How to Treat Anemia
Anemia is a health condition where you don’t have sufficient red blood cells (RBC) to transport oxygen and nutrients to other parts of your body. This can be an effect of another health problem or a result of malnutrition. Here are some things you should know to treat anemia effectively.
Types
Iron deficiency Anemia
Vitamin deficiency anemia. When your body doesn’t have enough Folate and vitamin B-12,
you won’t be able to produce healthy red blood cells.
Aplastic Anemia is a rare type of anemia. This condition happens when your bone marrow is unable to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Hemolytic Anemia happens when RBC’s die faster than they should and your body is unable to replace these loss.
Sickle Cell anemia is characterized by your RBC having a crescent shape. Because of a problem in your hemoglobin, your red blood cells die prematurely.
Symptoms
Tiredness
Pale skin
dizziness
Clammy hands and feet
headache
Dysrhythmia
Chest pain and shortness of breath
Diagnosis
Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and may require you to have a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test. This test will determine the levels of different blood compositions, like red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin and hematocrit. The normal range of hemoglobin level for adults is 11- 15 grams/liter. An acceptable hematocrit value is between 32 and 43 %. If your test results fall below these values, you might have anemia.
Medications:
For Iron Deficiency Anemia, you might be given iron supplements to increase the amount of iron in your blood.
Vitamin B-12 injection is required to treat Pernicious Anemia. This is a lifetime therapy for people with this condition. Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia may be treated with Folic Acid supplements.
Blood transfusions or Bone Marrow transplant may be required for the management of Aplastic Anemia.
Sickle Cell Anemia are treated with Oxygen therapy, pain medications and aministration of intravenous fluids to ease pain and avoid complications. Patients with this kind of anemia also commonly undergo blood transfusion and given Folic Acid supplements. Hydroxyurea ( Droxia, Hydrea) is also prescribed to treat this condition.
Home Care
Eat healthy foods. Having enough nutrition in your body is the key to managing vitamin deficiency anemia. Here are the important nutrients that you have to take to have healthy and sufficient red blood cells.
Iron. Meats are good sources or iron. Also, include dark green leafy vegetables, beans and nuts in your diet.
Folate can be found in citrus fruits and juices, legumes and dark green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin B-12 are abundant in meat and diary products.
Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron properly. Be sure to have fruits in your diet.
Be careful when engaging in physical activities. People with anemia are prone to bruising.
Iron Deficiency Anemia is the most common type of anemia. If you have this condition, be sure to have enough iron and vitamin C in your diet.