5. Anemia

Anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood below its normal value of 12-14 mg/dL. This results in a decrease in the amount of blood circulating in the patient’s body. Although there are hereditary diseases that cause anemia and bring many problems to those who suffer from them, the main cause of chronic anemia is iron deficiency as a consequence of malnutrition. In my country, malnutrition has long been a serious problem that has worsened over the past 10 years. It is now common for patients who come to public facilities to have very low levels of hemoglobin due to nutritional deficiency. The main dietary source of iron is protein. It is so useful that it is not necessary to take any special supplements. By maintaining an adequate diet, the iron receptors in the blood are kept at adequate levels. However, economic problems, inflation, speculation, and product control have led much of the population to consume a diet based on carbohydrates, which are more economical and filling. Anemia is diagnosed with a simple hemoglobin test done on a blood sample. There are banding devices for measuring hemoglobin, although I don’t know how practical it is to have one at home, mostly because of the cost/benefit balance. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the first symptoms of malnutrition and can be diagnosed with the naked eye by looking at the color of the person’s skin and mucous membranes. The gums and the inner edge of the lower eyelid are the two places where pallor becomes most noticeable. Throughout my practice, I have noticed that the soles of the feet and palms of the hands are a clearer reflection of pallor and are the first places I look.

Other symptoms of anemia include headache, fatigue, tiredness, depression, shortness of breath, tachycardia, and heaviness. A high number of anemic people with hemoglobin values below 8gr/dL eat a lot of nonfood items (ice, dirt, rocks, and hair, among others), and this is a common presentation of anemia. This is known as Pica syndrome.

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