1.Detailed description of the causes and symptoms of anaemia
Anaemia is a disease that is being caused by the lack of some important vitamins in the body. It is also believed to be as a result of reduction in the level of haemoglobin the body. Anaemia can be caused due to the insufficiency of Iron vitamin in the body and it is the most common type of the anaemia affecting people. It can also be caused by the deficiency or lack of vitamin B12 in the body. Another way anaemia can crawl into the human body is by chronic lead poising and it can also be caused by chronic destruction of red blood cell and sudden red blood cell destruction. We also have what is known as the sickle cell anaemia. All the following types of anaemia are being called by their major causes and each of them has its own symptoms which make people and health practitioners easily detect n the body of the patient. Apart from the fact that each of the types of anaemia has its own symptoms there are some common symptoms of anaemia which are easy fatigue and loss of energy; rapid heart heartbeat that is unusual, most importantly after exercise; headache and shortness of breath that comes with exercise; difficulty in concentrating; feelings of dizziness; pale skin; cramps on legs; and in most cases, insomnia. (Ratini, 2015)
Apart from these popular and general symptoms, there are some symptoms that are unique to each type of anaemia and which can be used by health practitioners and professionals to differentiate different types of diabetes from each other.
Anaemia caused by deficiency of Iron in the body
Ratini (2015), affirms that any individual suffering from anaemia as a result of lack or insufficient iron in his or her body will show symptoms like feeling hungry for unusual things or substances such as ice, paper, dirts. This kind of feeling is known as pica. Another thing is that there would be curvature of the patient’s nails in an upward manner and that is known as koilonychias and there may also be soreness in the mouth of the patient with some visible cracks at the corners of the mouth.
Anemia caused by deficiency of Vitamin B12 in the body
People suffering from anaemia as a result of the lack or insufficient Vitamin B12 in their body will have some symptoms manifest in their body. These symptoms include the feeling of loss of the sense for touch; having a feeling of tingling (pins and needles feeling) in both their hands and feet; they may experience some difficulty in walking or a wonky gait; there may also be stiffness or awkwardness in the movements of the arms and legs and lastly, dementia. (Ratini, 2015)
Anaemia as a result of Chronic Lead Poisoning
Anaemia that generates as a result of chronic lead poisoning have the possibilities of showing different symptoms such as the showing of a lead line (a blue-black line that is seen on the gums); the feeling of abdominal pains; the person may be experiencing constipations and the patient may also be vomiting incessantly.
Anaemia due to Chronic Destruction of Red Blood Cell in the body
There are some cases of anaemia that are being caused by the destruction of the red blood cells in the body of human beings and this type of anaemia shows symptoms like yellowish of skin and eyes also known as the jaundice; brownish or reddish coloration of urine; development of leg ulcer; failure to grow vigorously in infancy and the patient also may be showing the symptoms of gallstones. (Ratini, 2015)
Anaemia due to sickle cell
There are some people that develop anaemia because of sickle cell and the symptoms of sickle cell anaemia may include the feeling of fatigue; patient may be susceptible to infections; a child experience this kind of anaemia may have delay in growing and developing; and there may be scenarios when there will be serious pain in some major parts of the body such as the abdomen, joints and limbs. (Ratini, 2015)
Anaemia caused by sudden destruction of red blood cell
Such as there are symptoms for anaemia caused due to chronic destruction of red blood cells there are symptoms to the ones caused by sudden destruction of the same red blood cells and they include pain in the abdomen; brown and red urine; little bruises beneath the skin; seizure; jaundice and the patients may also be showing the major signs and symptoms of kidney failure.
In general, if anybody discovers any of the following symptoms is being discovered or if the person have breathing issues; poor diet or insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals; unusual heavy menstrual period; exposure to environmental lead and if there is a history of anaemia in the family history. (Ratini, 2015)
2.Impact on life of individual with this condition
It is very difficult and tough to live with anaemia. The symptoms of anaemia include tiredness, fatigue, pains and other life threatening signs and these signs and symptoms have some negative impacts on the body and lifestyle of an individual living with it. It means that when the person gets too tired or worn out, he or she may not be able to perform his or her daily tasks. The person may need to limit his or her work or responsibilities. If the person is capable of going to a grocery store four or five times in a month, the person may be forced to be going just once in a month. If some goes to church four times in a week, the person may be restricted to going to church just once or twice in a week. (Nissenson, 2008)
There are some people that do not feel that bad living with anaemia. They do this by adapting easily to the condition they have found themselves and they get well along by adapting their previous lifestyle to the one anaemia as restricted them to. This may be reduction in their activities and the things they used to get themselves in. Some may even be able to carry out their responsibilities even though they are feeling fatigued. (Nissenson, 2008)
In children, anaemia causes stunted growth and development for them and this reduces their quality of life. It may even, in some ways, causes rejection from other people in the society because people may be willing to play with a more health child than a child with stunted growth or irregular development.
Therefore, it is possible for an anaemic patient to live a good life if he or she can adapt to the new life and get some medications that can help in getting rid of the disease.
