Hemoglobin is a complex chemical compound a protein with an element of iron, which is present in red blood cells. The function of hemoglobin in human body is one of the most important - it is involved in the delivery of oxygen molecules to all tissues and organs of the body.

Oxygen is an element indispensable for the life of a living being, it takes part in the receipt and exchange of energy and in the conduction of recovery reactions. The action of hemoglobin is based on the capture of oxygen in the lungs, carrying out further oxidation and transferring it to all body structures.

When hemoglobin is lowered, this means the onset of oxygen depletion of all body cells and weakening of the immune system. In order to prevent a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood below normal, you need to know what to do with a lack of iron in the body. Let's see in what cases the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, what are its norms in different people and in what ways to increase the lack of this substance at home.

Hemoglobin norm

The level of hemoglobin in the blood depends on the well-being and health of a person. If hemoglobin levels are below normal, then we are talking about anemia, which is considered a rather formidable and dangerous disease.

The norm of hemoglobin in the blood depends on the gender of the person:

• In children, the hemoglobin content is normal, as in adults: before birth, HbA already begins to be synthesized, which, by the age of one, practically replaces the fetal hemoglobin that served the child during fetal development.
• In women, from 115 to 145 g / l (during pregnancy from 110 g / l);
• In men, from 130 to 160 g / l.

According to the volume of hemoglobin decrease, iron deficiency anemia can be of several degrees:

• mild (hemoglobin content from 110 g/l to 90 g/l);
• medium (hemoglobin content from 90 g/l to 70 g/l);
• severe (hemoglobin content less than 70 g/l).

There is also latent anemia (hidden). It is characterized by the normal presence of hemoglobin in erythrocytes against the background of a decrease serum iron. At the same time, the symptoms of its decrease are manifested quite clearly. A similar condition is often inherent in women during pregnancy.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

In addition to a blood test, which immediately reveals a lack of this important protein in the body, there are a number of symptoms: they can independently suggest a low level of hemoglobin in the blood.

For men and women, these are:

• general weakness of the body, drowsiness;
• pale skin, sometimes it even seems “transparent”;
• bluish lips;
• the skin becomes dry and begins to peel off;
• especially advanced cases, nails begin to break and hair fall out;
• for children, the main sign of a lack of hemoglobin is frequent illness.

While recognizing the symptoms of low hemoglobin in adults, you can successfully bring it back to normal without resorting to the help of doctors. But first, you need to know the reasons that reduce the content of this important element in blood.

Causes of low hemoglobin

Why is hemoglobin lowered in adults, what does this mean? The body can lose hemoglobin various reasons. This happens most quickly with blood loss - both explicit and hidden. Obvious bleeding occurs with profuse and prolonged menstruation in women (more than five days), various wounds, injury or surgery.

Poor nutrition with insufficient amounts of animal proteins, vitamins and trace elements leads to. Often low hemoglobin occurs in people who promote vegetarianism or long time being on a diet. V childhood anemia develops with an unbalanced or inadequate diet.

Hidden bleeding is possible with some gastrointestinal diseases, pathologies of the female reproductive system(, etc.). to a decrease in hemoglobin and short life erythrocytes can lead autoimmune diseases, infections or hereditary diseases.

Consequences

In adults, a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin leads to the fact that the body does not receive the required amount of oxygen. The general condition of patients is disturbed and the above-described complaints appear.

1. The consequence of this may be a decrease in immunity and, as a result, an increase in the frequency of infectious diseases.
2. In most cases, there is fast fatiguability human and constant weakness.
3. may cause deformation epithelial tissues human - mucous respiratory tract, oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and upper protective layers of the skin.
4. Often, anemia causes disorders nervous system: irritability, unreasonable mood swings appear, concentration of attention decreases.

In addition, with anemia, there may be manifestations such as cracks in the lips, a sharp muscle weakness, hair loss, brittle nails and addiction to special smells that other people find unpleasant.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy

Decreased hemoglobin during pregnancy - a common occurrence for expectant mothers. A significant deviation from the norm can adversely affect the health of both mother and baby. This is fraught with the following complications:

• hypotension of the uterus (decrease in the contractility of its muscles);
• hypoxia ( oxygen starvation fetus);
• delay, and even cessation of growth and development of the fetus;
• low birth weight;
• disturbances in the work of the respiratory and nervous systems.

In addition, many doctors are sure that a woman’s low hemoglobin during childbirth can negatively affect the health of the child in the future. Such children study poorly at school, often get sick, suffer from various pathologies. internal organs. Therefore, if during pregnancy it is below normal, treatment under the supervision of a doctor is essential.

