Anaemia occurs when your body produces insufficient red blood cells or the ones it does have aren’t working correctly. Severe anaemia refers to a more serious condition that can significantly impact your health. Symptoms of low haemoglobin, such as fatigue and shortness of breath, are often indicators of anaemia severity.
Haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells made in the bone marrow, is in charge of carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Severe anaemia occurs when there is insufficient haemoglobin or red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen supply. Timely iron deficiency treatment and anaemia supplements can help manage this condition.
Iron is crucial for haemoglobin production. A lack of dietary iron or poor absorption can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, the most common cause of severe anaemia.
Anaemia can result from insufficient vitamin B12 or folic acid, nutrients essential for red blood cell production.
Acute or chronic blood loss, from heavy periods, internal bleeding, or injuries, can cause severe anaemia.
Conditions like kidney disease, cancer, or rheumatoid arthritis can impair red blood cell production, leading to anaemia.
Disorders such as leukaemia or aplastic anaemia affect the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy red blood cells.
The breakdown of red blood cells, triggered by infections, medications, or autoimmune diseases, can result in anaemia.
Severe anaemia often manifests with noticeable symptoms such as:
Essential for iron deficiency treatment. Foods like spinach, red meat, and beans can also boost iron intake.
Supplements for vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies are effective.
For immediate relief, blood transfusions can quickly increase red blood cell counts.
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents may be prescribed for chronic anaemia.
Managing diseases like kidney disorders or cancer is vital.
To stop significant blood loss, surgical intervention may be required.
The right foods can help treat or prevent anemia, especially if it is caused by iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiencies. Some essential foods include:
Certain foods and beverages can inhibit the absorption of iron or interfere with red blood cell production, especially if you have iron deficiency anemia. These include:
Diet plays an essential role in treating mild cases of anemia, especially when it's due to nutritional deficiencies. However, severe anemia or anemia caused by other factors (such as chronic disease, bone marrow disorders, or genetic conditions) may require additional treatments, including:
While a nutritious diet is crucial, it may not be enough by itself to treat more severe or non-nutritional causes of anemia.
If your anemia is improving with dietary changes, you may notice the following signs:
However, the best way to confirm improvement is through blood tests, such as a hemoglobin level check and a serum ferritin test.
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Milk and dairy products are not harmful for people with anemia, but calcium in dairy can interfere with the absorption of iron if consumed in large quantities with iron-rich meals. It’s best to avoid consuming large amounts of milk at the same time as iron-rich meals or supplements.
However, small amounts of dairy (like adding cheese or yogurt to a meal) are generally fine, especially if the primary concern is iron deficiency, as long as there’s a gap of 1-2 hours between calcium-rich foods and iron intake.
Preventing severe anemia depends on the cause, but general strategies include:
In many cases, anemia can be reversed with appropriate treatment. For example:
However, some forms of anemia, particularly those related to chronic conditions like aplastic anemia, bone marrow disorders, or hemolytic anemia, may require long-term treatment or management.