Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have adequate healthy red blood cells and haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the main protein in the red blood cells which carries oxygen to the body tissues.

  There are different types of anemia like anemia due to iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency,  folate deficiency,  haemolytic anemia,  idiopathic aplastic anemia, megaloblastic anemia , pernicious anemia , sickle cell anemia , thalassemia . Anemia can also be a warning sign of serious illness .

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. Iron , vitamin B12 and folic acid are the most important nutrients required to make enough healthy red blood cells. Main causative factors of IDA are:

• Inadequate diet leading to Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency
• Malabsorption of nutrients due to problems of small intestine like crohns disease, celiac disease.
• Chronic diseases like cancer , IBD, chronic kidney diseases.
• Long term use of certain medications.
• Pregnancy
• Bone marrow related diseases like leukaemia, lymphoma etc
• Blood loss

Symptoms may not be evident if the anemia is mild or slowly developing but can occur and get worse as anemia becomes worse . Main symptoms are:

• Weakness, tiredness
• Shortness of breath with mild activity or at rest
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Irritability, lack of concentration
• Numbness of hands and feet
• Pale or yellow skin
• Brittle nails
• Dizziness , light-headedness
• Pica syndrome in severe cases
• Menstrual irregularities

Investigations like complete blood count, reticulocyte count , blood levels of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid can be done to detect anemia.

  Iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by eating a healthy and balanced diet that includes Iron rich food like lentils ,cereals , green leafy vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish , dried fruits like raisins and apricots, food rich in vitamin B12 like meat ,dairy products , cereals and folate and vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits,  green leafy vegetables, broccoli, berries etc.

  According to Ayurveda,  Iron deficiency anemia can be co related to pandu roga on the basis of pandu varna of skin ,nails and eyes and rakta alpata ie low levels of healthy red blood cells and haemoglobin in the blood. It is characterised by weakness, fatigue, pallor, swelling, loss of appetite , palpitations,  loss of hair etc. Pandu roga has been divided into many types on the basis of dosha predominance and causative factors. Pandu roga is predominantly a result of pitta dosa vitiation along with other dosas.

  Various ayurvedic medications like draksharista , lohasava, punarnava madura,  chinchadi lehya, dadimadi ghritha  etc  have been proved efficient in the management of pandu roga . The advantages of ayurvedic formulations are that they are safe and effective against iron deficiency anemia. The medication and dietary modification are suggested by Ayurvedic practitioners after proper assessment of the patient.