The human body is a complex system. All of its elements should work together. If glitches and irregularities appear somewhere, pathologies and health-hazardous conditions begin to develop. The well-being of a person in this case is sharply reduced. One of the common pathologies is anemia. Why hemoglobin drops in the blood will be discussed in detail below.
What is hemoglobin?
Why does hemoglobin drop in blood in men and women? This question is faced by people of different professions, ages. Taking care of one's own health should be a priority for people. One indicator of well-being is the normal level of hemoglobin. It has a huge impact on our body. If the hemoglobin level decreases, this affects the operation of all systems.
Hemoglobin is produced by red blood cells (red blood cells). This process occurs at an early stage in the development of these blood cells. When inhaled, red blood cells are saturated with oxygen. These cells are a vehicle for hemoglobin. It is he who is able to connect with oxygen molecules. Hemoglobin transfers it to the cells of our body, which so need it.
Hemoglobin function
Hemoglobin not only delivers oxygen to cells, but also takes carbon dioxide, which is formed during metabolic processes. The substance transfers CO 2 back to the lungs. If the hemoglobin level in the blood decreases, this is always the result of certain abnormalities in the body. There are many factors that lead to a decrease in hemoglobin production. As a result, metabolic processes in cells occur incorrectly. This is fraught with a number of negative consequences for the body.
There is a large list of reasons why hemoglobin in the blood falls in women, children and men. If this indicator is not normal, anemia develops.
Diagnostics
Why does hemoglobin drop sharply in the blood? To establish the cause of this phenomenon, you need to conduct a comprehensive examination. A simple blood test (general analysis) allows you to set the level of hemoglobin in the blood. This is one of the most commonly used methods for diagnosing various diseases. One of the main indicators that are investigated during the analysis is the level of hemoglobin.
To get diagnosed, you need to go to the hospital. The therapist will prescribe a similar analysis. Blood is taken from the finger. Before this, you can not eat for several hours, as well as smoke. Therefore, a similar examination is carried out in the morning. The result can be obtained in a few hours if an express test is conducted in the laboratory. More often the answer is given the next day.
Hemoglobin level is indicated in grams per liter of blood or gamma per deciliter. This indicator may vary depending on age, gender, as well as physiological characteristics of the body. There are a number of factors that can give the wrong result during the examination.
So, quite often a situation is observed when reduced hemoglobin is determined during pregnancy. On average, for an average adult, this indicator should be in the range from 110 to 165 g / l. It is also worth noting that an elevated level of this protein in the blood is rarely diagnosed. In most cases, the deviation may be in the direction of reducing the amount of hemoglobin.
Normal rate
Considering why hemoglobin drops in the blood, it is worth noting that for each group of people there are standards for this indicator. An experienced doctor should deal with the diagnosis of compliance with the established result with the established norm. It necessarily takes into account a number of factors that affect this indicator.
It is considered normal for an adult male if hemoglobin is at a level of 130 to 175 g / l. In women, due to physiological characteristics, this indicator is slightly lower. Hemoglobin should be in the range of 127 to 162 g / l. The difference in the level of this indicator is explained by the presence of a large amount of androgens in the blood of men. They stimulate the production of red blood cells.
Norm for pregnant women and children
A separate group includes pregnant women. They have a normal hemoglobin level in the blood from 108 to 142 g / l. During pregnancy, the body needs more iron. This explains why pregnant hemoglobin drops in the blood.
In children under 18 years of age, this indicator varies with age and does not depend on gender. In the first 2 weeks of life, the child normally has a hemoglobin level of 137 to 197 g / l. Over time, this figure decreases. By the first year of life, it ranges from 108 to 132 g / l. By school age, hemoglobin increases. It ranges from 113 to 137 g / l.
Symptomatology
Many people are faced with questions about what factors lead to the development of anemia in the elderly, childhood, why hemoglobin in the blood falls in women after childbirth. Causes and treatment should be considered in detail. It is also worth paying attention to the symptoms that accompany anemia.
With a decrease in hemoglobin level below the established norm, a person feels weakness. He quickly gets tired, drowsiness is felt, dizziness appears. Sometimes people with low hemoglobin levels experience severe headaches. Blood pressure decreases, and the heartbeat because of this rises. If the event is triggered, fainting may occur.
If the development of anemia is associated with a lack of iron in the metabolic processes, a number of unpleasant symptoms appear. The epithelium becomes dry. Nails also become brittle. Some patients with a low hemoglobin level note that the hair on the head falls out severely.
Considering why hemoglobin falls in the blood, it should be called one of the most common causes of iron deficiency in the body. At the same time, all tissues do not receive the nutrition they need. Because of this, cells live less. A person has a number of unpleasant symptoms. Memory is greatly deteriorating, it becomes difficult to concentrate. Deviations in the perception of taste and smell may appear. A person may want inedible products, such as land. This is a clear sign of low hemoglobin. If such negative occurrences occur, it is necessary to consult a therapist and take a general blood test. The faster treatment is started, the faster it will be possible to restore the normal level of this indicator.
