Anemia

Anaemia means your blood has fewer red blood cells — or less haemoglobin in them — than normal. Haemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, so anaemia reduces oxygen delivery to your tissues. Anaemia is very common in India — national surveys show more than half of adult women and children have anaemia. It's often preventable and treatable.

Common types

• Iron-deficiency anaemia — the most common type in India. Often from poor dietary iron, chronic blood loss (heavy periods, hookworm, ulcers), or pregnancy.
• Vitamin B12 / folate deficiency anaemia — common in Indian vegetarians (B12) and those with poor folate intake
• Anaemia of chronic disease — from long-term illnesses like kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, TB, HIV
• Thalassaemia and sickle cell — inherited haemoglobin disorders; significant in India
• Haemolytic anaemia — red cells destroyed faster than made; many causes
• Aplastic anaemia — bone marrow fails to make blood cells; rare but serious

Symptoms

• Tiredness, weakness
• Pale skin, pale inner eyelid, pale tongue
• Breathlessness, especially on exertion
• Palpitations, rapid heartbeat
• Headache, dizziness, faintness
• Poor concentration, poor sleep
• Brittle hair and nails
• Cracked corners of the mouth
• Cravings for non-food items — ice, clay, starch (pica) — sometimes seen in iron deficiency
• In children — developmental delay, poor growth
• In pregnancy — fatigue, breathlessness; severe anaemia increases risk to mother and baby

Diagnosis

A simple blood test (complete blood count) shows low haemoglobin. Follow-up tests identify the cause — iron studies, B12 and folate, kidney function, TSH, peripheral smear, and sometimes bone-marrow tests. For women with heavy periods, gynaecological evaluation. For unexplained anaemia in men or post-menopausal women, gut evaluation for slow bleeding.

Treatment

• Iron deficiency — iron supplementation (oral or, if needed, intravenous); continue for 3-6 months AFTER haemoglobin normalises to rebuild stores; address source of blood loss
• Dietary iron — pulses, green leafy vegetables, jaggery, dried fruits, meat, eggs, fortified grains. Vitamin-C-rich foods (lemon, amla, tomato) alongside boost absorption. Tea and coffee with meals reduce absorption — separate them from iron sources.
• B12 deficiency — oral or injection B12. Vegetarians often need long-term supplementation.
• Folate deficiency — supplementation; green leafy vegetables, pulses
• Thalassaemia and sickle cell — specialist care; some need regular transfusions and iron-chelation treatment; pre-marital screening is part of prevention
• Treat underlying causes — hookworm, ulcers, kidney disease
• In pregnancy — routine iron-folic-acid supplementation is part of antenatal care across India

The National Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme targets iron, folic acid, and deworming across vulnerable groups — one of many public-health efforts. At the individual level, a simple haemoglobin check is one of the most useful tests you can have periodically if tiredness persists.