is a specific protein containing iron. It is vital for the body. Due to its iron content, hemoglobin transports oxygen and carbon dioxide through the bloodstream, ensuring gas exchange in the tissues of the body.

As soon as hemoglobin decreases, oxygen starvation and anemia begin, which is popularly called anemia. However, this condition is not related to the amount of blood, it is based on a lack of hemoglobin or red blood cells.

A huge number of people experience low hemoglobin levels. It is observed in children, pregnant women, the elderly, and also after surgery. The causes of this condition can be various, both pathological and physiological.

Treatment is required only if the level is critically low; in other cases, the problem can be solved with proper nutrition with a high iron content.

It is possible to determine why it is falling only after a series of analyzes and tests. Doctors try to find the reason for the decrease in hemoglobin if nutrition and iron supplements do not help.

The most commonly cited causes of low hemoglobin are:

1. Poor nutrition. often occurs in people on strict diets, as well as in vegetarians, since most of the protein and iron comes from meat.
2. A period of increased need for iron. Such periods are considered to be the period active growth in young children and adolescents, the time of bearing a child, breastfeeding. Hemoglobin levels may be slightly lower at this time.
3. Blood loss. Anemia is observed in people who have undergone surgery, after injuries, and in women during the postpartum period. Hemoglobin remains low for some time and then normalizes on its own.
4. Intestinal diseases. In inflammatory diseases of the thin tissue, iron absorption is significantly reduced. Anemia appears even if the diet is correct and the amount of iron entering the body is sufficient.
5. Diseases of the blood and bone marrow. The cause of a lack of hemoglobin may be a disease of the bone marrow, which loses some functions and cannot produce blood cells in full. Deficiency leads to anemia.
6. Heavy menstruation. Women who have long and heavy periods for hormonal reasons may suffer from chronic anemia.

Some reasons for a decrease in hemoglobin may be associated with serious chronic diseases, oncology, therefore chronic anemia requires careful examination and treatment.

Symptoms and consequences of iron deficiency anemia

Anemia can only be reliably determined using. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia may be vague and may not appear immediately. At first, the disease is asymptomatic.

The main signs of low hemoglobin levels include the following symptoms:

• Pale skin. With anemia, the skin becomes pale, the same goes for the mucous membrane. To make sure that the skin and mucous membrane are paler than normal, you need to move back the edge of the lower eyelid. If the mucous membrane is bright red, there is no anemia, but if it is pale, the lack of hemoglobin is obvious.
• Dizziness and fainting. With low hemoglobin, brain tissue begins to suffer from oxygen starvation, so headaches, dizziness and even fainting may occur.
• Increased fatigue, weakness, drowsiness. A person with anemia often experiences a loss of strength, muscle weakness, and constantly feels sleepy even after a long rest.
• Shortness of breath, tachycardia. The body tries to make up for the lack of hemoglobin, so the heart begins to pump blood more actively, which leads to tachycardia and shortness of breath even in a calm state.
• Cracks in the corners of the mouth. One of the signs of anemia is the appearance of so-called “jams” in the corners of the mouth. Small cracks that constantly bleed most often indicate a lack of hemoglobin in the blood.
• Deterioration of the condition of the skin, hair, nails. With anemia, the skin becomes dry, nails become brittle, and hair becomes split. Cosmetic procedures will have a temporary effect.

Anemia cannot be considered a harmless disease. In the absence of treatment and a long course of the disease, various complications can occur. One of the common consequences of anemia is decreased immunity. A person often begins to suffer from infectious diseases, since a decrease in the number of red blood cells invariably leads to a decrease.

Anemia can lead to nervous disorders. The person becomes irritable, whiny, and his memory is impaired. Children may experience delayed intellectual development.

Diagnosis and drug treatment

Since anemia has many varieties, diagnosis is aimed not only at identifying the causes, but also at differentiating the type of anemia. Most often, a standard blood test is prescribed to measure hemoglobin levels.

In an adult, it should be 90 g/l or higher. If the indicator drops below this level, anemia is indicated. A decrease in the rate to 30-40 g/l is considered a life-threatening condition.Tests to determine anemia also include a transferrin test. This is a protein that is the main carrier of iron in the body. If its level is elevated, this indicates iron deficiency in the body.

If anemia is suspected, a blood test is often prescribed to determine the level of vitamin and, since these vitamins are responsible for the normal process of hematopoiesis.

Anemia is not often considered as a separate disease; it is most often considered either a symptom or a secondary disease.

Treatment, as a rule, is prescribed only for serious types of anemia:

1. Iron supplements. Iron supplements are prescribed only for oral administration. Even with severe anemia, intravenous and intramuscular administration of these drugs is undesirable, as a severe allergic reaction may occur. Most of the iron is absorbed in the intestines, so tablets and capsules are recommended. The dosage and duration of the course depend on the severity of the condition and the age of the patient.
2. AT 12. Vitamin B12 is prescribed for B12 deficiency anemia. It is recommended for oral administration or as intramuscular injections.
3. Ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is prescribed for oral administration. It improves the absorption of iron in the intestines, so it is prescribed simultaneously with iron supplements.
4. Blood transfusion. In case of serious blood loss, a donor blood transfusion is prescribed. In this case, other attempts to increase hemoglobin levels will be ineffective.

In some cases, other vitamins and multivitamin complexes may be prescribed to strengthen the body and increase hemoglobin levels.

Traditional methods of treating anemia

Treatment of anemia is most often complex. The doctor will recommend medications, prescribe a diet, and advise walks in the fresh air. Folk remedies for treating anemia are often recommended as part of complex therapy.

It is worth remembering that folk remedies are also medicines. They have a number of contraindications and require compliance with the dosage. Some products can cause severe allergies and are prohibited for use during pregnancy and.

The best folk recipes:

• Vitamin cocktail. To prepare such a cocktail, you need to mix pomegranate, lemon, apple and carrot juices. You need to use freshly squeezed juice, not powdered juice. Drink 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons. Cannot be consumed a large number of fresh juices, as this can harm the stomach and pancreas. Leftover cocktails can be stored in the refrigerator in a closed container.
• Sandwich mix. This mixture is recommended for those with anemia associated with sudden weight loss. To prepare the mixture, mix green apples (6 pieces, chopped) with lard, heat this mixture in the oven. Then mash some egg yolks with sugar and chocolate. Pass the apple and lard through a meat grinder and combine both mixtures. You can use the resulting mixture several times a day until improvements appear.
• Garlic. Garlic is used to treat many diseases, but not everyone can eat it in its pure form. In this case, we can recommend garlic tincture. Pour peeled garlic (300 g) with a liter of alcohol and leave for 2-3 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. This tincture will not only increase hemoglobin levels, but will also help rejuvenate the body.
• Yarrow. Yarrow herb needs to be poured with boiling water, left for an hour, cooled and strained. You can take it instead of infusion alcohol tincture yarrow, but before that dilute it with water.

Care must be taken when treating anemia folk remedies in young children. Before using the product, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.

Nutrition to increase hemoglobin levels

Blood levels largely depend on proper nutrition. Regardless of the type of anemia, diet is very important. It contributes to the overall strengthening of the body and immunity.

Comprehensive treatment of anemia necessarily includes nutritional recommendations.Diet can also help prevent the development of anemia.

To maintain the level of hemoglobin in the blood at the desired level, it is recommended to adhere to basic nutritional rules:

1. Meat is good for anemia, but not in any form. The best source of iron is red meat, but it is better not to eat it in the form of barbecue. Beef and lamb are recommended. Chicken and pork are less digestible and contain less iron.
2. Fructose improves the absorption of iron, so it is recommended to eat fruits and honey. Their quantity can not be limited if there are no stomach diseases.
3. Alcohol is believed to be beneficial in small quantities. You can drink dry red wine, but it is better to avoid drinking carbonated alcoholic drinks. Alcohol abuse makes the situation worse.
4. Recommended cereals for consumption: millet, buckwheat, rice. They can be eaten as porridges or side dishes for meat.
5. Sausage, canned food and frankfurters do not cause any harm to anemia, but there is little benefit from them, since the protein and iron content in them is minimal. It is better to replace them with homemade sausages.
6. Immediately after eating meat, it is not recommended to drink tea, strong coffee, or fiber. These products impair the absorption of iron into the intestines. You can eat bread with bran no earlier than 2 hours after eating meat.
7. In addition to iron, you should regularly eat foods containing vitamin C. These foods include tomato and pomegranate juice, green vegetables, and citrus fruits. Fresh vegetables can be eaten at the same time as meat as a side dish.

Read more about how to treat anemia traditional methods you can find out from the video:

Nutrition is not always enough to treat anemia. But even when taking medicines Doctors recommend following a diet, as it enhances the effect of treatment and prevents relapses.

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein that transports blood to body tissues. A decrease in its level causes oxygen depletion of all body cells and weakened immunity. To prevent a decrease in hemoglobin, you need to know what to do if there is a lack of iron in the body. Let's figure out in what cases the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, what its norms are different people and what ways to compensate for the lack of this substance.

Symptoms and signs of low hemoglobin in the blood

Externally, without tests, low hemoglobin in the blood cannot be determined. For a long time, signs of iron deficiency anemia may be completely absent and only after a large decrease in the substance become noticeable. The most striking symptoms of hemoglobin deficiency include:

• dizziness, weakness, apathy, tinnitus;
• shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, feeling of lack of air;
• headache, drowsiness, fainting;
• dryness, pallor;
• hair loss or dullness;
• frequent thirst;
• chapped lips;
• insomnia;
• impaired taste or poor appetite (with iron deficiency anemia, people often refuse vegetables and meat dishes, eating only cereals and milk);
• fragility, fragility and layering of nails, the appearance of white spots on the nail plate;
• frequent migraines, headaches;
• severe muscle weakness, pain during exercise;
• increased sweating;
• addiction to unusual smells (the aroma of acetone, exhaust fumes, paint begins to attract).

Normal hemoglobin level in blood

The condition of the whole organism depends on the level of hemoglobin, so it is necessary to monitor it. The unit of measurement for this substance is usually considered to be grams per liter (g/l). The normal value of hemoglobin in the blood depends on the gender and age of the person:

• For women, the normal amount of iron-containing protein should be 117-161 g/l. Depending on quantity and duration menstrual flow this figure is subject to change.
• For men, the norm of hemoglobin in the blood varies from 132-174 g/l. Males are exposed to constant physical activity, play sports more often, and have an increased concentration of the sex hormone testosterone, so their level of red blood cells will be slightly higher.
• In pregnant women, the hemoglobin norm ranges from 110 to 150 g/l.
• For children, the normal amount of iron-containing protein depends on age. In newborn children it ranges from 145 to 220 g/l, then hemoglobin decreases and by 1-2 months it is 90-135 g/l, and by the end of 1 year it reaches 105-145 g/l. The same norm remains at the age of 2 years, by six years it increases slightly and becomes 110-150 g/l. Further (by 14-15 years), the normal hemoglobin level is considered to be 115-155 g/l.

Causes of low hemoglobin levels in the blood

Iron deficiency anemia does not just happen. It is a symptom of a number of different diseases or provoked by a number of reasons. The most common are:

• A side effect from taking certain medications (such as aspirin or ibuprofen).
• Regular blood donation by donor.
• Pregnancy accompanied by frequent toxicosis.
• A consequence of uterine bleeding after childbirth, during breastfeeding, and the menstrual cycle.
• Not proper nutrition. For example, vegetarians or people who eat no animal products may be iron deficient.
• Stress.
• Smoking.
• Physical exercise.

Diseases accompanied by low hemoglobin in the blood:

Replenishing the lack of iron in the blood is not an easy task. When treating, it is necessary to take into account the causes of anemia, its severity, and the general health of the patient. Depending on the level of hemoglobin in the blood, there are 4 stages of anemia:

• Mild degree. Hemoglobin was slightly reduced, by 10-15% of normal.
• Average degree. Hemoglobin is 70-90 g/l.
• Severe degree. Hemoglobin is reduced to 40-50% of the required norm.
• Extremely severe and can be fatal. Hemoglobin decreases below 50 g/l.

Before treating anemia, you need to do a blood test. First, for a speedy recovery, it is necessary to eliminate the cause, and then restore the concentration of iron in the blood serum. For this, various medications, proper diet, folk tinctures and decoctions are prescribed. Let's look at the main methods of treatment for iron deficiency anemia.

Drug treatment. Nowadays, many drugs and iron injections have been developed that stabilize hemoglobin levels. But their dosage should not be high, so as not to cause intolerance. The daily value of iron varies from 110 to 300 mg. When taking medication it is possible side effects: diarrhea, dizziness, vomiting, nausea. The course of treatment and medications should be prescribed by a doctor after diagnosing iron deficiency anemia.

Nutrition. With low hemoglobin, our body does not absorb vitamins and iron. To increase their concentration, you need to eat foods containing these elements. Iron can be divalent (found in meat) and trivalent (found in plant foods). During prolonged heat treatment of food, iron oxidizes and becomes unsuitable for hemoglobin synthesis. The best products are:

• meat - veal liver, boiled pork, lamb;
• solid cereals, buckwheat, oatmeal;
• greenery;
• fish, seafood;
• berries – mulberries, strawberries, blueberries;
• raisin;
• eggs;
• fruits - pomegranates, bananas, apples, apricots, pears;
• green vegetables, radishes, beets, tomatoes;
• dairy products;
• juices – pomegranate, carrot, plum, beetroot, apple;
• mineral water.

Coffee, tea and foods that contain a lot of oxalates are prohibited:

• boiled beans;
• chocolate;
• spinach;
• strong broths;
• tangerines.

Folk remedies. There are many methods and recipes tested by the people that help with mild stages of anemia; some products help increase low hemoglobin. But such treatment must be agreed with a doctor. The most popular recipes for replenishing iron deficiency are:

• Every morning eat 100 grams of grated carrots with sour cream.
• Three vegetables to boost low hemoglobin. Grate carrots, beets, radishes in equal proportions and add 1 teaspoon of oil per 200 grams of vegetables.
• Rosehip infusion. Pour 250 grams of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of crushed fruits, let it brew for 6 hours, drink 1 glass a day.

How to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy and lactation

The baby in the mother’s womb is actively growing and developing every day; he needs a constant supply of nutrients and oxygen. The load on the body of the expectant mother during pregnancy increases daily. During this period, every second woman suffers from anemia, which is mild and normal. But to prevent low hemoglobin, pregnant girls are advised to take vitamin supplements and the right amount of food containing animal protein and iron; cereals, vegetables and fruits.

Video: about the causes and consequences of iron deficiency anemia

Regardless of the causes of anemia, low hemoglobin in the blood negatively affects a person’s well-being and the functioning of the entire body. Changes appearance, hormonal levels, digestion, the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and brain cells are disrupted. Timely identification of the causes of low hemoglobin, A complex approach to treatment, proper nutrition will help correct the situation. Why is it important to maintain normal hemoglobin, what are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, what foods help normalize the condition, see the video below.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and make treatment recommendations based on individual characteristics specific patient.

Found an error in the text? Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we will fix everything!

Discuss

Causes of low hemoglobin

The human body cannot exist without oxygen, which is transported to tissues and cells by the iron-containing protein component of red blood cells. If there is not enough of this compound in the blood, the analysis shows low hemoglobin - the causes and consequences of this condition negatively affect the overall health and functioning of individual organs. After all, they have to function in conditions of constant hypoxia.

Functions and norm of hemoglobin

Gas exchange is the most important process in the body. It ensures the conduct of redox reactions that underlie metabolism. Entering the lungs from environment, oxygen molecules attach to red blood cells and are transported through the vessels to tissues in need.

In the opposite direction, hemoglobin takes carbon dioxide from cells to remove it from the body through the respiratory tract. It is the oxygen saturation that determines the color of the blood: arterial - contains oxyhemoglobin, making it bright scarlet; Carboxyhemoglobin carries carbon dioxide, so venous blood has a dark tint.

An adult at rest requires 1.8 - 2.4 g of oxygen every minute. During physical activity, consumption increases many times over. Whether the body can provide itself with vital gas in full depends on the level of hemoglobin in the blood. If he meets age and gender standards, the person is not in danger of oxygen starvation.

