Do you feel tired by evening, get dizzy on standing, or look pale? Many women assume this is just “weakness” from busy lives. Often, it is anaemia, and it is very common.
How common is it?
According to the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21), about 57 percent of women aged 15 to 49 in India are anaemic, up from 53 percent in the previous survey. The rate is about 52 percent among pregnant women. It is one of the biggest nutritional problems in the country.
Signs
- Tiredness, weakness and breathlessness on stairs.
- Pale skin, nails and inner eyelids.
- Dizziness, headache, palpitations.
- Hair fall, brittle nails.
- Craving ice or clay (pica).
- Cold hands and feet.
Common causes
- Not enough iron in food.
- Heavy periods.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Worm infections and bleeding piles or stomach ulcers.
- Low B12 or folate.
- Coeliac disease or other gut problems.
Get tested
A simple blood test shows haemoglobin. Your doctor may also check ferritin, B12 and other tests. Anaemia that does not respond to iron needs further checks.
Iron-rich Indian foods
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach, amaranth, drumstick leaves.
- Dal, rajma, chana, soya.
- Ragi, bajra, jowar.
- Jaggery in small amounts (it is still sugar), dates, sesame.
- Eggs, liver, fish, chicken, for non-vegetarians.
Tips to absorb more iron
Add vitamin C (lemon, amla, orange, guava) to meals. Avoid tea and coffee with meals, as they block iron. Cooking in an iron pan can add a little iron.
Iron tablets
If your doctor prescribes iron tablets, take them as advised, usually for three months or more. They may darken stools and can upset the stomach. Do not stop when the haemoglobin rises. The body also needs to refill its stores. Never take iron tablets without testing, as too much can harm.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, you can see us for women’s health concerns in a friendly, private setting. Contact us to book a visit.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- International Institute for Population Sciences. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21: India report. http://rchiips.org/nfhs/
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Anemia Mukt Bharat: Intensified National Iron Plus Initiative. https://anemiamuktbharat.info
- World Health Organization. Anaemia fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemia