Low hemoglobin as a Side Effect of Chemotherapy -

Low hemoglobin as a Side Effect of Chemotherapy


Like other side effects, anemia is also one of the most common side effects seen in people undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or cancer that affects bone marrow such as leukemia. It can occur due to other factors such as surgery, kidney issues, poor diet etc as well.

This condition is characterized by the decrease in the number of red blood cell counts which carry oxygen throughout the body.

Symptoms of anemia:

Shortness of breath (trouble breathing), trouble breathing when doing simple daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs etc, Dizziness or lightheadedness, swelling in the hands and/or feet, color of skin, nail beds, mouth, and gums looking more pale than usual, extreme tiredness (fatigue).

What can you do?

Include iron rich foods in your diet-

Whole grain: like wheat, barley, quinoa, millets, brown rice, oats, etc.

Pulses and legumes: lentils, peas, Chickpeas, kidney beans and lima beans chickpeas, soybean and others

Cooked green leafy vegetables: like spinach, Fenugreek leaves, kale, drumstick leaves, shepu (baby dill leaves), broccoli, micro greens and others

Lean meat: organic chicken, fish, eggs

Soaked/ roasted nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, pistachio, cashew nuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans etc.

Dry fruits: Raisins, apricot, dried figs, prune, and dates

Fruits: pomegranate, strawberries, watermelon, fresh figs etc.

Others: tofu, tempeh (soy paneer)

Note:

*Include vitamin c rich foods like kiwi, lemon, sweet lime, tomatoes, orange etc, to increase the absorption of iron.
*Do not consume coffee/tea as a part of meal, as tannin from tea and caffeine from coffee respectively hinders iron absorption.

Check for vitamin b12 or folic acid deficiency as the same can cause anemia as well-

● Folic acid rich foods- broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables (such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach), peas, chickpeas and kidney beans, liver, eggs, asparagus, nuts and seeds, avocado, peanuts etc.

● Vitamin b12 rich foods- meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, liver, nutritional yeast.

If your Hemoglobin level drops below normal or drastically low, your doctor will suggest a supplement and/ or a blood transfusion.

References:

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/anemia.html

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