Anaemia refers to the medical condition where there is a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen to other parts of the body.

This is done through the work of haemoglobin, which is a type of protein. Generally, if you’re suffering from anaemia, it’s likely that your levels of haemoglobin are low. Given that the heart has to work harder to pump oxygen to other parts of the body, in these cases, you may notice that you’re always tired or feel sick more often than not.

Anaemia is a medical condition particularly prevalent among women and is also more common for people above the age of 75. In Australia, this age group is at risk at a rate of 16%, compared to 3.6% Australians who are less than 75 years.

This blog post looks at treatment strategies that are used by medical professionals to help you manage your condition.

Types of anaemia treatment

One thing to remember is that often, treatment of anaemia will depend and may differ significantly based on the factors that are causing the condition in the first place.

Anaemia can be caused by blood loss, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, a reduction in the production of red blood cells, and bone marrow and stem cell problems, to name just a few of the most common causal factors.

While doctors will undertake treatment in line with the specific causes of anaemia, some of the most common treatment strategies include:

Medication

One of the primary treatments for anaemia is the prescription of medication in the form of vitamins, particularly Vitamin B12 for pernicious anaemia, supplements, and antibiotics.

Antibiotics are generally recommended in cases where anaemia is caused by an infection.

In addition to prescribing medication, doctors may even alter your dose and regimen of certain medications as a part of anaemia treatment, especially if you’re taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you’re taking iron supplements to remedy the symptoms of this condition, it’s crucial that you only do so under the guidance of a professional doctor. This is because the cause of the iron deficiency needs to be identified and accidental overdose of iron supplement can lead to serious consequences.

Surgery

Another important type of treatment for anaemia includes surgical intervention. Here, surgeries can be done to prevent heavy bleeding, especially in the case of a woman’s menstruation, treatment of bleeding lesions including gastric ulcers and to removal of the spleen in patients with severe haemolytic anaemia.

Other types of treatment for anaemia

Either in lieu of or in addition to the other treatment strategies highlighted above, doctors may also recommend blood transfusions to increase the number of red blood cells and/or oxygen therapy to improve respiration and circulation within the body.

Dietary changes

While dietary changes cannot completely cure this condition, they can alleviate some of the symptoms or the severity of the symptoms you experience.

You may be asked to include more of certain types of foods (rich in iron and other vitamins) including greens like broccoli and spinach, red meat including poultry, lamb and venison, seafood, liver, nuts and seeds, beans, and other types of fortified food including rice, orange juice, and cereal.

In doing so, it’s important to avoid consuming food or drinks that block the absorption of iron such as tea, coffee, eggs, and food high in calcium and oxalates.

Receive investigation and treatment for anaemia from experienced gastroenterology specialists in Sydney

While anaemia may not seem like a life-threatening condition, effective management of its symptoms is important if you want to live a healthier life.

After discovering the reason behind your specific case of this condition, a doctor will prescribe you treatment for the anaemia that addresses the issue at the root of this deficiency. In this process, you will be able to discuss long-term condition management strategies that will help you go about your day-to-day life with minimal disruption.anaemia

For further information on anaemia treatment, request information from a team of reputed gastroenterologists at the Sydney Gut Clinic.