How to increase hemoglobin?

What to do? In order to increase hemoglobin in the blood, just in case, you need to know the reason for its fall. You can use foods that increase hemoglobin as much as you like (iron, B vitamins), but if they are not properly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, then success may not be expected.

The main pathogenetic method of therapy is the intake of iron-containing drugs (Heferol, Ferroplex, Ferlatum and others). As a rule, oral forms are prescribed, but in severe cases, drugs are recommended to be administered parenterally. Treatment of patients prone to intestinal dysfunctions involves the parallel administration of enzyme and enveloping preparations.

With good tolerance of prescribed drugs, they are used in maximum doses followed by maintenance therapy with a decrease in dosage for several months. At the same time, the level of iron in erythrocytes and blood serum is necessarily monitored. If necessary, vitamin B12, B9 and ascorbic acid are also prescribed. In severe cases resort to transfusion of whole blood or red blood cells.

Iron supplements for low hemoglobin in adults

Drugs to increase hemoglobin are prescribed only by a doctor and, of course, under his strict control. This is explained by the presence side effects after taking medications, among which are: nausea, a feeling of irritability of the stomach, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting.

Very common and popular are the following drugs increase hemoglobin in the blood:

1. Ferro foil;
2. Sorbifer Durules;
3. Ferretab;
4. Ferrum lek;
5. Hemofer drops;
6. totem;
7. Maltofer.

The course of treatment lasts from two weeks to three months. In this case, the visible result occurs after about 2-3 weeks of taking the medication. If the composition is not vitamin C, then you need to additionally take vitamin C up to 0.3 g per day.

If low hemoglobin is detected and treatment with tablets is prohibited, it is forbidden to drink funds containing calcium at the same time, since they are antagonists. Therefore, it is impossible to drink iron with milk, which is greener than coffee.

Diet

Products that contribute to nutritional therapy for low hemoglobin include:

1. Varieties of red meat - rabbit, beef.
2. White meat chicken.
3. Beef tongue, beef liver.
4. Egg yolks.
5. Seafood, fish.
6. Legumes.
7. Buckwheat and other cereals.
8. Carrots, beets, dark green vegetables.
9. Walnuts.
10. Pomegranate, apples and berries with great content vitamin C.

In no case should you take such a diet with low hemoglobin too literally and switch to proteins alone - it is difficult for the body to absorb all this. Be sure to garnish the meat with vegetables and herbs, and eat wholemeal cereals for breakfast. As an addition to nutrition to increase hemoglobin, it can be advised to drink juices - grape, pomegranate, carrot, beetroot, apple.

At the same time, to improve the absorption of iron, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of dairy products as much as possible, fatty foods, flour products, green tea and coffee.

In order for our body to work without disturbance, not so much is needed. With absolute health, one should only take measures to maintain it: ensure oneself the correct and balanced diet, give up all kinds of harmful substances (including alcohol and nicotine), get enough sleep and rest properly. But as practice shows, a huge number modern people suffer from health problems caused by bad habits and not malnutrition. These diseases are caused by the absence physical activity, the effects of which are not immediately apparent. So it's hard to understand why...

Practically complete absence physical activity negatively affects the activity of the whole organism. Sedentary work or forced stay in bed leads to a gradual weakening of the muscles, as a result of which they begin to atrophy. People become less strong and resilient. Hypodynamia is fraught with a violation of the neuro-reflex connections, which eventually leads to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia, depression and some others. pathological conditions.

Prolonged inactivity leads to a decrease in the rate of fat burning. This is fraught with the development of obesity, slowing blood flow and reducing the effectiveness of insulin. Accordingly, with a lack of physical activity, the likelihood of developing diabetes.

And an increase in the amount of body fat can lead to a violation hormonal balance, both in men and women. In the stronger sex, obesity is fraught with the production of estrogen in a significant amount and a decrease in testosterone synthesis ( male hormone). Women have a set excess weight may lead to violations menstrual cycle and even infertility.

Among other things, fat deposits also occur around the internal organs, which significantly complicates their activity and leads to the development various problems with health.

If a person is constantly sitting position, his lumbar intervertebral discs are subjected to particular pressure. In this work, the head often leans forward, and the shoulders try to compensate for the transfer of weight. Increased load muscles and ligaments in the lower back are exposed. This position leads to violations in the activity of the spine. With hypodynamia, the likelihood of developing osteochondrosis increases by an order of magnitude. various departments spine, most early manifestations which become pain. There may also be thinning of bone tissue - osteoporosis, and curvature of the spine - scoliosis.

