What should pregnant women do about anemia?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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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 Li Fang Fang
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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.

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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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Hematology
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Can anemia cause tinnitus?

Anemia can cause tinnitus. When anemia is severe, various organs of the body are in a state of ischemia and hypoxia. The nervous system can exhibit symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and a feeling of heaviness in the head, as well as tinnitus. At this point, infusing red blood cells to correct the anemia can alleviate symptoms like tinnitus. It is also important to actively seek the underlying causes of the anemia. Anemia can be categorized based on the size of red blood cells into microcytic hypochromic anemia, normocytic anemia, and macrocytic anemia. Microcytic hypochromic anemia is commonly seen in chronic disease anemia and iron deficiency anemia, normocytic anemia is commonly found in conditions such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and acute blood loss anemia, while macrocytic anemia is typical in megaloblastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of Anemia in Late Pregnancy

Anemia can be categorized into several different types, each caused by different reasons. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs in late pregnancy when the intake or absorption of iron by pregnant women is insufficient. Megaloblastic anemia is caused by a deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 in the patient's body. Additionally, there is thalassemia, which is caused by a genetic deficiency in the patient, leading to anemia in the fetus as well. Another type is aplastic anemia, which is caused by abnormal bone marrow hematopoietic function leading to anemia.

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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.