Good to know

One for all optimal indicator hemoglobin does not exist. Its concentration varies significantly depending on gender, age and physiological processes in the body. It is highest in the first weeks of life, gradually decreasing in infancy and increasing as the child grows older.

The norm of hemoglobin in the blood - table of indicators

Starting from adolescence, norms differ between genders. The physiological characteristics of the female body associated with reproductive functions lead to a faster depletion of iron reserves than in men. Therefore, women tend to have slightly lower hemoglobin levels. During pregnancy, the norm decreases further.

Men do not lose as much iron, and their sex hormones, androgens, have a stimulating effect on the production of red blood cells. The minimum and maximum hemoglobin values ​​for different categories of patients are presented in the table.

Category	Lower limit, g/l	Upper limit, g/l
men	130	170
women	120	155
pregnant women	110	140
newborns	135	200
infants from 2 to 4 weeks	115	180
infants under 6 months	90	140
children under one year old	105	140
children under 5 years old	100	140
pupils	115	145
teenage girls	112	152
teenage boys	120	160
girls	115	153
young men	117	160
women over 65 years old	120	157
older men	125	165

Causes of low hemoglobin

In 90% of cases, low hemoglobin is a sign of iron deficiency anemia. This syndrome is caused by an excess of iron consumption over its intake into the body. The causes of this condition may be blood loss, lack of an element in food, impaired absorption and ferrotransportation. In conditions of lack of one of its two main structural components, new hemoglobin is not able to be synthesized.

On initial stage There is a hidden iron deficiency, which is characterized by depletion of deposited metal reserves. Latent deficiency does not have pronounced symptoms and is determined only by special tests for the level of serum ferritin. When a clinical blood test shows hemoglobin below normal, the symptoms of anemia are already noticeable, but are not always correctly interpreted by the patient.

Loss of hemoglobin can occur for various reasons:

1. The first and most obvious provocateur is bleeding. Injuries, blood loss during operations, hemorrhoids, and uterine bleeding can cause a sharp drop in hemoglobin. Hidden bleeding that occurs due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and reproductive system slowly and imperceptibly leads to anemia. This same risk group includes active donors who donate blood not from time to time, but on an ongoing basis.
2. The causes of low hemoglobin in children most often lie in poor nutrition. If a child does not receive all the necessary vitamins and microelements from food, iron deficiency occurs much faster than in adults and negatively affects physical and intellectual development. Girls and women also quite often suffer from anemia, torturing their bodies with strict diets. For normal hemoglobin, in addition to iron, the body must receive a sufficient amount of folic acid and vitamin B12.
3. A balanced diet does not provide high level hemoglobin if iron is poorly absorbed from food. Absorption of the element is hampered by pathologies of the digestive system, such as dysbiosis, chronic enteritis, colitis, atrophic gastritis, enzymatic deficiency and other gastrointestinal problems.
4. Autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, and hereditary factors can also affect blood composition. Often the problem is not that the hemoglobin in red blood cells is low, but that the red blood cells themselves die prematurely. By nature life cycle shortened in sick people relative to healthy ones. Anemia often accompanies patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glomerulonephritis, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and other serious pathologies.
5. Hematopoietic diseases qualitatively change the composition of the blood, increasing the ratio of red and white blood cells in favor of the latter. Bone marrow pathologies and leukemia cause severe forms of anemia.
6. A persistent decrease in hemoglobin may be one of the signs of malignant neoplasms. Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, also destroy red blood cells and their constituent proteins.

About 10% of cases of anemia are not associated with iron deficiency. Low hemoglobin may be a congenital condition caused by hereditary hemoglobinopathy.

Reduced hemoglobin in women

The causes of low hemoglobin in women are related to the characteristics of the reproductive system. Women's norms initially underestimated relative to men by 10 g/l and set taking into account monthly blood loss of 15 - 30 g/l. However, with long and heavy menstruation, iron is excreted in much larger volumes. It is difficult for the body to compensate for such a deficiency and maintain concentration at least at the lower limit of normal. Patients with gynecological and endocrine disorders often develop chronic anemia.

During pregnancy, the body’s overall need for iron increases: blood volume increases, a significant portion of oxygen is directed to the development of the fetus and nutrients, which aggravates the drop in hemoglobin levels. Low hemoglobin in pregnant women is a risk factor not only for the health of the expectant mother, but also for the life of the child. Under conditions of hypoxia, fetal tissues suffer, the formation of organs and systems is disrupted, and brain cells die. In severe cases of oxygen starvation, intrauterine death is possible.

According to statistics, up to 30% of patients of childbearing age have latent iron deficiency, and every tenth has anemia. Polymenorrhea, uterine bleeding, fibroids, and childbirth are the main causes of a drop in hemoglobin in young women. In women over 50, posthemorrhagic anemia is less common, but menopause makes its own adjustments to the structure of the blood. As a result of hormonal changes, the concentration of iron-containing protein in red blood cells decreases slightly and remains stable in the absence of serious diseases.

Active loss of hemoglobin begins in women after 40 years of age. Here there are accumulated health problems, and the decline of sexual functions with accompanying endocrine and menstrual disruptions. The body can no longer restore blood cells as quickly as at a young age. Hence the increase in the incidence of anemia in the premenopausal period.

Signs of low hemoglobin

There are no specific symptoms that clearly indicate a decrease in hemoglobin. One can only suspect the development of anemia due to general weakness and external degenerative processes. An organism experiencing oxygen deficiency is characterized by:

• drowsiness;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• bradycardia;
• pallor;
• fainting;
• dry skin and mucous membranes;
• cracks in the corners of the lips;
• brittle nails and hair;
• alopecia;
• impaired sense of smell;
• taste perversions.

