Why do people have low hemoglobin levels? Why pharmaceutical preparations far from always helping, and sometimes even harmful, and how to avoid this? How to easily increase hemoglobin at home? You will learn all this in this article.
Symptoms of low hemoglobin
How can a person determine a decrease in hemoglobin? First of all, it is the presence asthenic symptoms: the patient feels general weakness, quickly gets tired, he has drowsiness, dizziness, possible palpitations and blood pressure(reduced). AT severe cases patients may experience.
When a decrease in hemoglobin is a consequence of a lack of iron in the body, dystrophic symptoms are noted: the skin is dry, cracks form in the corners of the mouth, nails and hair become brittle, fall out, and slowly grow back. There may be disturbances in smell and taste.
Predominantly low hemoglobin is a sign of a disease. The most common ones are:
chronic iron deficiency anemia;
blood loss;
thinning of the gastric mucosa (chronic atrophic gastritis);
inflammatory bowel disease, dysbacteriosis (chronic enteritis);
iron deficiency anemia after surgery;
autoimmune diseases (lupus, glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis);
long infectious diseases(hepatitis, gastroenterocolitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, inflammation of the kidneys, etc.);
malignant pathologies of the blood;
malignant tumor lesions, especially of the gastrointestinal tract.
Determination of hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a complex combination of iron and protein. It is found in erythrocytes - red blood cells. Hemoglobin performs the most important function for the body - the transfer of oxygen molecules to all organs and tissues. It captures oxygen in the lungs and conducts further oxidation, transferring it to all necessary structures. Oxygen is necessary for the body to ensure life, receive and exchange energy and carry out recovery reactions.
To produce hemoglobin, you need to eat iron-rich foods. It is also important that iron is normally absorbed in the small intestine. The content of B vitamins in food, especially vitamin B12 and folic acid. It is also important that there are no pathological changes, i.e. acquired or hereditary diseases blood.
Normally, the amount of hemoglobin in the blood of men is 130-160 g / l, in women - 120-147 g / l. In pregnant women, the lower limit of the hemoglobin norm is reduced to 110 g / l.
How much hemoglobin should be?
For the norm of hemoglobin, values \u200b\u200bare taken, different in age, gender and other characteristics of a person.
Hemoglobin is calculated in grams per liter (g/l). For an adult male, 130-170 g/l is normal, while for a woman it is 120-155 g/l. This difference is due to the fact that men have a higher concentration of androgens (a special group of steroid hormones) that stimulate the formation of red blood cells. For pregnant women, normal hemoglobin limits drop to 110-140 g/L as the body begins to use iron more actively.
In people under 18 years of age, the hemoglobin norm is delimited by age and does not depend on gender. In the first two weeks of life, hemoglobin is considered normal 135-195 g / l, then this figure decreases to 125-165 g / l, and by one year it reaches 110-130 g / l. After that, the hemoglobin level gradually increases by about 1-3 g / l per year (both in the lower and upper limits). For example, to school age(6-7 years old) it reaches 115-135 g/l, and by 13-14 years old - 120-145 g/l.
A blood test can show a deviation in the concentration of hemoglobin, not only with metabolic disorders and various diseases but also for other reasons. This is the use on this day or on the eve of fatty, fried, alcohol, excessive mental or physical exercise, taking certain medications, smoking before analysis.
Many people observe low hemoglobin, which in 90% of cases is associated with iron deficiency. This syndrome is characteristic of approximately 30% of the population of the entire planet, especially for children and women.
Why is low hemoglobin dangerous?
With a decrease in hemoglobin due to iron deficiency anemia many symptoms may appear. This is weakness, malaise, decreased performance,. Often there is shortness of breath, heart rate increases, taste and smell are distorted, dryness appears in the mouth, and the tongue begins to tingle.
Among external signs anemia can be observed dryness and thinning, pallor and peeling of the skin and lips, brittleness and loss of luster of nails. Women may experience burning or itching of the genital (external) organs. With a strong decrease in hemoglobin, fainting and dizziness begin, a constant headache, rapid fatigue, impaired attention. Muscle relaxation is often observed, which sometimes leads to urinary incontinence.
