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Tiredness and general weakness

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Paleness of skin

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Headaches, leg pains and swollen feet

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Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

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Heart palpitations, breathlessness, giddiness

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Dizziness at sudden movements

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Irritability

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Peculiar sensations in the legs along with restlessness that creates strong urge to move them constantly 

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A poor diet (usually not the case in the western world), heavy loss of blood during heavy periods, mal-absorption of iron and vitamins in the intestine or internal bleeding from ulcers, cancer or other gastrointestinal disease is the major cause of iron-deficiency anemia. Remember, it is the iron which is primarily needed to make hemoglobin and they are the iron atoms in the hemoglobin molecule that bind to oxygen and carry it to the tissues.

In the western world, most men get enough iron in their diet, but women of child bearing age, very young children, growing adolescent boys (usually they don’t eat properly) and teenage girls who are on dieting are the ones most susceptible to iron deficiency anemia.

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Hemolytic anemia, in which red blood cells break down faster than they are being replaced. This results in hemoglobin getting collected in the plasma. This premature destruction of the red blood cells can be attributed to various external and internal factors like:

- presence of a chemical poison in your blood stream (e.g. copper, lead, arsenic),

- antibodies to your own RBCs that destroy these cells,

- an enlarged spleen or liver,

- kidney disease,

- some drugs like penicillin, sulpha drugs, quinidine (a quinine derivative),

- excessive jogging, i.e. repetitive pounding, particularly on hard surfaces, may break down red blood cells in the blood vessels of the feet and spill hemoglobin into the bloodstream and urine. Soldiers on long marches are susceptible to similar woes. Playing bongo drums causes the same problem via the sufferer’s hands,

- but the most common cause of hemolytic anemia however, remains malaria.

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Sickle cell anemia is one of the hereditary types of anemias, most common in people coming from African, Mediterranean, Indian and Middle East regions. In this kind of anemia, there is a formation of abnormal hemoglobin or sickle hemoglobin (HbS). These abnormal hemoglobin tend to clump together into long fibers in the red blood cells which eventually take a distinctive sickle shape. These cells are then easily destroyed by the body - hence the big time loss of blood.

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Leukemia, wherein the red blood cell production is impaired. Other anomalies in bone marrow functioning wherein not enough red blood cells are produced include infection, inflammation or kidney disease, exposure to radiation and also some anticancer drugs.

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Inability of the body to absorb vitamin B₁₂ causes pernicious anemia, although as this kind of anemia is quite treatable now, pernicious word is rarely used. It usually occurs due to excessive alcohol intake, worm infestation or some stomach surgery which removed those cells from your stomach which used to secrete substances that helped in proper absorption of vitamin B₁₂.

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Folic acid deficiency anemia usually occurs due to poor diet but also because of certain bowel diseases and a few drugs that interfere with folic acid absorption. As our body has far less reserves of folic acid as compared to vitamin B₁₂, just a few months of improper diet can induce its deficiency. People most prone to it are pregnant women (folic acid requirement in pregnancy increases by as much as tenfold), elderly people and alcoholics.

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Thalassaemia, a hereditary disease, is another form of anemia. In this condition, there is a defective production of hemoglobin that leads to destruction of RBCs more rapidly than usual. It is most commonly found in people of India, South East Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

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Presence of intestinal parasites or worms such as hookworms, round worms, pinworms and tape worms that feed on the supply of blood as well as vitamins.

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Lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach which is vital for the proper absorption of iron and folic acid.

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Eleutherococcus senticosis (Siberian Ginseng) - A botanical cousin of Panax Ginseng, this herb has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for thousands of years to enhance the vital energy of the body and to sharpen physical and mental performance and endurance. Recent research has clinically proven that regular use will help to increase physical and mental performance, withstand stress and boost immune functioning. Siberian Ginseng has been approved by medical authorities in Germany as an invigorating tonic for fatigue and to protect against and recover from illness.