With anemia, arterial blood looks lighter, but hemoglobin levels can only be accurately determined in a laboratory. To do this, it is enough to take a clinical blood test and biochemistry. The study of quantitative and morphological characteristics of red blood cells, serum iron concentration, transferrin helps the doctor determine possible reason violations. Before the analysis, you should not smoke, experience excessive physical activity, drink alcohol, or eat heavy food, so as not to distort the test results.

Treatment of low hemoglobin

In conditions of anemic syndrome, immunity suffers, performance, memory, and attention decrease; appearance deteriorates. A person begins to get sick more often and recover more slowly, aging quickly. In severe cases, the patient is so weakened that he cannot work, he develops heart failure and urinary incontinence. Of course, this condition does not appear immediately, and the reasons for low hemoglobin in the blood of such patients are beyond trivial errors in nutrition.

At the latent and initial stages of anemia, it is still possible to prevent the development of pathological iron deficiency by adjusting the diet. It should be based on foods rich in iron, animal protein, vitamins C, B12, and folic acid.

When solving the problem of how to increase low hemoglobin through nutrition, it is necessary to concentrate on foods high in iron and stimulants of hematopoiesis in bone marrow cells. The list of healthy foods includes:

• offal (liver, heart, kidneys);
• red meat, poultry;
• Fish and seafood;
• legumes (lentils, beans, peas);
• buckwheat;
• vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin, onions, lettuce);
• greens (spinach, parsley, dill);
• fruits (apples, pomegranate, bananas, persimmons, quince, plums, apricots);
• dried fruits, nuts;
• black chocolate;
• vegetable and fruit fresh juices.

Dairy

For better absorption of iron, dairy products are temporarily excluded from the menu: cheeses, cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk, condensed milk, sour cream. You can simply space out their intake with iron-containing dishes by at least 5 hours. Tannin binds and removes iron from the body, which means that coffee, tea and alcohol are prohibited drinks for anemia.

If enhanced nutrition does not help, it is recommended to take iron supplements in combination with catalyzing vitamin C: Sorbifer, Maltofer, Ferumlek, Totema. At the same time, B vitamins are prescribed, preferably in the form of a long course of injections (up to 1.5 months), and folic acid tablets.

For hypochromic anemia, hematopoietic therapy is indicated. Erythropoietin and hemostimulin preparations activate the production of red blood cells, especially in combination with exogenous glucocorticosteroids. In a situation of posthemorrhagic anemia, the first priority is to stop the bleeding and, if necessary, replace the volume of lost blood with transfusion. After which the standard treatment regimen is applied.

Difficulties in treating anemia are often created by patients themselves, without promptly consulting a doctor and without undergoing regular medical examinations. One of the goals of preventive examinations is the early detection of abnormal blood composition and low hemoglobin, which are determined by a basic general analysis.

Iron deficiency anemia is a painful condition that is accompanied by a decrease in the mass of red blood cells in the blood and depletion of iron reserves in the body. It is quantitatively characterized by the degree of decrease in hemoglobin concentration.

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing blood protein of a complex structure that acts as a pigment in red blood cells (thanks to it, blood has a characteristic red color). Its main function is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between tissues and lungs to maintain stable metabolism.

A decrease in hemoglobin is characteristic of a third of the world's population. Our article is designed to help you understand the causes and identify the symptoms of low hemoglobin in women and children, because in most cases this problem affects them.

Hemoglobin levels are highly variable and can be affected by various factors. What signs should cause concern? How can you increase hemoglobin? Read on about this and much more.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin associated with iron deficiency anemia are as follows:

• general weakness and drowsiness;
• fast fatiguability;
• muscle weakness;
• frequent headaches, dizziness;
• dyspnea;
• hypotension;
• fainting (in severe cases);
• taste disturbance, characterized by a desire to eat inedible things (chalk or lime, clay, sand, raw meat, dough, etc.);
• distortion of the sense of smell (the smell of acetone, paint, naphthalene, car exhaust gases begins to attract);
• itching in the groin area.

In addition, you may notice external changes, for example:

• dry and pale (sometimes yellow) skin;
• cracks in the corners of the mouth;
• brittle hair and nails;
• hair loss.

And if most of the symptoms are characteristic of many other diseases, then pale (blue) ears or lips are a sure sign of iron deficiency.

What should be the norm?

Monitoring your hemoglobin level is extremely important, because the general condition of the body and well-being depend on it. The unit of measurement for hemoglobin content in blood is grams per liter (g/l). Its rate may vary depending on age, gender and some other characteristics.

The norm of hemoglobin in women is 120-160 g/l. This value largely depends on the abundance of menstrual flow and the accompanying hormonal changes. For men, the norm is 130-170 g/l. It is due to the fact that representatives of the stronger sex have a high concentration of the sex hormone testosterone.

With the onset of pregnancy, a number of changes occur in a woman’s hematopoietic system, because now the mother’s body provides oxygen not only to itself, but also to the unborn baby. The norm of hemoglobin in pregnant women is 110-150 g/l, which is slightly lower compared to the normal value in non-pregnant women.

If hemoglobin in the blood is below normal, then there must be reasons for this. We will consider the most popular of them below.

Causes of low hemoglobin

In most cases, the cause of low hemoglobin in women is the presence of one or another disease. They may be:

• chronic anemia;
• chronic form of gastritis;
• dysbacteriosis;
• autoimmune (for example, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis);
• hepatitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, etc.;
• malignant blood pathologies.

