How is anemia treated?

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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For any type of anemia, if the anemia is severe, there is a need for active transfusion of red blood cells to correct the anemia. However, anemia can reoccur after transfusion of red blood cells, and it is not a long-term solution. Therefore, after correcting anemia with red blood cell transfusion, it is still necessary to diagnose the specific cause of the anemia and treat it accordingly. For example, patients with iron deficiency anemia need iron supplementation, those with megaloblastic anemia need to be supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12, and patients with acute blood loss anemia need to find the source of bleeding and receive hemostatic treatment. Anemia caused by malignant hematological disorders like acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes requires anti-tumor treatment.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
45sec home-news-image

The hazards of anemia in pregnant women

Firstly, the occurrence of anemia during pregnancy is very common, and most cases are mild anemia, but a small proportion can be severe. The harm of anemia comes from two aspects: one is that it is harmful to the fetus, as anemia during pregnancy can affect the intellectual development of the fetus, which is very clear. Another harm comes from the mother, such as the possibility of postpartum hemorrhage or infection. If a cesarean section is performed, our hemoglobin must not be lower than 80 grams. If it is below 80 grams, a blood transfusion or intraoperative blood preparation is needed.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
1min 6sec home-news-image

What should pregnant women do about anemia?

We often find that anemia in pregnant women is very common during prenatal check-ups. There are three main reasons for anemia. The first reason is iron deficiency anemia, which is due to insufficient intake during pregnancy while the fetus requires a large amount, leading to iron deficiency anemia. The second reason is megaloblastic anemia, which is caused by insufficient intake of vitamin B6 and folic acid, resulting in anemia. Another condition is thalassemia, which is due to a genetic mutation causing anemia. For treatment of anemia, we first need to address the specific cause. If it is iron deficiency anemia, iron supplements are necessary, and the diet should include foods like pork liver and lean meat. If it is megaloblastic anemia, supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 is needed. Moreover, for thalassemia, mild cases can be observed, while severe cases may require a small amount of blood transfusion treatment.

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Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
1min 1sec home-news-image

How to supplement baby's anemia?

The treatment for childhood anemia primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause. Nutritional anemia is the most common type of anemia in children, which includes iron-deficiency anemia and megaloblastic anemia. For iron-deficiency anemia, the main treatment is iron supplementation. This can be done through dietary means, such as increasing the intake of foods high in iron like pork liver and egg yolks. Additionally, treatment should address any underlying causes of iron deficiency. For instance, if parasitic infections are causing blood loss, then treating the parasitic infection is necessary. If the anemia is due to poor dietary habits or picky eating, then changing these habits is crucial. If general treatments are ineffective, then oral iron supplements should be considered. In the case of megaloblastic anemia, it is important to address the vitamin deficiencies that cause it, namely the lack of folate and vitamin B12. Supplementation of folate and vitamin B12 is recommended.

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home-news-image
Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
56sec home-news-image

How is anemia treated?

For any type of anemia, if the anemia is severe, there is a need for active transfusion of red blood cells to correct the anemia. However, anemia can reoccur after transfusion of red blood cells, and it is not a long-term solution. Therefore, after correcting anemia with red blood cell transfusion, it is still necessary to diagnose the specific cause of the anemia and treat it accordingly. For example, patients with iron deficiency anemia need iron supplementation, those with megaloblastic anemia need to be supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12, and patients with acute blood loss anemia need to find the source of bleeding and receive hemostatic treatment. Anemia caused by malignant hematological disorders like acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes requires anti-tumor treatment.

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home-news-image
Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
47sec home-news-image

How to recuperate from anemia

How to nourish anemia depends on the specific cause of the anemia, and it varies with the specific cause. If the anemia is nutritional, this type is due to a lack of hematopoietic materials such as folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron. In this case, it is necessary to actively supplement these hematopoietic materials, including eating foods that are rich in these materials. However, if the cause of anemia is due to leukemia, aplastic anemia, myeloma, lymphoma, etc., then it is necessary to treat the underlying disease to improve the anemia. In addition, patients with anemia need to pay attention to rest, prevent catching cold, and prevent infections.