Problems with the spine, combined with poor blood circulation, lead to headaches. People who do not perform physical activity often suffer from reduced concentration, decreased brain activity, feeling unwell and mood swings. They do not get enough sleep and feel “broken”. classic problem patients with hypodynamia is a syndrome chronic fatigue.

Doctors say that the lack of a complete motor activity may lead to the development oncological diseases. So with physical inactivity significantly increases the likelihood of cancer of the breast, uterus, ovaries, and prostate. As you know, normal potency in men largely depends on the sufficiency of blood flow to the small pelvis. If a person constantly sits and does not perform even minimal exercises, stagnant processes develop. Accordingly, erectile function deteriorates by an order of magnitude, or even disappears altogether.

The organs of the reproductive system are especially sensitive to the lack of physical activity. So in women and men, prolonged physical inactivity can cause circulatory disorders in the pelvis, which is fraught with the development of varicose veins, prostatitis and other problems.

Prolonged stay in a static position also adversely affects the activity of the cardiovascular system, which is fraught with the development various ailments heart and blood vessels. So hypodynamia can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, angina pectoris and even a heart attack.

Those people who sit for a long time at the table are faced with a problem poor circulation v lower limbs. It is fraught with development varicose veins veins. Most often, such a violation occurs in women, which is explained by the characteristics of the body.

If a person throws his leg over his leg, the likelihood of such a disease increases by an order of magnitude, because the vessels are pinched, which causes blood stagnation in certain areas.

Circulatory disorders caused by lack of physical activity often lead to hemorrhoids. Also, stagnant processes in the pelvis are fraught with constant constipation.

Physicians say that prolonged absence physical activity increases the likelihood of early onset lethal outcome among representatives of different sexes by 6.9%.

What to do?

If your job involves long stay in a static position (especially sitting), be sure to take breaks from time to time to stretch. In your free time, try to walk more, visit the pool or fitness club. You can also do gymnastics at home.

Physical exercise should be a mandatory part of the lifestyle of every person.

Hemoglobin is a compound of iron and protein found in red blood cells. Its main function is to deliver oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body and remove carbon dioxide. The lower the level of hemoglobin, the worse the system of supplying organs and tissues with oxygen, as a result of which they age, fade and cease to fully perform their functions.

A lack of hemoglobin in the blood causes anemia, which worsens general condition body: fatigue, fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, shortness of breath, palpitations, sleep disturbance, depressive states. Outwardly, a low level of hemoglobin is manifested in dry skin, hair loss, brittle nails, cracking and pallor of the lips.

The lack of hemoglobin leads to a general weakening of the body, a decrease in protective barriers, and susceptibility to various infections. The immune system malfunctions, even an elementary one can cause serious complications. In some cases, urinary incontinence occurs due to muscle relaxation.

Low level hemoglobin especially for . The body requires more iron necessary to provide oxygen to organs and tissues future mother and . Hemoglobin during gestation falls very quickly and immediately begins to negatively affect the fetus. Due to a lack of oxygen (hypoxia), the baby does not receive enough nutrition and may slow down or even stop development.

Most heard about hemoglobin in childhood. Experts give its content in the blood Special attention. This is not surprising since hemoglobin performs the most important mission: carries oxygen to all tissues and organs human body and from there delivers carbon dioxide to the lungs. Thus, it ensures the vital activity of the organism, guarantees it "breathing".

Hemoglobin - what is it?

Hemoglobin is a complex protein found in erythrocytes (red blood cells). It contains:

• protein directly;
• iron compounds.

The atoms of the latter provide the blood with a red color. Thanks to iron, hemoglobin performs its respiratory function, because it is able to combine oxygen molecules and give it to tissues.

Low hemoglobin: causes

The body loses hemoglobin for many reasons. The most common of them are:

• Blood loss:
  • obvious - visible loss of life-giving fluid by the body during strip operations, serious injuries, wounds, hemorrhoids, in women - with heavy periods;
  • hidden - internal bleeding in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Lack of amino acids and vitamins necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. reason not enough in the body, vitamin C must be sought in a poor and unbalanced diet. This also explains the deficiency of folic acid.

  But if there is a lack of vitamin B12, then helminthic invasion can be suspected.