Other causes of low hemoglobin include:

• vitamin B12 deficiency;
• internal and external blood loss (due to prolonged menstruation, abortion, childbirth, wounds, injuries, etc.);
• systematic donation (more than 4 times a year);
• frequent and strict diets, vegetarianism.

What is the danger?

With a low level of hemoglobin, human tissues and organs suffer from lack of oxygen. This primarily affects the functioning of the brain and central nervous system. And organs that receive insufficient nutrition, accordingly, begin to function poorly. The danger is that many of them do not have nerve endings, and therefore do not hurt, signaling to us that there is a problem.

In addition, when the level of hemoglobin in the blood is below average, immunity deteriorates. This leads to severe complications that accompany even a common cold, not to mention more serious diseases.

Most people do not realize the dire consequences of low hemoglobin, paying attention to accompanying signs only when the situation worsens significantly. Therefore, if you notice any symptoms of anemia, you need to get your blood tested as soon as possible to check your hemoglobin level.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy is a common occurrence for many expectant mothers. A significant deviation from the norm can negatively affect the health of both mother and baby. This is fraught with the following complications:

• hypotension of the uterus (decreased contractility of its muscles);
• hypoxia (oxygen starvation of the fetus);
• delay or even cessation of fetal growth and development;
• low birth weight;
• disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory and nervous systems;
• mental and physical disabilities of the child.

The hemoglobin level during pregnancy usually varies depending on the trimester:

• in the 1st – 112-160 g/l;
• in the 2nd – 108-144 g/l;
• in the 3rd – 100-140 g/l.

Gynecologists advise women planning pregnancy and pregnant women to take care of the prevention of iron deficiency in order to prevent the development of anemia.

Low hemoglobin in children

Low hemoglobin in a child not only makes the body vulnerable to infections, but can also affect the deterioration of intellectual and physical development. Therefore, you need to regularly check its level in the blood and take your baby for examinations to the doctor.

Upper and lower limits of normal

The hemoglobin level in children under 18 years of age is differentiated only by age categories, but not by gender, as in adults.

The hemoglobin norm in an infant who is 1-2 weeks old is 125-205 g/l, in a one-year-old child it is 105-145 g/l. Subsequently, the hemoglobin level at both limits increases, on average, by 1-3 g/l per year. Thus, at 6-7 years old it is 110-150 g/l, and at 14 years old it is about 115-155 g/l.

Signs of low hemoglobin in children

It is not very easy to detect low hemoglobin in an infant, preschooler, or even a teenager. Drowsiness, poor appetite, and constant fatigue often seem to parents to be just temporary features, and therefore do not attract close attention. Meanwhile, metabolic disturbances occur due to the fact that the child’s body does not receive the necessary microelements.

The main signs of low hemoglobin levels, in addition to the above, in children are as follows:

• weakness and pallor;
• dizziness;
• no weight gain;
• slow growth;
• changeability of behavior (whims and bad mood);
• frequent colds.

Of course, such symptoms do not always indicate low hemoglobin. However, having discovered at least one of them, it would be useful to take a blood test to clarify the situation.

Why does a child have low hemoglobin?

It is important to understand that children of different ages The hemoglobin norm is different. For example, in infants its level is higher than in adults - 135-195 g/l. This is due to the fact that in the womb the fetus “breathes” through blood, which means it simply needs such a high rate for survival. But from the first weeks of life until reaching 2 months of age, the norm is already 90 g/l.

Low hemoglobin in a child may occur for the following reasons:

• low iron content in the body of the baby or his mother (if we are talking about the period of breastfeeding);
• vitamin B12 deficiency;
• very rapid growth;
• premature birth (baby was born premature);
• frequent infectious diseases or blood diseases;
  - heredity.

Hemoglobin levels above normal also occur in both adults and children.

In the latter, the reason for the increase in its level may be either erythrocytosis (there is more blood in the body, but the vessels cannot cope with such an amount), or ordinary dehydration. It is important to promptly detect the presence of a problem and begin to treat it.

Treatment methods for low hemoglobin levels

More and more people are suffering from anemia, so it is important to know what traditional and folk remedies can promote recovery. Now we will look at the most popular and effective of them.

The essence of emergency treatment

Most often, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment for the patient and gives recommendations regarding diet. However, if the hemoglobin level is below 60 g/l, then a blood transfusion with additional vitamin supplements is prescribed as a therapeutic measure. It allows you to improve performance in the shortest possible time, restoring a person’s performance and well-being.

Blood transfusions with low hemoglobin can be done either in one step (if the levels are not very low) or several times according to a special scheme. In general, transfusion is stressful for the body, so doctors, as a rule, recommend it only in emergency cases, when hemoglobin is consistently low and medications do not help.

When a decrease in hemoglobin is caused by another disease that you are not treating, then a transfusion cannot solve the problem. In addition, it is important not only during treatment, but also after it, to eat a balanced diet every day in order to always keep hemoglobin normal.

How to quickly normalize hemoglobin in an adult

To return its level to normal limits, it is necessary to initially treat the disease concomitant with anemia. In addition, treatment for low hemoglobin should include taking vitamins B12 and B9, as well as enriching the diet with iron and animal proteins.

To improve the situation a little, iron-rich foods should be present in your diet every day:

Want something interesting?

