Anemia is having a very low level of red blood vessels in the body. The hemoglobin in red blood cells is responsible for oxygen and nutrients transport in different parts of the body. There are many causes of anemia such as high rates of red blood cell destruction, blood loss, and lack of red blood cell production. Chronic anemia can result in a long term health condition that can affect the body’s ability to produce red blood cells like cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory disease. It is good to know that there is available anemia treatment for people suffering from a medical condition.
There are symptoms that you will experience once you acquire anemia such as shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, pale skin, and fast heartbeat. The most common type of anemia is called Iron deficiency anemia characterized by a lack of iron caused by severe blood loss and poor food choices.
Aplastic anemia is a rare type of anemia that occurs when the bone marrow stops producing enough blood cells. Hemolytic anemia is a type of anemia that occurs when red blood cells easily destroyed in the bloodstream. The last type of anemia is sickle cell anemia. It is inherited anemia with the abnormal shape of hemoglobin like a crescent moon that blocks the blood vessels and restricts the transport of oxygen in the body.
There is a lot of effective anemia treatment, and it depends on what type of anemia that one may experience. Aside from medical treatments recommended by a health professional, there are science-based home remedies for anemia such as increased intake of Vitamin C, eating more green vegetables, and many more.
1. Taking Iron supplements and Changing Diet
This type of anemia treatment is to provide a remedy for deficiency anemia. Iron is an essential part to make healthy hemoglobin that is needed to treat anemia. Diet modification is the most effective way to combat this deficiency and to live a normal life. Eating foods with high in iron such as tofu, baked potatoes, cashews, and dark green leafy vegetables can help you treat anemia.
2. Increase Vitamin C Intake
Anemia can weaken the immune system and because of this, you can be more prone to infections and inflammatory diseases. Taking Vitamin C can help you to prevent anemia and it also helps in the absorption of iron. Foods that are high in Vitamin C are citrus fruits and vegetables that can be easily added in the diet.
3. Blood Transfusion
Red Blood cell transfusion is one is another anemia treatment. It is required for patients suffering from severe anemia with active bleeding, chest pain, weakness, and shortness of breath. It is given to replace replenish the loss of red blood cells in the body. It can also treat aplastic anemia to boost levels of red blood cells. However, there are different tests needed to ensure that only safe and healthy blood can be used for blood transfusion.
4. Bone Marrow Transplant
Sickle cell anemia treatment includes a bone marrow transplant. For bone marrow transplant, doctors will get healthy bone marrow cells from the donor (a healthy donor who does not have sickle cell disease). The bone marrow will be transferred to a person with sickle cell anemia to encourage the production of new healthy bone marrow. It is a major procedure that can cause a serious side effect. There are natural ways to decrease the risk of having sickle cells such as drinking plenty of water, avoid extremely hot or cold temperatures, avoid strenuous exercise or athletic training, and get plenty of rest. This sickle cell anemia treatment is for people with family history.
5. Eating More Green Vegetables
Eating more green vegetables is one of the home remedies for anemia. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens, sward chard, and dandelion greens are the best source of non-heme iron. Swiss chard and collard greens contain folate. Other best sources of folate are citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, and strawberries), whole grains, and beans. Aside from iron that you can get in green leafy vegetables, you can also get Vitamin C that is essential in treating and preventing anemia.