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Calcarea phosphorica (D6) was proved in 1937 by Dr. Constantine Herring, and later chosen as a "tissue salt" by Dr. Wilhelm Schussler later in the nineteenth century. Those that are easily fatigued, have brittle bones and teeth, and tend to become weak and tired after illness would find this ingredient supportive.

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Centella asiatica - This is a well respected herb in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine. A favorite food of elephants, Centella asiatica contains chemicals called triterpines (including asiaticoside), which have the effect of enhancing collagen formation in bones, promoting regrowth of cartilage and connective tissue and promoting healthy blood vessels.

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Ferrum phosphoricum (D6) is a mineral compound of iron and phosphorus. Both elements are present in the body independently; iron aids the exchange of oxygen in the blood, and phosphorus contributes to bone and muscle health. Ferrum phosphoricum was introduced by Dr. Schussler, a German physician who believed that many ailments were caused by a deficiency of biochemic tissue salts. Ferrum phos. is considered good for patients who suffer from conditions accompanied by low energy.

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Olea europea (extract of Olive leaf) - This is used to fight a variety of illnesses and to protect the body against disease, ailments and infection of all types. It is said to be particularly effect against hard to treat illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epstein-Barr Disease and Herpes. Olea europea is also effective in lowering high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol levels. As a powerful anti-fungal, it also fights yeast infections and can reduce candida overgrowth in the system, one of the major causes of fatigue.

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Ferrum metallicum (6C) is the world’s second most common metal. In our bodies, this element is essential in the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells. This remedy was proved by Dr. Hahnemann.

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Fenugreek – Fenugreek’s seeds contain coumarins thereby giving it the tonic effect which helps to combat fatigue and speeds convalescence. Fenugreek is normally sold in tablet or powder form.

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Stinging nettle – Vitamin C which aids iron absorption and iron itself are found to be contained in the leaves of stinging nettle. Infusions, capsules and juices of stinging nettle leaves can be used as a fantastic tonic that should not only provide iron and fight tiredness but also aid in stimulating appetite.

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Have food rich in iron content such as red meat (especially liver and poultry), fish, beet greens (especially for children and teenagers), lettuce (high iron content which is easily absorbed), blackstrap molasses, almonds, brewer's yeast, dried fruit, dried peas and beans and off course, green vegetables. Fortified breakfast cereals also contain reasonable iron content.

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For vegetarians, it is important to take along with their meals, orange juice, tomato salad or something else rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, blackcurrant, vegetables (broccoli, potatoes), red capsicums and chilies, strawberry, kiwifruit, rock melon), which aids iron absorption from plant foods such as pulses and green leafy vegetables.

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Good sources of folic acid (again required in anemia) are green leafy vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leeks, silver beet), liver, pulses, cooked asparagus, breakfast cereal, orange juice, mushrooms.

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Vegetarians should take vitamin B₁₂ supplements in the form of fortified breakfast cereals and fortified Soya drink. Dairy products that contain some vitamin B₁₂ are also beneficial. Non-vegetarians have options in fish, lean meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.

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Avoid refined foods like white bread, polished rice, sugar, and desserts as they make the body iron deficient. Iron should preferably be taken in its natural organic form in food. The emphasis in the diet should be on raw vegetables and fresh fruits which are rich in iron.

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The best preventive measure for anemia is to take iron and vitamins rich diet.

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Never mix tea or coffee with meals as they reduce your capacity to absorb iron.

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Bran, fizzy drinks have the same iron absorption inhibiting effect. So reduce their intake.

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Sickle cell anemia, Thalassaemia, Leukemia etc. are diseases that have very different cures (if any) and information on their individual treatments is beyond the scope of this article.

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A hot Epsom salts bath for ten minutes once a week and an occasional steam bath are extremely useful in anemia. Sunbaths are also beneficial as the sunlight stimulates the production of red cells.