• chicken, liver, kidneys, hearts, pork and beef chops with blood;
• buckwheat, various legumes, etc.;
• vegetables: tomatoes, new potatoes, pumpkin, lettuce;
• fruits: apples, pomegranates, apricots, bananas, strawberries, black currants, persimmons, etc.;
• greens: dill, parsley, spinach;
• natural juices: apple, pomegranate, cranberry, carrot, beetroot;
• seafood, black and red caviar;
• egg yolk;
• nuts (in particular walnuts);
• black chocolate.

However, in advanced cases, foods containing iron cannot completely compensate for its deficiency in the body. Then you need to take pills and intravenous injections.

How to increase a child's hemoglobin

To keep your baby healthy, do not neglect checking your hemoglobin level. Detection of abnormalities at an early stage is the key to a quick and easy recovery.

The method and duration of treatment can only be determined by a doctor, depending on the specific hemoglobin level and the age of the child. Most often, treatment includes taking medications, iron-containing vitamins and a diet, according to which the daily diet includes:

• eggs;
• meat;
• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• dried fruits;
• walnuts.

But the consumption of black tea and cereals will have to be limited due to the fact that they impair the process of absorption of iron by the body. The course of treatment usually takes 14 days, after which a control blood test is done. But remember that you need to know moderation in everything: an excess of iron in the body is just as undesirable as its lack.

Folk remedies

If there is a slight deviation from the norm, help can come from ethnoscience. The remedies described below can restore normal hemoglobin levels in just a week.

Rose hip tincture

1. 1.5 tbsp. l. dry fruits;
2. 250 gr. boiling water;
3. 1 tsp. honey;
4. 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice.

In the evening, the fruits should be crushed in a mortar, and then placed in a thermos and filled with boiling water. Leave it to sit overnight. In the morning, strain the infusion, add honey and lemon juice. This drink is useful for both adults and children. Adults need to drink 1 glass daily on an empty stomach before breakfast, and children need 0.5 glasses a day.

Juice mixes

1. 100 gr. carrot + 100 gr. beet juice;
2. 100 gr. apple + 100 gr. cranberry juice.

You need to drink any of the mixtures once a day. It's very tasty and incredibly healthy!

Healthy gruel

1. 1 tbsp. raw buckwheat;
2. 1 tbsp. walnuts;
3. 1 tbsp. natural honey.

Grind the cereal using a coffee grinder, chop the nuts in a blender. Mix these ingredients and pour honey over them. Take 1 tbsp. l. daily.

Vitamin mixture

1. 1 part shelled walnuts;
2. 1 part dried apricots;
3. 1 part raisins;

Grind all ingredients with a blender or meat grinder, pour in honey. Take a tablespoon three times a day.

What is dangerous about low hemoglobin in adults or children is the high likelihood of having concomitant serious diseases.

Love to walk, walk in the fresh air for at least 3 hours a day, exercise, spend weekends in nature, eat right. But if you follow all these recommendations, and your hemoglobin level is still low, you should urgently consult with a therapist who, depending on the results of tests and examination, will refer you to a gynecologist, infectious disease specialist, nephrologist, oncologist or gastroenterologist.

This material is for informational purposes only; before using the information presented, you must consult with a specialist.

Hemoglobin is a complex protein that can bind oxygen molecules and deliver them to all tissues of our body. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells - red blood cells.

When their number decreases, the body’s supply of oxygen, necessary for the occurrence of biochemical reactions in all our cells, is disrupted. Therefore, with its deficiency, our body suffers. A feeling of fatigue appears, and the skin takes on a pale, bloodless hue. Therefore, one of the names for this condition is anemia, or anemia in other words.

Why this disorder occurs and how to increase hemoglobin if it decreases we will discuss in this article.

Causes of anemia

Anemia is often caused by a lack of iron in the body - so-called iron deficiency anemia. Its cause may be an insufficient amount of iron-containing foods in the daily diet, heavy menstruation, the postpartum and postoperative periods, and bleeding of various types.

At the same time, iron deficiency anemia can occur both against the background of existing diseases and contribute to their development.

Vitamin B12 deficiency and severe dietary restrictions during weight loss through strict diets can also lead to the development of anemia.

The process of iron absorption in the intestines can be disrupted due to dysbiosis, which can also cause a decrease in the number of blood cells. Sometimes a decrease in hemoglobin is a concomitant symptom of serious blood diseases, which are treated by a hematologist.

Symptoms

Among the main signs of low hemoglobin are dizziness, pale skin, weakness, drowsiness, headaches, low blood pressure, and lack of appetite.

A person constantly feels tired and wants to rest, sleep, and warm up. The skin may be cold to the touch. An unhealthy appearance appears with a lack of natural pink tones in the skin.

Frequent viral diseases, muscle pain, tinnitus and cold extremities (arms and legs) can also be symptoms of changes in blood hemoglobin levels. And if you have at least one of the above signs, you should consult a doctor to get a referral for a blood test, which will show all the main indicators, including hemoglobin.

What is the normal level of hemoglobin in the blood?

Normally, hemoglobin in the blood has the following values:
For men - 130-140 g/l.
For women - 120-130 g/l
For pregnant and nursing mothers - 120-140 g/l.

If the indicators are below normal, but there are no serious diseases, you can raise the hemoglobin level quite easily on your own at home using the methods listed below.

Diet for low hemoglobin

If low level red blood cells in the blood is caused by poor nutrition, you should include iron-rich foods in your daily menu.

First of all, this:

• beef liver and tongue;
• strawberries, cranberries, blueberries and black currants;
• grenades;
• beans;
• green apples.

Daily iron requirements depend on gender and age. The table below shows the daily iron requirement for men and women of different ages:

To increase blood hemoglobin, you can add red fish, caviar, seafood, and egg yolk to your diet.