3.Nutritional requirements for an individual with anaemia
The occurrence of anaemia in human beings may be due to the absence of vitamins or iron in the body of an individual. Anaemia caused by iron deficiency is the most popular and common type of anaemia in the world. One of the simplest ways to improve anaemia is through the consumption of foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and elements specifically identified as therapeutic for this condition. Because a cardinal symptom of anaemia is the existence of weak or insufficient levels of red blood cells in the body (which transport oxygen), therapeutic nutrition focuses on building stronger blood. To achieve that, a dietary intake rich in iron, vitamins B6 and B12, and other specific nutrients is important to bring about improvement. Other nutrient required for an individual living with anaemia is folic acid. (Chevron notes, 2016)
There are some foods that have all these nutritional requirements in them. These foods include
Fruits
Vegetables
Meats/Protein
Other
Apples
Apricots
Blackberries
Black cherries
Currants
Dark grapes
Mulberries
Peaches
Prunes
Green beans
Leafy greens
Lentils
Lettuce
Mustard greens
Nettles
Parsley
Spinach
Watercress
All red meats
Chicken
Eggs
Liver
Nuts
Pork
Shellfish
Tuna
Bee pollen
Dandelion
Molasses
Sun chlorella
Tahini
Source: Chevron notes, 2016
4.Comprehensive analysis of the nutritional content of foods used to treat anaemia
The section above has well explained the nutritional requirements for an individual living with anaemia. Therefore, these nutritional requirements are found in foods, fruits and different sources for the consumption of human beings that need them. This part will therefore analyse the nutritional content in foods that are being used in the treatment of anaemia.
The treatment of anaemia requires that the patients are fed with foods that are rich in iron, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. (Evans, 2014)
Iron: It is a very important nutritional content need in the foods and intakes necessary for the treatment of anaemia. Iron forms the basis for the production of red colour of the blood cells in the body of human beings. Iron is very important in the transportation of oxygen by blood from the lungs into every other part of the body. It is very effective in the functioning of the body to the extent that if there is little of it in human body it may results to malfunctioning of other organs of the body. (Chevron notes, 2016)
It is important to note that dietary iron is of two forms which are heme and non-heme irons. Heme iron gets its derivation from haemoglobin – the blood protein that is tasked with delivering oxygen to the tissue of the cell. Heme iron can be seen in some animal foods that has haemoglobin such as red meat, poultry meat (with high amounts in the liver of chicken), fish (tuna and halibut), shell fish like oysters, crabs, clams and shrimps, and also in pork. While non-heme iron can be found in plants and they are much more in lentils, soybeans, nuts and seeds, molasses, beans, raisins, spinach and also in iron-fortified and iron-rich foods like breads, oatmeal and cereals (Chevron notes, 2016)
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron is listed in the following table.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron by age and sex.
Age/Group
Life Stage
Iron (mg/day)
Infants
0–6 months
0.27*
7–12 months
11
Children
1–3 years
7
4–8 years
10
Males
9–13 years
8
14–18 years
11
19–30 years
8
31–50 years
8
51–70 years
8
>70 years
8
Females
9–13 years
8
14–18 years
15
19–30 years
18
31–50 years
18
51–70 years
8
>70 years
8
Pregnant Women
14–18 years
27
19–30 years
27
31–50 years
27
Lactating Women
14–18 years
10
19–30 years
9
31–50 years
9
*This value is an Adequate Intake (AI) value. AI is used when there is not enough information known to set a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Source: Chevron notes, 2016
Food Sources of Iron ranked by milligrams of iron per standard amount; also calories in the standard amount. (All amounts listed provide 10% or more of the Recommended Dietary
Allowance (RDA) for teenage and adult females, which is 18 mg/day.)
Food, Standard Amount
Iron (mg)
Calories
Clams, canned, drained, 3 oz.
23.8
126
*Fortified dry cereals (various), about 1 oz.
1.8 to 21.1
54 to 127
Cooked oysters, cooked, 3 oz.
10.2
116
Organ meats (liver, giblets), cooked, 3 oz.
5.2 to 9.9
134 to 235
*Fortified instant cooked cereals (various), 1 packet
4.9 to 8.1
Varies
*Soybeans, mature, cooked, ½ cup
4.4
149
*Pumpkin and squash seed kernels, roasted, 1 oz.
4.2
148
*White beans, canned, ½ cup
3.9
153
*Blackstrap molasses, 1 Tbsp.
3.5
47
*Lentils, cooked, ½ cup
3.3
115
*Spinach, cooked from fresh, ½ cup
3.2
21
Beef, 3 oz.
3.1
215
Beef, bottom round, cooked, 3 oz.
2.8
182
*Kidney beans, cooked, ½ cup
2.6
112
Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 3 oz.
2.5
177
Beef, rib, cooked, 3 oz.
2.4
195
*Chickpeas, cooked, ½ cup
2.4
134
Duck, meat only, roasted, 3 oz.
2.3
171
Lamb, shoulder, cooked, 3 oz.