• Diseases of the digestive system. Diseases such as colitis, gastritis, ulcers interfere with the normal absorption of iron, as they deplete the mucosa of the digestive tract.
• Heavy infectious diseases: tuberculosis, hepatitis. Accompanying them pathological processes cause premature and excessive death of red blood cells. The consequence of this undesirable phenomenon is a decrease in hemoglobin, which, as you know, is found in red blood cells.
• Hypothyroidism - severe syndrome caused by a decrease in the level of thyroid hormones. Since they are responsible for regulating iron absorption in the intestines, their deficiency automatically lowers the hemoglobin content in the blood.
• Autoimmune diseases that cause normal tissues to become damaged and destroyed. In this case, the development of autoimmune inflammation occurs. It manifests itself in the progression rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glomerulonephritis.
• Blood diseases that are malignant in nature.
• Neoplasms in the internal organs.
• stressful situations. They depress the psyche and introduce a person into a depressed state. Long negative emotions capable of breaking metabolic processes, including negatively affect the level of hemoglobin, lowering it to a critical value.
• Nutritional errors. Harm is manifested not only in insufficient intake into the body useful substances and elements. If you abuse strong coffee, tea, chocolate products, cereal crops, it can also provoke a decrease in hemoglobin. The fact is that these products can inhibit the absorption of iron.
• Low level of physical activity. It serves as a catalyst for slowing down the intensity of blood movement through the veins, arteries and capillaries. The brain receives signals that there is plenty of red blood cells in the body, so there is no need for their production. Less red blood cells are synthesized - the level of hemoglobin drops.

It is considered natural low rate iron-containing protein in donors who donate blood constantly. But the level of hemoglobin quickly normalizes if everything is in order in the body. Otherwise medical staff will no longer use the services of a donor.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

A decrease in hemoglobin below normal manifests itself as symptoms:

• Subjective - they are evidenced by complaints of patients.
• Objective, which can be measured quantitatively.

subjective asthenic symptoms are:

• weakness in the whole body;
• daytime sleepiness and insomnia at night;
• the morning rise is heavy (to get up, you need to make an effort);
• increased fatigue;
• buzzing in the ears;
• persistent headaches;
• frequent dizziness, possible fainting and pre-fainting;
• the menstrual cycle is disturbed;
• a noticeable decrease in potency;
• loss of interest in food up to disgust for it.

The presence of such symptoms indicates a lack of oxygen in the tissues and a violation of the pH level in the cells.

Separately, dystrophic subjective symptoms are distinguished, which act indirect signs deficiency in the body of iron:

• Damage to the nail plates: they become thinner, exfoliate, break easily. Spots and fungal diseases may appear.
• Change in hair: they almost stop growing, but fall out much more than before. The ends split, and the strands themselves become brittle and faded.
• Taste and smell are impaired. There is a desire to use inedible substances: chalk, sand, tooth powder, sulfur from matches. You can easily eat raw foods- such as minced meat or cereals. The smells of acetone, naphthalene, nail polish do not bring discomfort, they become pleasant.
• The skin becomes pale and dry.
• Tingling in the feet.
• Convulsions in the lower limbs.
• Slight rise in temperature.

Such symptoms can also appear with a slight decrease in hemoglobin, if it has been going on for a long period time.

Among the objective symptoms it should be noted:

• tachycardia, in which the pulse significantly exceeds 90 beats per minute;
• lowering blood pressure;
• murmurs are heard in the heart.

In the early temporary stages of a decrease in hemoglobin, a person can only feel weakness, the appearance of which is explained by overwork or beriberi. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a blood test at least twice a year in order to stop the disease processes in time.

What is dangerous low hemoglobin: consequences

An insufficient supply of iron in the body causes anemia. Medical statistics record it in 90% of those patients whose hemoglobin is lowered. iron deficiency anemia one third of the world's population suffers, especially women and children.

Depending on the level of hemoglobin, anemia can manifest itself in several forms:

• Light - the content of iron-containing protein in the blood is in the range from 90 to 120 g / l.
• Medium - hemoglobin drops to 60 g / l.
• Severe - the level of iron-containing protein falls below 60 g / l.

If you allow a decrease in hemoglobin to 50 g / l, then there is a threat of acidosis - a shift in the acid-base balance in the body towards an increase in acidity. This condition is very dangerous because it leads to oppression. respiratory centers and cardiac activity.

Prolonged exposure of hemoglobin below the lower limits of the norm can cause significant problems in the functioning immune system. And this means that even common cold is difficult and there is a high risk of complications. The body loses its ability to defend itself against harmful organisms and microbes, which poses a threat to health and even life.

Features of low hemoglobin in women and men

In adult women and men, low hemoglobin manifests itself similar symptoms. But there are also some features.

Men note a decrease in potency. And with a decrease in hemoglobin to a certain level, temporary impotence is possible.

Female representatives almost always have a violation of the menstrual cycle. At first, there are delays, failures in time. Later menstruation may stop completely.