Pears, beets, carrots and juices from these components, dill and parsley, dried porcini mushrooms, nuts and dried fruits, peas and other legumes will also help to quickly increase the number of red blood cells. Don't forget about one of the healthiest porridges - millet. The iron content in buckwheat reaches 31 mg per 100 g of product.

The table below shows the iron content of various foods.

Animal products origin		Vegetable products origin
Name		Name
Pork liver		Hazelnuts
Swiss cheese		Tahini halva
Brewer's yeast		Cereals
Beef liver		Fresh mushrooms
Beef kidneys		Sunflower halva
		Millet groats
Beef tongue
Rabbit meat		Sea kale
Turkey meat		Dried apples
Mutton		Dried pear
Veal		Prunes
Beef
Chicken meat
Mackerel
Chicken egg		Rose hip
Chum salmon caviar
		Dried mushrooms
		Oatmeal
Pasta
Sea fish		Apricots
		Nectarine
		Wheat groats
Breast milk		Wheat flour
		Buckwheat flour
Egg white
Cow's milk		Dried apricots
		Red apples
Butter
		Prunes
		Black currant
		Apples are fresh.
		Parsley
		Semolina
		Gooseberry
		White bread
		Cauliflower
		Fried potato
		Corn
		Boiled potatoes
		Strawberry
		Grape
		Tomatoes
		Orange
		Cowberry
		Mandarin

Nuts with honey and lemon for hemoglobin

For iron deficiency, a mixture of walnuts, dried fruits, honey and lemon helps very well.

To prepare this mixture, take two hundred grams of dried apricots, walnuts, raisins, prunes, and one lemon along with zest. Mix all ingredients and pass through a meat grinder. Pour in honey.

Take one tablespoon three times a day.

Vitamin infusion of rose hips

Vitamin infusion from rose hips increases hemoglobin well.

To prepare it, take a handful of fresh or dry fruits and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Let it brew for one night. In the morning, strain and add honey to taste.

You need to drink the infusion several times a day before meals, 0.5 cups.

Dietary restrictions for anemia

If you are anemic, you should not only include foods high in iron in your daily diet, but also try to avoid certain foods during the entire recovery period normal level blood hemoglobin.

In order for the iron that enters our body with food to be better absorbed, attention should be paid to vitamins.

Vitamins for hemoglobin

1. rosehip;
2. sweet bell pepper;
3. lemon

The table below shows how much vitamin C is found in various foods:

Product Name		Product Name
Vegetables		Fruits and berries
Eggplant		Apricots
Canned green peas		Oranges
Fresh green peas
White cabbage		Cowberry
Sauerkraut		Grape
Cauliflower
Potatoes are stale
Freshly harvested potatoes
Green onion
		Garden strawberries
Sweet green pepper		Gooseberry
Sweet red pepper
		Tangerines
Tomato juice		Red currants
Tomato paste		Black currant
Red tomatoes
		Dried rosehip
		Apples, Antonovka
		Northern apples
		Southern apples
Dairy
		Mare's milk
Goat milk		Cow's milk

As you can see, the absolute record holders for vitamin C content are rose hips, black currants, red Bell pepper and horseradish.

In some cases, additional vitamin C or vitamin B12 is prescribed in tablets or injections. Typically, such vitamin therapy takes 1.5-2 months. If the desired effect is not achieved, the use is extended for another couple of months, slightly reducing the dosage.

Regular meals

Often the cause of anemia is irregular nutrition, which includes “snacks” on the go, which are common for many working people.

Even if you eat foods rich in iron from time to time, it will be very difficult to achieve the desired effect without regular nutrition. The key to recovery is three full meals a day. At the same time, food should be healthy and varied.

Walking in the fresh air helps improve well-being and normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system. So don't forget to take regular walks to replenish your oxygen supplies.

The word “walk” should be understood as active walking, and not sitting on a bench with a newspaper.

Walking in the fresh air is a great way to prevent anemia.

Iron supplements

You can increase hemoglobin in the blood using the above methods in the absence of serious health problems. In these cases, hemoglobin can be raised using the methods listed above, without resorting to medications.

But in some cases, a specialist may prescribe iron supplements in tablets or injections.

Most often in this case, Actiferrin, Hemofer, Ferronal, Totema, Tardiferron, Ferrlecit, Ferronate, Heferol, Hemohelper, Sorbifer, Ferlatum or Maltofer are prescribed.

Never self-medicate and take medications only as prescribed by your doctor. When taking them, the dosage is very important, taking into account individual characteristics, which can only be determined by a specialist based on the results of laboratory blood tests.

Remember that iron supplements are usually taken in the afternoon, without chewing, an hour before meals.

Should be observed the following principles taking iron supplements:

1. do not take iron supplements together with Levomycetin, calcium supplements, Tetracycline, which interfere with the absorption of iron;
2. while taking iron-containing medications, also take agents that improve iron absorption - vitamin C (ascorbic acid), sorbitol, succinic acid, as well as vitamins A, E, B1, B6;
3. the dose of the drug must be strictly selected by calculation for each individual patient;
4. the course of treatment should not be less than 1.5-2 months.

The effect of therapy depends on a number of factors and begins to appear after 3-4 weeks of treatment. And don’t forget that comprehensive measures will help increase hemoglobin. Therefore, carefully review not only your diet, but also your lifestyle - give up bad habits, sign up for a gym or swimming pool, do yoga or aerobic training.

All this will have a positive effect and you will forget about weakness, tachycardia and begin to live a life full of strength and energy.