If hemoglobin is below normal, then malfunctions appear. This can lead to complications in any disease, even if it is an elementary cold.
Decreased hemoglobin - common occurrence for most pregnant women. A strong deviation from the norm affects the health of both the woman herself and the child she is carrying. In women, there are complications such as uterine hypotension, improper location of the placenta, hypoxia, delay or cessation of fetal development. At born child may be low weight, underdevelopment, respiratory and nervous system, subsequent deviations in mental and physical development, muscle and organ atrophy.
If hemoglobin in anemia is slightly reduced, then the problem can be solved by taking vitamins and changing your diet. It should contain meat and offal, fish, pomegranates, buckwheat, apples and freshly squeezed juices. By the way, it is precisely because of the lack of meat and offal in the diet that vegetarians often have low hemoglobin. More serious deviations from the norm are already resolved at the medical level.
Often, a decrease in hemoglobin indicates the presence of a disease or other disorder in the body. This may be an infection, a hereditary pathology, a violation of hemoglobin synthesis, hemoglobin may decrease due to blood loss, and not only obvious, but also hidden, for example, with certain diseases of the stomach or intestines,.
In any case, with a decrease in hemoglobin from the norm, you need to change your diet, and with a large deviation, you should visit a specialist - a hematologist.
Iron absorption, what's the catch?
So why, when taking iron in addition inside, we in most cases do not achieve results?
Most drugs designed to replenish iron in the body are in the form of ferric iron. Unfortunately, given form very indigestible and more likely to cause constipation and heaviness in the stomach than it will help with this problem. The body absorbs only ferrous iron, but such a drug is much more difficult to find.
The second reason for low iron absorption lies in casein. All dairy products contain a special protein - casein. It sticks together with iron and does not allow it to be absorbed and is simply excreted from the body. Therefore, one more important condition- all dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, cream, fermented baked milk, including dairy products) should be eliminated from the diet. at least do not use them within 5 hours before and after taking iron (if we talk about pharmaceutical preparations).
Thirdly, if you low acidity stomach, then iron will be less absorbed. And the lower it is, the worse the effect will be!
There is one more important thing: if you have a severely reduced iron, then first of all it will accumulate in the liver, and only then it will appear in the blood, so it should be consumed from 1-2 months to six months.
Causes of low hemoglobin
The body can lose hemoglobin various reasons. This happens most quickly with blood loss - both explicit and hidden. Explicit bleeding occurs with heavy and prolonged menstruation in women (more than five days), various injuries, injuries or operations.
Hidden are possible with some gastrointestinal diseases, pathologies of female reproductive system(ovarian cyst, uterine fibroids, etc.). to a decrease in hemoglobin and short life erythrocytes can lead autoimmune diseases, infections or hereditary diseases.
Also, low hemoglobin is noted in blood donors (with systematic, personnel donation). In children, low hemoglobin may be due to unbalanced diet, poor on necessary for the body and minerals.
How to replenish iron levels and increase hemoglobin?
Probably everyone has heard that black caviar increases hemoglobin. Yes, it can even raise hemoglobin in one day, but not everyone can afford it, not to mention the fact that you can’t just buy it on the market, since its sale is prohibited. Sale black caviar carried out only through retail chain stores.
There are more available funds. Dried fruits contain much more iron than fresh fruits, so you can easily make a "concentrate" at home.
Mix dried apricots (or dried apricots), raisins (you can add prunes), walnuts, lemon and honey. In a meat grinder or in a combine, grind everything into a homogeneous mixture. Take a teaspoon 3 times a day before meals.
It will not be superfluous to drink rosehip infusion instead of tea, which also contains a lot of iron, not to mention the fact that rosehip is the champion in vitamin C content. And vitamin C improves the absorption of iron by an order of magnitude, just like (but not dairy products!)