2.3
237
*Prune juice, ¾ cup
2.3
136
Shrimp, canned, 3 oz.
2.3
102
*Cowpeas, cooked, ½ cup
2.2
100
Ground beef, 15% fat, cooked, 3 oz.
2.2
212
*Tomato puree, ½ cup
2.2
48
*Lima beans, cooked, ½ cup
2.2
108
*Soybeans, green, cooked, ½ cup
2.2
127
*Navy beans, cooked, ½ cup
2.1
127
*Refried beans, ½ cup
2.1
118
Beef, top sirloin, cooked, 3 oz.
2.0
156
*Tomato paste, ¼ cup
2.0
54
Food Sources of iron are ranked by milligrams of iron per standard amount; also calories in the standard amount. (All amounts listed provide 10% or more of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for teenage and adult females, which is 18 mg/day.) Source: Chevron notes, 2016.
Folic Acid: This is one of the B vitamin that is very important in the growth of new cells. It is very vital for the growth of healthy new blood cells. It can be found in sources like banana, asparagus, dried beans, beef liver, bread, cereal, broccoli, eggs, nuts, flour, peas, pasta, oranges, and spinach. (Chevron notes, 2016)
Vitamin B12: When it comes to the building and fortification of blood cells, vitamin B12 is very important and necessary. It can be found in many food sources such as breakfast cereals fortified with B12, animal meats such as beef, liver, fish, poultry and shellfish. (Chevron notes, 2016)
Vitamin B6: It is very useful for the production of red blood cells in the body and it also helps in enhancing the functions of the haemoglobin in the body. Apart from these known functions, vitamin B6 has some other important functions that it performs in the body. There are many sources (both plant and animal) that have much content of vitamin B6 and they include pork, salmon and tuna fish, banana, chicken, peanut butter, beans, vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals. (Chevron notes, 2016)
Vitamin C: One of the major responsibilities of vitamin C in the body is the absorption of iron. It helps to absorb iron needed by the body in the haemoglobin. It can be seen in many food sources such as fresh and frozen fruits, juices and vegetables. Some of the mostly rich content of vitamin C includes citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and grapefruits; Kiwi fruit; apricots; mangoes; strawberries; leafy green vegetables and melons. The dietary sources of the vitamin are as shown in the table below.
Food, Standard Amount
Vitamin C (mg)
Calories
Guava, raw, ½ cup
188
56
Red bell pepper, raw, ½ cup
142
20
Red bell pepper, cooked, ½ cup
116
19
Kiwi fruit, 1 medium
70
46
Orange, raw, 1 medium
70
62
Orange juice, ¾ cup
61 to 93
79 to 84
Green bell pepper, raw, ½ cup
60
15
Green bell pepper, cooked, ½ cup
51
19
Grapefruit juice, ¾ cup
50 to 70
71 to 86
Vegetable juice cocktail, ¾ cup
50
34
Strawberries, raw, ½ cup
49
27
Brussels sprouts, cooked, ½ cup
48
28
Cantaloupe, ¼ medium
47
51
Papaya, raw, ¼ medium
47
30
Kohlrabi, cooked, ½ cup
45
24
Broccoli, raw, ½ cup
39
15
Edible pod peas, cooked, ½ cup
38
34
Broccoli, cooked, ½ cup
37
26
Sweet potato, canned, ½ cup
34
116
Tomato juice, ¾ cup
33
31
Cauliflower, cooked, ½ cup
28
17
Pineapple, raw, ½ cup
28
37
Kale, cooked, ½ cup
27
18
Mango, ½ cup
23
54
Food sources of vitamin C are ranked by milligrams (mg) of vitamin C per standard amount; also calories in the standard amount. (All amounts listed provide 20% or more of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 90 mg/day for adult men.) Source: Chevron notes, 2016.
5.Logical conclusions and recommendations evident
It should be noted that nutritional therapy is important in the improvement and treatment of anaemia irrespective of the specific type or the causative factors of such anaemia. This is due to the fact that the manifestation of anaemia comes due to the weakness and reduction in the red blood cells, and because there are some foods with nutrients (as stated above) that can improve and enhance the production and function of red blood cells.
Since it is important that for effective functioning of these therapeutic nutrients, they must be consumed in the right proportion, I recommend that anaemic patients should visit nutritionist often for guidance and direction in making use of therapeutic foods for the treatment of anaemia. This is very important because the over use or improper use of these foods may not give the desired results.
Another recommendation is that patients should be advised to seek nutritional therapy over any other type of therapy available for anaemia because it is more efficient and with no or little side effects.
References
Chevron notes, 2016.
Ratini, M. (2014) Understanding Anemia Symptoms. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-anemia-symptoms#2 [Accessed 21 January, 2016].
Nissenson, A. (2008) The Challenges of Anemia: Defining It, and Living With It. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-anemia-expert.html [Accessed 21 January, 2016].
Evans, A. (2014) Diets Suitable for People with Anaemia. Available at: http://patient.info/health/diets-suitable-for-people-with-anaemia [Accessed 21 January, 2016].