How Do I Tackle Anaemia Due To Folic Acid Deficiency

Anaemia refers to the medical condition wherein there is a lack or drop in red blood cells in our body that creates problems for the blood to carry oxygen. This results in remarkable exhaustion, tiredness, and many more unwanted experiences to add to the list of symptoms.

There can be two reasons as to why there is not enough number of red blood cells in the blood. These reasons are either the decline in the production of the number of red blood cells or rise in the loss or failure of red blood cells.

The production of red blood cells takes place in the bone marrow from where they flow in the body through the bloodstream. The life expectancy of these cells is approximately about 120 days. To produce more number of red blood cells, the body requires three main nutrients namely, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Folic acid is a nutrient that belongs to the B group of vitamins.

Therefore, if there is a deficiency or short supply of any of these nutrients, its result is anaemia. If there is a deficiency of folic acid, the individual might even suffer from the intestinal problems along with other normal anaemic symptoms.

Working of the Red Blood Cells

One of the functions of the heart is the pumping activity in which it propels the blood in the entire body using the arteries acting as the vehicle to do so. The red blood cells are known as the carrier of the oxygen that does so from the lungs to all the cells in the body. While burning the sugar and fat in the body, the body cells utilize this oxygen to generate energy.

During this process of combustion, carbon dioxide is released that is considered as a waste substance. This so-called waste product attaches itself to the red blood cells that have provided with the oxygen. The bound carbon dioxide is then carried to the lungs by the red blood cells. This entire procedure is known as oxidation. It is this carbon dioxide that we exhale after inhaling the fresh oxygen.

Anaemia Causes

Listed below are the causes of anaemia due to lack of folic acid.

• Poor Diet
  This refers not having adequate food items that are rich in folic acid. This is the problem with the teenagers who mostly eat junk food daily, elder people who hardly eat, and especially, alcoholics and drug addicts.
• Low Intake of Folic Acid during Growth
  This refers to the period of pregnancy and childhood that are the period of growth due to which the body requires more folic acid. One more important reason for more folic acid is that it safeguards the foetus against  the disorder of spina bifida, which is the problem of the spinal cord system in which it is not growing completely.
• Hereditary Anaemia
  There are certain types of hereditary anaemia such as haemolytic anaemia, in which the body splits the red blood cells very rapidly. In order to reimburse, the body generates more number of red blood cells and utilizes all the current quantity of the folic acid.
• Medicines
  Specific medicines such as anti-epileptic drugs and a few antibiotics can influence the body’s usual metabolism of folic acid. Before taking medicines during pregnancy, always consult and verify with their doctor about the medicines having any effect on the production of the folic acid.
• Kidney Dialysis
  Chronic dialysis can take out folic acid from the blood. So, kidney patients needs to be alert on this and discuss the same with their doctor.
• Small Intestine Diseases
  Diseases related to the small intestine such as gluten intolerance also known as coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease also known as inflammation of the intestine might result in decreased absorption of the folic acid.

Anaemia Symptoms

It might take time to experience the symptoms of anaemia if the person has not other medical conditions and is fit. Further, you can even lack both B12 and folic acid simultaneously. Listed below are the symptoms of anaemia due to lack of folic acid.

• Tiredness and palpitations (the initial symptoms)
• Shortness of breath (common one)
• Dizziness (fainting – another common one)
• Angina (chest pain – for severe anaemia)
• Leg pain (sporadic claudication – for severe anaemia)
• Headache (for severe anaemia)

There are more symptoms that signify the deficiency of folic acid. Listed below are these symptoms.

• Red, irritated tongue appearing sometimes shiny
• Decreased sense of taste
• Indigestion
• Changed bowel movements (more with lack of folic acid rather than B12)
• Diarrhoea (frequent)

If you are also suffering from lack of B12 nutrient, you will also experience some symptoms related to the nervous system. Following are these signs.

• Muscle weakness
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Nerve inflammation

Diagnosis

The victim’s blood test is done to confirm anaemia due to lack of folic acid. A sample of blood is taken and is sent for analyzing to the laboratory. In the lab, a scrutiny of the red blood cells is done to determine the levels of the folic acid, which is included in the result of the test.

If there is lack of folic acid, the result will report its low levels in the blood. Further, the red blood cells will appear red in color, but will be larger in size as compared to their usual size.

Anaemia Treatment

Taking folic acid tablets is the common treatment for this kind of anaemia. However, attention will also be given to any other cause too. It is recommended to take these tablets for four months continuously at its minimum to experience its benefits. If still there is not as much improvement as wanted, the tablets can be continued for a long term on discussing the same with the doctor.

The folic acid tablets are advised to be taken once daily, as they have some side effects.

Avoiding Folic Acid Deficiency

Listed below are some of the ways to avoid folic acid deficiency.

• 

  Prefer a varied, but balanced diet that includes proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fruits, and vegetables.

• Include rich items of folic acid in your diet such as brown bread, beans, oatmeal, broccoli, beef, asparagus, and mushrooms.
• Visit your GP in case you even slightly exhibit any of the stated symptoms of anaemia.
• During pregnancy, women are advised to take folic acid supplements with the dose of 400 micrograms daily. The reason behind this is that a baby’s spinal cord grows at an early stage. The recommended dose is even more if there was a previous pregnancy coupled with the complication of spina bifida. In nutshell, talk to your doctor or pharmacist in these matters to never let the levels of folic acid down.

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