The hemoglobin level is very important indicator in human blood, because its decrease can lead to general malaise. A decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood leads to the fact that in all organs and tissues there is a lack of oxygen, which leads to increased load on the heart, respiratory organs, and blood vessels. All this can lead to reduced immunity and depletion of the body. To prevent in time backfire low hemoglobin, you need to know the causes and recognize the signs of the disease.
Symptoms of low hemoglobin in the blood
Although a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood is not specific disease, but still has a number of specific signs and symptoms in humans. You can detect a drop in the level after passing a general blood test, but they can induce you to unscheduled delivery the following symptoms low hemoglobin:
- frequent migraines;
- weakness;
- drowsiness;
- asthenia ( fast fatiguability, impotence);
- shortness of breath and disturbances heart rate;
- inattention and impaired memory;
- lowering blood pressure;
- lack of appetite;
- irregular menstruation(in women), problems with potency (in men);
- fainting (with severe course).
All of these symptoms result from oxygen starvation, as well as disorders of carbon dioxide metabolism in the body and regulation acid-base balance. But there are more critical signs of low hemoglobin that can be dangerous to human health:
- respiratory failure;
- vomiting and diarrhea;
- paleness and peeling of the skin;
- severe dry hair, hair loss and slow growth;
- brittle nails and the presence of spots and fungal infections on them;
- crackles and sores in the corners of the lips;
- immunosuppression and permanent colds;
- cramps and tingling in the legs;
- distortion of taste, smell, strange taste preferences (I want to eat chalk, lime, clay or even earth, and the smell of acetone or, for example, gasoline seems pleasant).
In case of any of the above manifestations, it is necessary to consult a doctor, pass the appropriate tests and, if necessary, begin treatment and recovery.
Reasons why hemoglobin drops
For the normal formation of hemoglobin in the blood, certain conditions in the body must be observed, the malfunctions of which become the reason why hemoglobin decreases. Let's examine these factors in more detail.
What causes low hemoglobin? The main danger lies in the fact that human organs and tissues are not sufficiently nourished and saturated with oxygen. If a person has low hemoglobin, symptoms appear quickly and a number of unpleasant ailments appear in a person, malfunctions occur in immune system, colds overtake more and more often, and even lead to complications. If the hemoglobin level is slightly lowered, then the problem can be solved relatively quickly, using proper diet. But unfortunately on early stages it is quite difficult to diagnose anemia, because there may be no signs of low hemoglobin, and in advanced cases it is much more difficult to restore it.
Nutrition that eliminates the decrease in hemoglobin in the blood
If hemoglobin is not critically low, most often this deviation can be corrected by normalizing your diet.
Iron is an element in our blood that is able to carry oxygen to organs and cells. A decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood is due to a lack of iron in the body. Therefore, it is very important that the diet is complete, varied and includes foods rich in iron.
- Give up coffee and strong tea for a while.
These drinks impair the body's absorption of iron.
- Rosehip decoction.
If the usual tea is replaced with rosehip broth, this will not only speed up the healing process, but also strengthen the immune system and refresh the body tone. natural juices will also become a useful "coffee substitute" at least for the duration of treatment.
- Say no to milk, nuts, soy and semolina.
These foods also interfere with the proper saturation of blood cells with iron.
- Vegetables.
Potatoes, beets, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin, spinach are extremely useful for symptoms of low hemoglobin.
Beets are the leader of vegetables that can stop the decrease in hemoglobin and overcome anemia.
- Fruits.
Symptoms of low hemoglobin can be eliminated by proper fruit nutrition. Dried fruits have a high iron content; among fresh fruits, pomegranates, raspberries, peaches, quince, persimmons, pears, kiwis and apples can be distinguished.
- Meat.
Among the varieties of meat, veal is the most saturated with iron. However, both beef and pork are no less effective. Liver, tongue, white chicken meat and other meat products significantly increase hemoglobin in the blood.
- Cereals.
Beans, buckwheat, lentils, oatmeal, peas are the most distinguished among cereals in terms of iron content.
