Have you been diagnosed with anemia? Are you looking for the best treatment methods for your anemia? If yes, you’re on the right page.
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a medical condition characterized by lower than normal amounts of red blood cells, or hemoglobin. It is majorly caused by iron deficiency.
However, it is important that you know that anemia can also be caused by other factors such as vitamin deficiency, chronic diseases, and inherited diseases.
Establishing the underlying cause of your anemia is a very crucial step in your treatment journey. Without a knowledge of this, your doctor may not be able to treat your anemia.
Usually, the treatment for one type of anemia is inappropriate and dangerous for another type of anemia. Blood tests are typically carried out to confirm the underlying cause of anemia and the severity of the condition.
Anemia Caused by Iron Deficiency
Without adequate iron, the body can’t produce the red blood cells it needs for its activities.
Eating a diet low in iron, blood loss and menstrual bleeding are the common causes of iron deficiency. Taking iron supplements containing the ferrous form of iron is usually recommended to victims of this type of anemia.
You should also try to increase the amount of iron in your diet by taking foods like red meat, beans, egg yolk, and nuts.
Anemia Caused by Vitamin Deficiency
Anemia can also be caused by low levels of Vitamin B12 and Folate in your body.
Your doctor will most likely prescribe vitamin B12 injections and folic acid supplements if your body stores are depleted of Vitamin B12 and Folate respectively.
Anemia Caused by Chronic Diseases
This type of anemia is rampant among people with chronic kidney disease, some cancers, and inflammatory diseases. The best approach to this type of anemia is to treat the chronic disease whenever possible.
If symptoms become severe, a blood transfusion or injection of recombinant human erythropoietin may be necessary.
The kidneys are the organs of the body that produce erythropoietin which is why patients with kidney disease are often diagnosed with and treated for anemia.
Anemia Caused by Inherited Diseases
Anemia has been found to be passed from parents with certain genes to their children. Generally, hereditary anemia is categorized into Hemolytic anemia and Inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS).
Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed too quickly. It can be managed by avoiding suspect medications, treating related infections and taking drugs that suppress your immune system, which may be attacking your red blood cells.
IBMFS is a rare disorder in which the marrow doesn’t produce enough blood cells. Treatment includes medication, chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.