One of the reasons for the decrease in hemoglobin is pseudo-blood loss. They are possible in the presence of uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts in the female genital organs. Neoplasms are periodically filled with blood, which resolves too slowly. In this case, hemoglobin is not able to perform its functions, since it is converted into another compound.

Decreased hemoglobin during pregnancy

For women in interesting position low hemoglobin is common.

At the same time, a significant deviation from the norm is a serious threat to the health of not only the expectant mother, but also the unborn baby.

Reduced hemoglobin is dangerous by the appearance of:

• hypotension of the uterus sharp decline its tone and ability to contract);
• hypoxia (lack of oxygen for the fetus);
• improper location of the placenta;
• delay or cessation of fetal development.

The baby may be born with:

• low body weight;
• underdevelopment;
• disorders of the respiratory and nervous systems;
• atrophy of muscles and individual organs;
• deviations in the development of mental and physical, which will manifest themselves in a few months or years.

Given such threats, pregnant women are required to tirelessly monitor their health and visit doctors even at the slightest suspicion of pathology. Even at the planning stage of conception, a woman should take care of her diet in order to prevent the development of anemia.

Decreased hemoglobin in children

In babies, low hemoglobin can cause both pathologies and a lack of essential minerals and vitamins in food.

If the level of iron-containing protein drops to a critical level, without transfusion donated blood not enough. For crumbs up to a year, this is necessary if hemoglobin approaches 85 g / l. In older children, the limit value is 70 g / l.

In very active babies, it may also be fixed reduced level hemoglobin.

How to bring hemoglobin back to normal with medical methods

Before trying to treat low hemoglobin, it is necessary to identify the cause of this condition and exclude it.

Therapeutic measures are aimed not only at normalizing the level of iron-containing protein, color index, but also to restore the concentration of iron in the serum and blood depot - reservoir organs (such as the spleen, liver and skin).

In the presence of micro- and macrobleeding, the following can be shown:

• removal of hemorrhoids;
• correction of uterine bleeding;
• surgical removal of uterine fibroids;
• therapy of ulcers, enteritis and other diseases of the housing and communal services.

Pathogenetic methods for the treatment of low hemoglobin involve the appointment of iron preparations, vitamins of group B. They can be taken either orally or as injections. The prescribed dose should provide healing effect and at the same time it cannot be excessive, so as not to cause the phenomenon of intolerance.

Injections should preferably be taken under conditions inpatient treatment. This will prevent the consequences of a possible and common allergy to iron supplements.

If there are unresolved etiological factors- such as heavy menstruation, uterine bleeding, hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal ailments - anti-relapse therapy is carried out chronic anemia. She has an individual character. Small doses of iron preparations are selected. They are taken either several times a year, or monthly for several days. The level of hemoglobin and indicators of iron metabolism are under the control of the doctor during these periods.

How to increase hemoglobin by adjusting the diet

In the complex of combating low hemoglobin, nutrition plays an important role. If wrong diet- the main reason for the lack of iron-containing protein in the body, it is easy to eliminate in a few weeks.

When iron deficiency is detected in the body, then it is necessary to include products containing it in the menu. Their list is not small. The most popular and available of them are:

• liver;
• red meat;
• buckwheat;
• black currant;
• pomegranates and prunes;
• peaches, plums and apples;
• dried apricots and wild rose.

The menu also needs to be filled with seafood, nuts, potatoes baked with the peel, bran from wheat and oats. It is useful to use brewer's yeast, cocoa, cranberries and raspberries.

An effective mix of carrot and beet juices. It should be taken half a glass a day. It is important that freshly squeezed beetroot juice stand for at least an hour before mixing.

When compiling the menu, it must be taken into account that foods containing calcium slow down the absorption of iron. Therefore, they must be used separately.

Folic acid stores can be replenished by including in the diet:

• cottage cheese and cheese;
• citrus;
• melons and watermelons;
• green onions and peas;
• kiwi and bananas;
• turnip;
• grapes and pomegranates.

A balanced and reasonable consumption of such products ensures the synthesis of folic acid by the intestinal microflora in sufficient quantities. And this means that hemoglobin will return to normal.

Those who have low levels should significantly limit their intake of coffee and tea. And alcohol and smoking should be completely abandoned.

Reduced hemoglobin does not allow not only to work normally, but simply to live. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the causes of this painful condition as soon as possible and, without delay, begin its therapy.

In order for the body to produce a sufficient amount of hemoglobin, it is necessary to eat a balanced diet, consume foods containing vitamin B12 and folic acid. An important factor normal absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract.

The hematopoietic system should not have pathological changes causing hemoglobin deviation from the norm.