Feeling weak, tired, having palpitations or headaches? If yes, some people might say you have anemia or “kulang sa dugo” while others might say that you might have a high blood pressure or you might have them both. But how do we differentiate between the two?

What is anemia?

Anemia is the term for when a person does not have enough "hemoglobin" in their blood which helps red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. If your hemoglobin level is low, your body might not get all the oxygen it needs. The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency anemia where you might be:
● Not eating enough iron rich foods such as meat, fish and poultry
● Not absorbing enough iron from food for those who had a surgery involving the stomach or intestines
● Losing blood through menstruation or injury or from intestinal parasites
● Having greater needs especially during early growth and pregnancy

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

Many people with iron deficiency anemia have no symptoms. People who do have symptoms might:
● Look pale especially on the lips and nailbeds
● Have cup shaped nails
● Feel irritable
● Feel tired or weak, especially if they try to exercise or walk up stairs
● Have headaches
● Have chest pain or trouble breathing
● Have abnormal cravings that make them want to eat ice or substances like clay or wallpaper
● Have "restless legs syndrome," where the legs feel like they need to keep moving, especially at night.

How is anemia diagnosed?

If you suspect that you have the abovementioned conditions, consut your doctor for complete assessment. They will do a complete physical exam and might request for a lab test called CBC which measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood.

How is iron deficiency anemia treated?
Iron deficiency is treated by increased dietary iron intake and through iron supplementation. It is also important to address any underlying medical conditions that is causing your anemia such as excessive bleeding from menstruation.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is a condition where an individual has a consistently elevated blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg which may increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Some individuals may not experience symptoms but others may experience:
● Elevated blood pressure with palpable pulsations
● Headaches or Dizziness
● Easy fatigability

Hypertension is just a manifestation of an underlying medical condition which causes the heart to pump blood harder due to narrowed arteries, causes the heart to pump faster in times when there is increased need for circulation such as during exercise or stress or when there is increased amount of blood in individuals who are pregnant or sick such as those with heart failure or kidney disease. Thus, hypertension can just be a manifestation or symptom of severe anemia where the heart is forced to pump blood harder due to the increased demand for oxygen in the body to compensate for the low amounts of hemoglobin that carry the oxygen. So yes, hypertension and anemia are not the same but they can occur simultaneously.

In general, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult your doctor so you can be assessed completely. By also initiating a healthy balanced diet with lesser salty foods and saturated fat, with regular physical activity, smoking cessation and moderate alcohol drinking - you may address possible underlying nutrient deficiencies that contribute to your symptoms and can help start leading you to a healthier you!

/AET

References:
• UpToDate. (2022). Patient education: Anemia caused by low iron (The Basics). UpToDate. Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/anemia-caused-by-low-iron-the-basics?search=anemia%20patient%20education&source=search_result&selectedTitle=3~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=3

• UpToDate. (2022). Patient education: High blood pressure in adults (The Basics). UpToDate. Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-blood-pressure-in-adults-the-basics?search=hypertension%20patient%20education&source=search_result&selectedTitle=7~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=7

• Jameson, J. L., Fauci, A.S., Kasper, D.L., Hauser, S.L., Longo, D.L., & Loscalzo, J. (2018). Harrison's principles of internal medicine, 20th ed. United States of America: McGraw-Hill Education.

• Aherrera, J.A.M., Abrahan IV, L.L., Tiongson, M.D.A., Gauiran, D.T.V., Yu, M.G.Y. & Banzuela, E.P.C. (2021). IM Platinum, 4th ed. Quezon City: Top Practice Medical Publishing Corp.