Why do women suffer from anemia more than men?

Do you feel very weak all the time? Chest palpitations or shortness of breath with little effort? The signs that you may be avoiding thinking of a little fatigue, are the ones that tell you about anemia.

Not only in Bangladesh, the number of people suffering from anemia is not small in the whole world. But many people don't have a clear idea of exactly when it starts, or what kind of symptoms to look out for.

For example, few people know about the various physical complications that can arise from anemia. Besides, why do women suffer more from anemia? Anemia is not male? If not, what is the reason?

 What is anemia?

Anemia does not mean loss of blood, but depending on age and sex, if the hemoglobin present in the red blood cells is less than the desired amount, then it is called anemia or anemia.

Someone suffering from anemia means that their body is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.

Anemia is a common and serious global public health problem. Children and women account for the majority of anemia sufferers worldwide.

Mainly young children, menstruating teenagers and women, women during pregnancy and after delivery are affected.

According to the World Health Organization, 40 percent of children aged six to 59 months, 37 percent of pregnant women and 30 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years are anemic worldwide.

 Why is anemia?

According to information provided by Mayo Clinic, the leading medical organization in the United States, anemia occurs when there is not enough hemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood.

 This can happen if:

The body does not make enough hemoglobin or red blood cells

Hemorrhage causes rapid loss of red blood cells and hemoglobin before replacement

The body itself destroys red blood cells and hemoglobin

Bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. But without enough iron, the body cannot make hemoglobin or blood cells properly.

Anemia can be caused by various reasons. But one of the main causes of anemia is lack of iron in the body. Iron deficiency anemia is most prevalent worldwide.

Although iron deficiency is one of the main causes of anemia, anemia can be of many types. These include-

 1. Vitamin deficiency anemia

 2. Anemia of inflammation

 3. Aplastic anemia

 4. Bone marrow anemia

 5. Hemolytic anemia

 6. Sickle cell anemia

Apart from iron, the body needs folic acid and vitamin B-12 to make blood. If there is no food rich in vitamin B-12 in the food list, deficiency of vitamin B and folic acid is created in the body. Anemia may occur as a result.

However, many people cannot take vitamin B-12. This can also lead to vitamin deficiency anemia.

It can also happen if the red blood cells are broken. Chronic diseases, such as kidney or liver failure, thyroid gland problems, arthritis, cancer, tuberculosis can cause anemia.

Even hemoglobin itself can cause anemia due to numerous diseases such as thalassemia, blood cancer, loss of bone marrow production capacity.

In addition, malnutrition, peptic ulcers, immune system defects, long-term pain medication and steroid use can cause anemia due to stomach ulcers, worm infections, stool or menstrual bleeding, and frequent pregnancies.

 Anemia can occur even with profuse bleeding in the accident.

 What are the symptoms of anemia?

If the hemoglobin in the body decreases, the fatigue will build up. As a result, appetite decreases. These mainly indicate anemia in the body.

According to the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, the symptoms of anemia are:

 1. Physical weakness, tiredness and fatigue

 2. Shortness of breath

 3. Feeling of extra pressure on the heart and increased heart rate

 4. Pale body

According to the Mayo Clinic website, anemia can also cause symptoms such as decreased energy, dull skin, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, chest pain, and headaches.

Apart from this, in some special cases, problems like fever, diarrhea or jaundice may also occur.

Why are women more affected by anemia than men?

According to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, some people are at a higher risk of developing anemia. For example-

 1. During menstruation and during pregnancy

 2. Lack of enough iron and certain vitamins

 3. Taking certain medications and during treatment

In Bangladesh, women are more affected by anemia than men. The main reason for this is the physical characteristics of women.

Blood flows out of the body of women every month due to menstruation. In some cases, the level is much higher, and sometimes it lasts longer than usual. As a result, profuse bleeding leads to anemia.

Mainly due to menstruation, lactation or breast milk production process and pregnant women are more prone to get anemia.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital's former head of medicine department Professor Mohammad Billal Alam said, Bangladesh is the background