sufficient sleep is vital to dealing with anemic-related exhaustion.
7- Deep breathing exercise is helpful to nourish your body with fresh oxygen.
Home Remedies for Anemia
1- Consuming pomegranate juice with an empty stomach early in the morning enhances iron levels in the body.
2- Beetroots and carrots make a power pack duo, and this combination is beneficial for persons suffering from anemia because it naturally increases iron levels. You may also add some sour oranges for a double dose of vitamin C.
3- Iron, vitamins A, C, and magnesium are all abundant in moringa leaves. This remarkable leaf provides 28 mg more Iron per serving than spinach does. Moringa leaves are known to increase hemoglobin levels also red blood cell counts. Moringa leaves can be used in salads, baking, shakes, soups and dips.
4- Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, green apples, and turnip greens are well-known foods for fighting anemia.
5- Sesame seeds and fenugreek seeds are loaded with Iron, vitamins, folate and selenium. Regular addition of sesame seeds improves hemoglobin levels and promotes the absorption of Iron.
6- Bananas are high in nutrients like vitamin C, folate, potassium, and Iron, which your body requires to produce red blood cells and increase hemoglobin levels. Consuming green or ripe bananas can help significantly boost iron levels.
7- Honey also helps to increase hemoglobin levels in the blood. It is rich in Iron and copper.
8- Raisins and dates are high in both vitamin C and Iron. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, allowing your body to absorb Iron more efficiently. Sweet and plump figs, on the other hand, are high in Iron, vitamin A, magnesium, and folate. Consuming a handful of soaking figs, dates, and raisins in the morning at least three times each week can boost your hemoglobin levels.
9- Ayurvedic medicine recommends drinking water in a copper kettle to help restore the body’s natural minerals and increase iron levels. Keep water in a copper bottle and consume it as needed to replenish iron storage.
Is Hijama Cupping Therapy Safe for Anemic People?
Hijama cupping therapy is one of the famous traditional remedies in many parts of the world. The practice of cupping therapy helps in treating many health problems. When we put cups on our bodies, a vacuum is applied, and harmful chemicals are removed from the skin by incisions.
Hijama cupping therapy holds special significance for Muslims because it was advocated by Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Abu Hurairah reported Our Prophet saying, “If there is an excellent remedy, It is Hijama”. Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3857) Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maaja (3476) Jaabir Ibn Abdullah says OurDear Prophet said,” Indeed in Hijama is a cure”. Saheeh Muslim (5706)
Many Hijama practitioners recommend that anemic patients should not perform Hijama. They already have poor hemoglobin and red blood cell counts, and blood loss from Hijama can make them further weaker and less energetic. Some people believe that Hijama cupping therapy causes anemia. However, there is no clear evidence that proves wet or Hijama cupping therapy causes anemia as a side effect or any evidence regarding its safety on patient’s hemoglobin levels.
Anemia is called low levels of red blood cells in the body. When it happens, the tissues and organs have a hard time getting oxygen, as a result, we experience weakness, tiredness and shortness of breath. A healthy human body replaces old red blood cells with new red blood cells, when this process is disrupted it causes anemia. Hijama cupping therapy increases blood circulation, improves overall blood flow and promotes cell repair. It also helps to create new blood vessels in the tissues.
Few studies have investigated the effect of Hijama cupping on blood hemoglobin levels. The most relevant study was performed at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah in the Prophetic Medicine Clinic. The patients chosen for the study had a wide age range, from 14 to 86 years. Most of the patients were females. The majority of patients had muscular pains as their primary complaint. The participants had more than one Hijama session on different dates. Different comparisons were drawn from participants’ results to show the difference between their blood results before and after Hijama. There were no statistical differences between any readings before and after Hijama. This method was repeated for only those participants who initially had anemia before the first session of Hijama. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the RBC and HCT when comparing their reading before and immediately after Hijama.
All the results of this study prove that anemia is not a side effect of Hijama cupping therapy. Some Hijama practitioners claim that Hijama might be the treatment for anemia. However, it is yet to be proven as a valid treatment for anemia.
In 2008 another study showed a relationship between iron deficiency. This study contradicts some studies that show no effect of wet cupping therapy on hemoglobin levels. It was an experimental study, as cupping therapy had been performed at Cupping centres in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The data was collected from 17 volunteers who participated in the study. The samples were collected immediately before cupping and two weeks after cupping to compare the hemoglobin parameters of each participant before and after cupping. The study focused on healthy males, who should be clear of any health concerns and the age range was 16 to 46. All participants had 5 cups, 2 cups on the shoulders and 3 cups on the back. Several comparisons were obtained to demonstrate the variation between their blood results before and after the wet cupping.
White blood cells are crucial components of the Immune system because they defend the body from infectious illnesses. According to the findings of this study, wet cupping can boost the immune system. Red blood cells are in charge of delivering oxygen to the cells and tissues in which hemoglobin transports oxygen. Counting red blood cells is one method of determining anemia. According to the findings of this study, wet cupping does not affect total red blood cell count.
As a result, it is concluded that Hijama cupping therapy is safe for anemia when conducted correctly by a competent Hijama practitioner.
