Treatment of Anemia
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 207, Word Count: 547,
Anemia is a condition where blood does not have enough red blood cells or in some cases, blood does not have enough hemoglobin. Treatment of anemia depends upon the cause of anemia. There are over 400 different types of anemia, out of which vitamin B12 anemia, iron-deficiency anemia, and folic acid deficiency anemia are common.
Treatments for Anemia
Anemia can’t be treated until the cause has been established. The treatment for one type of anemia may be dangerous for another type of anemia.
Anemia Caused by Blood Loss
· Due to accidents, large volume of blood gets wasted. This can be treated with blood transfusion, fluids, oxygen, and possibly iron supplements to build new red blood cells.
· The most common source of iron deficiency during blood loss is heavy menstrual bleeding in women.
Anemia Caused by Decreased Red Blood Cell Production
· The type of treatment in this case depends on the cause of decreased red blood cell manufacture.
· When the cause is iron deficiency, the doctor will recommend iron supplements containing the ferrous form of iron, which can get absorbed easily.
· While taking these supplements, please do watch for their side effects. Taking iron supplements with food will prevent common side effects.
· For treating anemia as a first step, the doctor will monitor the patient’s red blood cell counts, including the test of hematocrit, hemoglobin, and ferritin levels for proper treatment.
· If anemia doesn't improve with iron supplements, the doctor may prescribe iron injections. In severe cases of life-threatening iron-deficiency anemia, treatment may take place as a blood transfusion.
· Treatment of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency anemia involves supplement of vitamin B-12 injections and high doses of B-12 supplements or nasal spray. This is possible that many of the other symptoms of deficiency will improve once the body gets the needed amount of B-12.
· Sometimes people with vitamin B-12 deficiency have an everlasting inability to take in vitamin B-12 and as a result, they need injections for 1-3 months and /or pills of vitamins daily for the rest of their lives, so as to treat anemia.
· Sometimes gastric bypass surgery is associated with deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, and this leads to anemia that can be treated by providing the supplements. Doctors may recommend vitamin B-12 in your diet in the form of meat, fish, oysters, milk, cheese, and eggs.
· Treatment for folate deficiency anemia can be take place by prescribing folate supplements.
· Anemia caused by problems of the bone marrow and stem cells is difficult to treat.
· Anemia due to chronic disease can be treated with the recombinant human erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the manufacture of red blood cells.
· Anemia as a result of kidney failure can be treated with adequate dialysis, taking erythropoietin, or by kidney transplant.
· Hemolytic anemia can be treated by splenectomy which is a surgical removal of the spleen. Most people live normal life without their spleen. In extreme cases, bone marrow transplantation is a solution for definite types of hemolytic anemia.
· Sickle cell anemia is treated by a bone marrow transplant using appropriate donor.
All these treatments of anemia, along with counter drugs are important to cure anemia.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT.
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