Folk recipes
Currently, there are many drugs and treatments aimed at normalizing hemoglobin in the blood. For example, thanks to a properly performed blood transfusion with low hemoglobin, the consequences of such an intervention can eliminate the disease completely and in as soon as possible.
However, folk methods treatments work better pharmaceutical products. To eliminate signs of low hemoglobin in the blood, you can use following recipes.
- Herbal decoctions.
Herbs are eternal helpers that help us cope with many diseases and abnormalities. For the treatment of low hemoglobin, decoctions of St. John's wort and blackberries are very effective. Grind 2 blackberry leaves and add to the herb of St. John's wort, which should be about 1.5 times more in quantity, add the white yasnitka grass to the mixture in the same amount as the blackberry leaves.
Fill the collection with boiling water and insist at least three hours. The resulting decoction should be taken 3 times a day for a month or until hemoglobin returns to normal.
- Clover
3-4 heads of this plant must be poured with 200 ml of boiling water and insisted for about an hour. Decoction to drink three times a day for half a cup before meals.
- Green walnuts.
We will need 2 cups of chopped nuts and 1.5 kg of honey. Mix the ingredients, store in a dark place for about a month. Sometimes the mixture needs to be stirred. This mixture should be taken three times a day for half an hour before meals. It is stored in the refrigerator.
To eliminate the causes and consequences of low hemoglobin, it is necessary to take tests and find the root of the problem, why low hemoglobin in the blood. Eat iron-rich foods and donate blood at least once a year for your peace of mind. Take care of yourself!
Hemoglobin is a complex protein found in red blood cells. Its main function is the transport of gases, namely oxygen and carbon dioxide. A decrease in the level of this substance negatively affects the functioning of the body. Therefore, many are interested in the question of what are the main causes in women. After all, this condition requires the help of specialists.
Basic in women
In fact, changes in the level of this protein can be caused by exposure various factors external and internal environment. But quite often the reason is the loss a large number blood:
Nevertheless, a low level of hemoglobin in women may also indicate certain diseases or malfunctions of certain organ systems:
Anemia during pregnancy is caused by the increased needs of the body of the mother and child. In any case, with proper nutrition and proper treatment from such a pathology can be quite easy to get rid of.
Signs of low hemoglobin in women
In fact, anemia develops slowly (except in cases of massive bleeding). A decrease in the level of this protein affects well-being: patients complain of increased fatigue and constant weakness, drowsiness. In some cases, dizziness and headaches appear. Sometimes you can notice a decrease in blood pressure and increased heartbeat. As the disease progresses, the skin becomes pale. In the presence of similar symptoms you need to contact a specialist and take a blood test. This is the only way to diagnose the disease and treat it.
Situations when a person is faced with a low level of hemoglobin, or anemia, are not at all uncommon. Most often, this is due to insufficient intake of iron with food or its increased consumption. How to understand what you have low maintenance hemoglobin in the blood? What means exist to raise it? Let's take a look at these questions.
Why does hemoglobin fall?
by the most common causes decrease in hemoglobin are:
- insufficient intake of iron with food (following diets, lack of foods containing iron in the diet - meat, milk, fruits)
- increased need for iron (this is a period of intensive growth in children, the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding in women)
- iron loss with heavy menstruation
- condition after surgery, accompanied by blood loss
- condition after severe injuries and fractures
- postpartum period in women
- diseases accompanied by blood loss (nosebleeds, peptic ulcer, chronic hemorrhoids and others)
- blood diseases
- diseases in which the absorption of iron in the intestines is impaired (inflammation of the small and large intestines - enteritis and colitis)
- oncological diseases
In any case, if a low hemoglobin content is detected in a clinical blood test, this requires clarification of the cause. Only after installation accurate diagnosis methods that increase hemoglobin can be used.
Signs of low hemoglobin:
A normal hemoglobin level is considered to be at least 120 g / l. Low level hemoglobin will help you suspect the following signs:
- Pallor skin and mucous membranes. In order to assess the condition and color of the mucosa, you can move the lower eyelid of the eye. The mucous membrane there must always be saturated bright red colors. If you see mucous pale color, then this is an occasion to check your hemoglobin.