Categories of causes of low hemoglobin
There are many diseases that result in low hemoglobin levels. Also, the wrong behavior of the person himself often leads to such negative phenomena. Why does hemoglobin drop in blood in elderly women, as well as after childbirth? Why do people face similar problems in their lives? There are many answers to these questions.
All the reasons that cause hemoglobin to fall can be divided into 3 groups. The first category includes violations in the field of production of iron-containing protein. This is due to a lack of molecules of this trace element. Similar situations happen if a person has a pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the substances necessary for metabolism are poorly absorbed from the consumed food. Strict diets and fasting have a similar effect. With an unbalanced diet, a person consumes few foods rich in iron. As a result, he loses the necessary substances. Iron deficiency is also seen in people who have had surgery on their stomach or duodenum.
The second group of reasons includes the rapid destruction of red blood cells. This process can be influenced by external causes. In some cases, a person’s own immunity attacks red blood cells. Life expectancy of red blood cells on average should be about 4 months. But under the influence of adverse factors, it is significantly reduced.
The third group of reasons is a decrease in hemoglobin synthesis in the presence of all the necessary components in the body. Often a similar pathology is caused by a genetic factor.
Causes
There is a list of reasons why hemoglobin drops in the blood. One of the most frequent adverse factors that affects this indicator is malnutrition. In the diet of a person who suffers from a similar phenomenon, there is not enough animal food. If a person sits on a diet for a long time, his hemoglobin level decreases. Therefore, in order to lose weight, you need to contact a nutritionist. He will be able to choose a balanced diet. This will eliminate the harmful products and supplement the diet with the necessary vitamins, trace elements.
Vegetarians often suffer from low hemoglobin levels. Plant foods have enough iron. It's just that it is absorbed worse than with animal products.
The second common cause is significant blood loss. If a person has recently had an injury in which he lost a lot of blood, you should not take a hemoglobin test. Its level will be lowered. Severe bleeding can occur not only with injuries, but also during surgery, gastrointestinal diseases, as well as during ectopic pregnancy. Also, if donors donate blood too often, they develop anemia.
Why does hemoglobin drop in the blood of women? Often a similar situation happens during menstruation. During this period, the body loses a certain amount of blood. Therefore, it is not recommended to take a general blood test during menstruation and after them in the first few days.
Other reasons
Decreased synthesis of sex hormones can lead to the development of anemia. This explains why hemoglobin in the blood falls in older women. Treatment in this case is prescribed by the therapist after consulting the patient with an endocrinologist.
Chronic infections can cause these disorders. These include tuberculosis, hepatitis, pyelonephritis, pneumonia, etc. In addition, anemia develops with prolonged diseases of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. This is especially common in older people. This is due to improper absorption and redistribution of iron in the body.
With SARS, influenza hemoglobin is also reduced. After recovery, he returns to normal.
Sometimes the reason is called the rapid destruction of red blood cells. This situation occurs with diseases in the brain (stem cells die). With malignant blood pathologies, hemoglobin decreases. At the same time, the level of leukocytes also decreases.
Autoimmune pathologies lead to the development of anemia. They can be caused by diseases of the thyroid gland, systemic diseases of the connective tissue, as well as glomerulonephritis.
A few more factors ...
Pregnant women often lack hemoglobin. In their position, a lot of iron is required. The amount of blood in the body of pregnant women is increasing rapidly. Therefore, a decrease in hemoglobin in this condition is the norm. However, the doctor will definitely monitor this indicator. Below the established norm for pregnant women, this indicator should not decrease.
Also, a woman needs increased intake of iron during breastfeeding. During childbirth, the body loses some blood. This is also quite normal, but requires medical supervision. These factors explain why hemoglobin in the blood drops in women after childbirth.
If there are worms in the human body, this also leads to the development of anemia. Parasites consume a significant amount of vitamin B12. Without it, the absorption of iron is not good enough.
Due to stress, excessive physical exertion, hemoglobin levels may also decrease. Therefore, people whose work is associated with such adverse factors must eat fully, varied. Smoking and alcohol also reduce hemoglobin in the blood.
Treatment
To restore hemoglobin level, when the indicator is slightly reduced, it is enough to reconsider your diet. In advanced cases, serious therapy with the use of iron-containing drugs is required. In this case, a disease is definitely revealed, which led to the development of this ailment.
It is important to supplement the diet with vitamins. Particularly important are B12 and B6. They are involved in the synthesis of iron, its conversion into hemoglobin. Food should be rich in animal proteins. Every day you need to eat fish, meat, eggs. These products must be combined with complex fiber (fruits, vegetables). You also need to add liver, white chicken meat to the diet. You need to eat buckwheat, beans, peas and lentils. It is also worth more often to buy tomatoes, onions, pumpkin, young potatoes, salad, greens.
Some fruits are rich in iron. This, for example, apples, pomegranates, bananas, peaches and apricots, quinces and plums. You also need to eat seafood, nuts, chocolate and dried fruits.
Having considered the main reasons why hemoglobin in the blood falls, as well as the treatment of this condition, you can reconsider your lifestyle by harmonizing it. This will avoid the occurrence of anemia and its negative consequences.