Anemia, one of the most common blood disorders, occurs when the level of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the body becomes too low. This can lead to health problems because RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body's tissues. Anemia can cause a variety of complications, including fatigue and stress on bodily organs. Women and people with chronic diseases are at increased risk of anemia.
Signs and Symptoms
Anemia may cause a variety of signs and symptoms. It can also make almost any other underlying medical condition worse. If anemia is mild, it may not cause any symptoms. If anemia is slowly ongoing (chronic), the body may adapt and compensate for the change; in this case there may not be any symptoms until the anemia becomes more severe.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Decreased energy
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations (feeling of the heart racing or beating irregularly)
- Looking pale
- Headaches
- Problems concentrating
- Shortness of breath (especially during exercise)
Symptoms of severe anemia may include:
- Chest pain, angina, or heart attack
- Dizziness or light-headedness (especially when standing up or with exertion)
- Fainting or passing out
- Rapid heart rate
- If the anemia is caused by excessive destruction of RBCs, symptoms also may include jaundice, a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, an enlarged spleen, and dark tea-colored urine.
Types of anemia:
There are many types of anemia. All are very different in their causes and treatments.
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Vitamin deficiency anemia
- Anemia caused by chronic disease
- Aplastic anemia
- Leukemia
- Hemolytic anemia
- Sickle cell anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia, the most common type, is very treatable with diet changes and iron supplements. Some forms of anemia develops during pregnancy, some types of anemia may present lifelong health problems.
Tests
- Blood tests used to diagnose some common types of anemia may include
- Blood levels of vitamin B12, folic acid, and other vitamins and minerals
- Bone marrow examination
- Red blood count and hemoglobin level
- Reticulocyte count
- Ferritin level
- Iron level
Complications
Severe anemia can cause low oxygen levels in vital organs such as the heart, and can lead to a heart attack.
Herbal Remedies for Anemia
Eat the seeds of fenugreek as it is rich in iron. The leaves of fenugreek also help in blood formation.
2. Soak 1 teaspoon of the Black sesame seeds in warm water for a couple of hours, they should be ground and strained, and then mixed with a cup of milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar. This emulsion should be given to patients suffering from anemia. Black sesame seeds are rich source of iron and works very effectively in the treatment of anemia.
2. Soak 1 teaspoon of the Black sesame seeds in warm water for a couple of hours, they should be ground and strained, and then mixed with a cup of milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar. This emulsion should be given to patients suffering from anemia. Black sesame seeds are rich source of iron and works very effectively in the treatment of anemia.
Treatment:
Self-Care at Home
Very little can be done to self-treat anemia and medical treatment is generally needed. It is important to continue to take any medication that is prescribed for other chronic (long-lasting) medical problems. If the reason for anemia is known, then measures to keep it under control are very important. For example, if anemia is caused by a stomach ulcer, then medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen should be avoided, unless otherwise directed by a doctor.
Medical treatment of anemia varies widely and depends on the cause and the severity of anemia.If anemia is mild and associated with no symptoms or minimal symptoms, a thorough investigation by a doctor will be done in the outpatient setting (doctor's office). If any cause is found, then appropriate treatment will be started.
For example, if anemia is mild and is found to be related to low iron levels, then iron supplements may be given while further investigation to determine the cause of the iron deficiency is carried out. On the other hand, if anemia is related to sudden blood loss from an injury or a rapidly bleeding stomach ulcer, then hospitalization and transfusion of red blood cells may be required to relieve the symptoms and replace the lost blood. Further measures to control the bleeding may occur at the same time to stop further blood loss.
Blood transfusion may be required in other less critical circumstances as well. For example, an individual who is receiving chemotherapy for a cancer may be expected by the treating physician to have bone marrow problems related to the chemotherapy. Therefore, the doctor may check blood counts routinely, and if the levels get to a low enough level, he or she may order a red blood cell transfusion to help with the symptoms of anemia.
Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system
Erythropoietin, a medicine that helps your bone marrow makes more blood cells
Supplements of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, or other vitamins and minerals.
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