- Dizziness and fainting. Hemoglobin is an oxygen carrier, and if its level is low, then the brain experiences oxygen deficiency. Therefore, when you perform even a normal exercise, the body requires an increased supply of oxygen, which blood with low hemoglobin is unable to provide. Lack of oxygen causes dizziness.
- Shortness of breath and palpitations. The body strives to compensate for the lack of hemoglobin by making the blood move faster. This causes compensatory shortness of breath and an increase in heart rate.
- Increased fatigue and drowsiness.
- The appearance of "jam" or cracks in the corners of the mouth.
- The appearance of strange taste preferences (a person may be drawn to eat, for example, a piece of chalk) and addictions to certain smells (paint, acetone, etc.).
- Dry skin, brittle nails and hair loss.
Any of these signs is a reason for surrender clinical analysis blood.
How to raise the level of hemoglobin?
exist medications containing iron in a special, easily digestible form. In addition, at severe anemia iron preparations can be administered intramuscularly. Medications should be monitored by blood tests. But iron preparations are not always well tolerated, and in any case, one should strive to raise the level of hemoglobin. naturally. And they can help you with this.
products with high content gland.
This is primarily meat and meat products, liver, fish. One of the ancient treatments for anemia was the daily ingestion of beef liver.
One of folk recipes is the daily use of a mixture of beetroot, carrot and lemon juices in equal proportions. It is necessary to drink a glass of this juice every day.
A large amount of iron is also found in strawberries, wild strawberries, black currants, and blueberries.
Useful for anemia pomegranate juice, seafood, fish caviar.
A large amount of iron is also found in buckwheat, beans, peas.
But it should be remembered that iron is much better absorbed by our body if it comes from animal products. Iron from apples, carrots and other fruits and berries is absorbed much worse.
Once again, I would like to emphasize that you should not self-medicate, because anemia can be a sign of a serious illness. Treatment should be prescribed and carried out under the supervision of a physician.
A decrease in hemoglobin is a condition that can only be known as a result of laboratory method diagnostics. To do this, it is enough to give general analysis blood.
A decrease in hemoglobin can be suspected by some non-specific signs. And the doctor should find out about the reasons for the appearance of such a condition, diagnose and prescribe treatment for low hemoglobin.
What is hemoglobin and what is the normal level?
Hemoglobin is a special type of protein that contains iron. It can reversibly bind with oxygen, transferring it to tissues, getting rid of it there, and capturing carbon dioxide formed as a result of tissue vital activity. Thus, hemoglobin is a carrier protein.
The minimum normal level for women is 120 g / l, for men it is slightly higher - 130 g / l, for pregnant women 110 g / l, and in children it varies depending on age. A decrease in hemoglobin to 90 g / l is called mild degree anemia, up to 70 - medium, and below - severe.
A decrease in indicators below the specified limits is also called anemia, the degree of which depends on its level.
Why does hemoglobin decrease?
The causes of anemia depend on the underlying disease.
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Doctors opinion...
Blood loss?
Bleeding can be both overt and covert.
A sharp decrease in hemoglobin occurs as a result of profuse blood loss. In this case, it is more difficult for the body to adapt and the symptoms appear more clearly. The level of anemia depends on the degree of blood loss.
Chronic diseases, accompanied by constant blood loss of a small amount of blood, cause a less noticeable clinical picture. At the same time, even a decrease in hemoglobin to 80 g/l can occur against the background of a relatively well-being.
Diet?
Lack of iron, B12 and folic acid in food also contribute to a decrease in hemoglobin. This usually occurs against the background of changes in the diet associated with weight loss, body cleansing, sudden vegetarianism. There is a change in blood counts not immediately, first spent internal resources organism. Such anemia is easily stopped by replenishing the intake of iron.
Chronic diseases?
