Anemia
Anemia is a medical condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells in the body is lower than normal.
Red blood cells are blood cells that are responsible for delivering oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.
When red blood cells in the body are few and disturbed, the body cannot receive enough oxygen.
Symptoms of Anemia
The most common Anemia symptoms are the body quickly feels tired and looks pale and often complains of cold. Some other symptoms that may occur include:
- Always feel irritable.
- Headache.
- Having trouble concentrating or thinking.
- Constipation.
If it occurs at a severe level, the following conditions will appear if the disease gets worse:
- Blue to the white color of the eyes.
- Nails become brittle.
- There is a desire to eat ice cubes, dirt, or other things that are not food (this condition is known as “pica”).
- Dizziness when standing.
- Pale skin color.
- Hard to breathe.
- Tongue feels sore.
Causes of Anemia
Possible causes of anemia include:
- Consumption of certain medications.
- The elimination of red blood cells earlier than usual due to immune system problems.
- Have a history of chronic illness, such as cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or ulcerative colitis.
- Abnormal forms of red blood cells occur, such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease, which are inherited.
- Is pregnant.
- Having health problems with the bone marrow, such as lymphoma, leukemia, myelodysplasia, and multiple myeloma.
Types of Anemia
Determining the type of anemia is classified based on the type of cause, including:
Based on nutritional intake problems
- Pernicious anemia: One of the causes is a vitamin B12 deficiency. It occurs because of an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12.
- Iron deficiency anemia: Occurs when the body doesn’t have enough iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen throughout the body.
- Megaloblastic anemia: Occurs due to vitamin deficiency that occurs when the body does not get enough vitamin B12 and/or vitamin B9 (folate).
Based on the presence of genetic damage
- Sickle cell anemia: The red blood cells are shaped like stiff, sticky sickles, which can block blood flow.
- Fanconi anemia: A rare blood disorder.
- Diamond-Blackfan anemia: This inherited disorder prevents the bone marrow from producing red blood cells properly.
Based on the presence of red blood cell abnormalities
- Hemolytic anemia: A condition in which red blood cells are destroyed or die more quickly than normal.
- Aplastic anemia: Occurs when stem cells in the bone marrow do not produce enough red blood cells.
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A condition in which the immune system attacks red blood cells.
- Sideroblastic anemia: Occurs due to not having enough red blood cells and too much iron in the body.
- Macrocytic anemia: The bone marrow makes large red blood cells.
- Microcytic anemia: Occurs when red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin so the size of the red blood cells is smaller than normal.
- Normocytic anemia: Red blood cells are fewer than normal and do not have the normal amount of hemoglobin.
Anemia Medication Recommendations
Here are some recommended drugs that you can use to treat anemia.”
- Sangobion 5 Strip (4 Capsules/Strip) – Save Bulk. Supplements containing iron and other vitamins, which can be used to treat anemia, caused by iron and other mineral deficiencies.
- Iberet Folic-500 10 Tablets. This supplement not only contains iron, but also vitamin C, vitamin B complex and folic acid. You can consume it to overcome and prevent anemia or iron deficiency.
- Maltofer Chewable 6 Tablets. Maltofer Chewable contains 100 mg of iron, which can help treat latent iron deficiency or anemia. This supplement is widely recommended for pregnant women, especially for the prevention of iron deficiency.
- Pyrabal 500 mcg 10 Capsules. Next is Pyrabal which contains mecobalamin to treat peripheral neuropathy (peripheral nerves), and megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Blood Supplement Tablets 3 Strips (10 Tablets/Strip) – Save on Bulk Purchases. These are blood supplement tablets containing iron and folic acid, to help overcome anemia that commonly occurs during pregnancy, menstruation, breastfeeding, and post-bleeding.
- Feroplus 10 Effervescent Tablets. This supplement can help overcome anemia in the elderly, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. This is thanks to the content of vitamin B12, vitamin C, folic acid, and iron in it.
Diagnosis of Anemia
Here are some common tests and examinations, including:
1. Blood test
Blood tests aim to measure the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.
Your doctor may also check your blood for hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. If your hemoglobin levels are low, this may indicate anemia.
2. Physical examination
The doctor will perform a physical examination to see if there are any physical signs of anemia, such as pale skin, a red and swollen tongue, a rapid heartbeat, and different breath sounds.
3. Bone marrow test
Bone marrow testing occurs when the doctor’s diagnosis is dominant.
The examination procedure involves taking a sample of bone marrow from the spine or hip for analysis.
Anemia Treatment
Here are some treatments that can be done, including:
1. Increase iron intake
Iron is an important nutrient for the formation of red blood cells.
Iron-rich foods, such as red meat, liver, green vegetables, and beans, can help increase iron levels in the body.
If dietary intake is inadequate, your doctor may recommend iron supplements.
2. Taking vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is another important nutrient that plays a role in the formation of red blood cells.
Foods that contain vitamin B12 include meat, fish, and dairy products. If your vitamin B12 levels are too low, your doctor may recommend vitamin B12 injections or supplements.
Well, this is a blood-boosting drug to help overcome anemia symptoms.
3. Consuming folic acid
Folic acid is an essential nutrient for cell growth and DNA formation.
Folate deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia. Sources of folate are green vegetables, fruits, and grains.
If dietary intake is inadequate, your doctor may recommend folic acid supplements.
4. Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion may occur if the condition is very severe and the symptoms can be life-threatening.
In a blood transfusion, a donor who has healthy blood will transfuse some of his blood to the patient.
5. Drug therapy
Some medications can help increase red blood cell production.
For example, the hormone erythropoietin can stimulate the production of red blood cells, while medications such as antibiotics or corticosteroids can help treat infections or inflammation.