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 Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can anemic people donate blood?

Patients with anemia cannot donate blood. After donating blood, due to the reduction of blood volume, it may worsen anemia and cause symptoms such as dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and other manifestations of low blood pressure. In severe cases, it can even induce acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents, so patients with anemia cannot donate blood. Clinically, the requirements for blood donors include not being anemic, weighing more than 45 kilograms, and being free of infectious diseases.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Symptoms of anemia

Patients with anemia are prone to symptoms like fatigue, tiredness, and dizziness. Generally, anemia is caused by a disorder in blood production. The most typical symptoms of anemia can include dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and pale complexion. It is advised that patients with severe symptoms should visit a formal hospital promptly and undergo targeted treatment according to medical guidance. It is recommended to drink plenty of water and engage in physical exercise regularly to boost the body's immunity. Dietarily, it is advisable to avoid spicy, stimulating, and cold foods to prevent aggravating the condition. It is also recommended to avoid staying up late and sitting for long periods.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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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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Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
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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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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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How to deal with anemia and dizziness?

Dizziness during anemia is caused by the anemia itself, as the body is in a state of ischemia and hypoxia during anemia, leading to dizziness due to ischemia and hypoxia in the nervous system. In addition to dizziness, there is also a feeling of heavy-headedness and headaches. To quickly improve these symptoms, it is necessary to transfuse red blood cells and correct the anemia. However, after correcting the anemia, due to the limited lifespan of red blood cells, if the cause of the disease is not clearly identified and treated accordingly, the patient will still experience anemia and symptoms like dizziness again.