Anemia health advice

Anaemia is a condition in which there is a lack of red blood cells in the body. These red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, but due to anaemia, the amount of oxygen being carried around your body decreases. It often causes tiredness, extreme fatigue, and breathless.

Blood transfusion is one of the common ways to treat severe anaemia. This gives instant relief from the symptoms of anaemia, although the treatment can be temporary and more than one transfusion may be required. Before the donor blood is transfused in your body, it is cross-matched with your blood to ensure that there are no severe side-effects. Some of the common side-effects of blood transfusion can be mild headaches, rise in temperature and a skin rash. The repetition of blood transfusion is entirely dependent upon your medical condition. Some people require more than one transfusion; however, with more transfusions, the risk of iron-overload increases. Iron overload can be a harmful condition and may require its own treatment. Your doctor can judge your medical condition and decide whether you require more than one transfusion.

Because contraceptive pills control menstrual bleeding, these pills can help in reducing anaemia. However, women with high blood pressure and pregnant or lactating women with a baby under six months are not advised to take these pills.

You can also take some simple steps yourself to treat anaemia. Increase your intake of iron-rich foods—such as red meat, tofu, nuts, green vegetables, or eggs. You should also increase your intake of Vitamin C rich foods, as Vitamin C helps in iron absorption.