Low blood and frequent blood loss time considered the same. Namun actually, tothese two conditions are different things. Symptom low blood and low bloodit looks similar at first glance but The causes and methods of treatment are very different.
In medicine, low blood pressure is known as hypotension. A person is said to have this condition if his blood pressure is less than 90/60 mmHg. The number 90 is the blood pressure when the heart is contracting (systolic), and the number 60 is the blood pressure when the heart is relaxing.
While the term lack of blood refers to anemia, not to low blood pressure. Anemia is a condition in which the body lacks red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin which binds oxygen and delivers it throughout the body.
Normal Hb levels for each person vary depending on age and gender. The following is the range of normal Hb values:
- Adult males: 13 g/dL (grams per deciliter)
- Adult women: 12 g/dL
- Pregnant women: 11 g/dL
- Infant: 11 g/dL
- Children 1–6 years: 11.5 g/dL
- Children and adolescents aged 6–18 years: 12 g/dL
Hb levels can be known through a complete blood examination in a medical laboratory. If blood laboratory tests show that the hemoglobin level is less than 13.5 grams/dL in men or less than 12 grams/dL in women, this condition is called anemia.
Low Blood Pressure or Hypotension
Low blood pressure can be caused by various things, such as lack of body fluids (dehydration), pregnancy, consumption of certain drugs, bleeding, heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid hormone disorders.
Symptoms experienced by people with blood pressure can include:
- Dizzy
- Blurred vision
- Difficult to concentrate
- Body feels weak
- Pale and cold skin
- Short and fast breath
- The pulse is felt fast and weak
- Faint
These symptoms are often non-specific and can be caused by other conditions. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will measure blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer. If necessary, the doctor will also perform other tests to look for causes of low blood pressure.
Treatment for low blood pressure depends on the cause. But in general, doctors will recommend drinking enough water, increasing salt consumption, but still in a reasonable amount, exercising regularly, and taking medication to raise blood pressure.
Lack of Blood or Anemia
The body needs a variety of nutrients, such as iron, protein, vitamin B12, and folic acid, to produce hemoglobin, an important component in red blood cells that functions to bind oxygen.
Anemia occurs when the body lacks hemoglobin, and is generally caused by a lack of iron intake. This condition is known as iron deficiency anemia. Decreased levels of hemoglobin in the blood can inhibit the work of red blood cells to supply oxygen throughout the body.
Anemia occurs when the body lacks hemoglobin, and is generally caused by a lack of iron or vitamin B12 and folic acid intake. Other causes of anemia are bleeding, pregnancy, failure of the bone marrow to produce blood cells, many red blood cells rupture, and chronic kidney disease.
Symptoms that are often felt by people with anemia are:
- Headache
- Dizzy
- limp body
- Skin looks pale or even yellowish
- Feet and hands feel cold
- Hard to breathe
- Heart rate becomes faster
- Chest pain
- ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
Some of these symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of hypotension. Therefore, doctors will usually recommend blood tests in a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis. From the results of this examination, the doctor will determine the patient's red blood cell and hemoglobin levels.
Treatment of anemia also depends on the cause. If anemia is caused by a lack of the hormone erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys to stimulate the formation of red blood cells, the doctor will give you an injection of erythropoietin.
Meanwhile, if anemia is caused by a lack of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 intake, it is recommended to eat a variety of high-nutrient foods, such as meat, beef liver, chicken liver, green vegetables, nuts, and fruits, including watermelon, apricots, prunes and raisins.
However, if you feel it is lacking, you can increase your iron intake by taking supplements. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends iron supplements at a dose of 30–60 mg for adults to prevent anemia and increase hemoglobin levels.
Again, the symptoms that arise due to low blood pressure and lack of blood are indeed similar. However, the causes and ways of treating these two conditions are very different.
Therefore, an examination by a doctor is needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment. So, if you experience persistent symptoms of dizziness or weakness, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.
Written by:
dr. Irene Cindy Sunur