Some diseases of the stomach and small intestine accompanied by impaired iron absorption. More often this pathology occurs in old age. Possible infectious nature (helminthiasis).
Some kidney diseases, accompanied by a decrease in erythropoietin, pathology thyroid gland, cirrhosis of the liver and disorders of the hematopoietic system of the body are accompanied by the development of anemia.
What is characterized
In acute blood loss, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and weakness come to the fore. If the volume of blood loss is large, blood pressure may decrease.
Signs of low hemoglobin chronic pathology- weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, tinnitus and dizziness. The dystrophic consequences of anemia are the fragility of nails and hair.
Symptoms of low hemoglobin in the form of cramps and tingling in the legs, disorders menstrual cycle and libido are also nonspecific, but may help to suspect anemia.
How is it treated
Treatment of low hemoglobin implies, first of all, the elimination of the cause of its occurrence. If a dietary disorders compensate quite easily, then the treatment of pathology of the gastrointestinal tract can take a long time.
So symptomatic therapy starts from the first day of detection of anemia. Beyond Recovery normal indicators hemoglobin, the goal of treatment is to replenish iron stores in the depot organs. 
Transfusion of blood and blood substitutes
This is an extreme, forced method of treating low hemoglobin. The question of transfusion of blood and blood substitutes arises in case of acute blood loss of more than 200–250 ml. A person in such a situation needs urgent hospitalization and the need for a blood transfusion is decided by a doctor or a council of doctors, depending on the severity of the condition, blood pressure level, pulse rate and other criteria.
Sometimes hemoglobin values do not have time to drop (large one-stage acute blood loss For example, during surgery or postpartum period), and blood transfusion is already starting. Less danger of development allergic reactions fresh frozen plasma possesses, however, the choice of the transfused medium is also carried out by the doctor. Before any transfusion of blood or blood substitutes, it is imperative to determine the blood group and conduct a test for individual compatibility.
Diet
A complete diet that compensates for the deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid is the basis of treatment for any type of decrease in hemoglobin. Boiled liver, beef, fish are popular. Vitamin C is another catalyst for the formation of hemoglobin, so eating foods rich in vitamin C promotes faster absorption of iron. Among them it is worth noting blackcurrant, citrus. Greens, vegetables and fruits are a tasty addition to the diet with low hemoglobin.
If a blood transfusion has been performed, eating foods high in iron, vitamins B12, PP, C, and folic acid is the next step in treatment when adequate nutrition is possible.
The daily dose of iron to restore low hemoglobin should be 100-300 mg, depending on the degree of anemia. The approximate duration of therapy is 3-6 months and continues after the normalization of indicators for another 2-3 months to restore iron stores in the depot. Treatment is carried out under the control of a whole list of blood tests: in addition to hemoglobin and red blood cells, they monitor the dynamics of the color index and the level of iron in the serum. After normalization of indicators, the dosage medicinal product are halved.
Preparations to compensate for iron deficiency are in the form intravenous injections(used for more severe blood loss, with a faster effect) and in the form of tablets.
The first group of funds is dispensed by prescription. It is recommended to use them in a hospital due to the high risk side effects in the form of an allergic reaction.
Popular over-the-counter drugs include Sorbifer durules, Fenyuls, Maltofer, Totema and others.
- Fenyuls is available in the form of capsules and contains 0.15 g of iron in the form of sulfate, as well as vitamins B2, B6 and C.
- In the preparation Sorbifer durules 0.32 g of iron and vitamin C, the release form is a dragee.
- Maltofer is available as a solution, syrup and chewable tablets which is convenient different categories patients. The latter contain 100 mg of iron.
- Totem - solution for oral administration containing 50 mg of iron, as well as copper and manganese.
Choice iron-containing preparation, and also, if necessary, the appointment of vitamin B12 in the form of an injection, is done by the doctor, depending on the disease against which anemia occurred, and the degree of decrease in hemoglobin.
Thus, both the detection and treatment of low hemoglobin is important to carry out with the help of a doctor. This task is quite feasible, the main thing is to establish the cause of anemia.
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