The Punjab government on Wednesday launched a 45-day campaign to create awareness about anaemia.

Data show that while 54.4% of Indian women aged 15-49 are anaemic, Punjab has a marginally higher prevalence of anaemia at 56.1% of women in the state. This has serious implications for the health of our future generations.

When haemoglobin falls below 11.9 grams per deciliter (g/dL) of blood, this condition is called anaemia. In severe anaemia, haemoglobin falls below 8 g/dL.

As part of the campaign, the health department of Punjab government plans to offer treatments for anaemia to adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers in the state. The government is also providing the facility of free haemoglobin testing at some hospitals.

Taking our cue from the Punjab government and in the spirit of raising awareness, here’s a look at the causes, symptoms, complications of anaemia as well as some ways to avoid anaemia that everyone should know:

Causes of anaemia

The most common cause of anaemia is iron-deficiency. But there can be many other reasons for it as well.

• Iron deficiency: Our body needs iron to make haemoglobin – a protein which takes oxygen to every single cell in the body. When the body doesn’t get adequate iron, it can become anaemic. Cancer, ulcers, heavy blood loss through the menstrual cycle or an accident, or any situation where the body fails to replace the blood lost, can also result in this condition.
• Sickle-cell anaemia: This is an inherited condition in which the red blood cells are sickle-shaped and rigid – they get destroyed as they pass through the smaller blood vessels, leading to anaemia
• Vitamin-deficiency anaemia: Folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12 and vitamin C are all important for the production of red blood cells. A deficiency of these vitamins can result in the production of deformed (for example, very large) red blood cells.
• Hemolytic anaemia: An inherited condition in which red blood cells die faster than the body can make new ones
• Anaemia of inflammation: This is a condition in which the body has enough iron but the blood cells are iron-deficient. Inflammation restricts the body’s ability to use stored iron to form healthy red blood cells. In certain chronic health conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS or kidney diseases, inflammation can lead to this type of anaemia
• Aplastic anaemia: Our body makes red blood cells in the bone marrow: the spongy tissue in between some bones. In people in whom the bone marrow is damaged (this can be congenital, or because of chronic infection or exposure to harmful radiation or chemotherapy), the body fails to produce enough haemoglobin, resulting in anaemia.

Symptoms of Anaemia

The symptoms of anaemia can vary depending on the cause. More often than not, anaemia goes unnoticed and untreated. A basic complete blood count (CBC test) is enough to check your haemoglobin. Get it done if you experience these symptoms: