- What would happen if anemia is not treated?
Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cells (RBC) or the hemoglobin levels decrease in the blood. The red blood cells contain hemoglobin which gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood to different parts of the body. In cases when the hemoglobin levels drop, there is an insufficiency of oxygen supply to the body which causes the lungs to work harder in pumping oxygen, hence causing symptoms like difficulty in breathing.
There is no definitive single cause for anemia, the condition may be caused due to various factors including viral infections, heavy loss of blood, deficiency of iron, deficiency in vitamin B12, chronic health conditions etc.
The symptoms of anemia vary depending on the cause of the condition. Since anemia is caused due to a lack of supply of sufficient oxygen to the body, the main symptoms that manifest are tiredness, weakness, and palpitations. Other common signs and symptoms of anemia are:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
The symptoms depicted by anemia are those that are generally disregarded by people upon experiencing. The symptoms of anemia may sometimes even go unnoticed as they are generally mild, however with time the symptoms get worse and may cause severe health complications. Like any other health condition, if anemia is left untreated, your body will lose the ability to fight diseases and you may get infected much easier than usual. In addition to this, the condition when left untreated will make you feel extremely weak and tired. One could develop more symptoms on leaving the condition untreated. The immediate symptoms may include constant headaches and tiredness. However, the condition can have long-term health implications as well. Chronic anemia could also cause conditions of the heart, ultimately leading to death.
Many types of anemia can be prevented. Moreover, the treatment options of anemia depend on its causes and severity. Treatment modalities include a change of diet, medications, supplements, surgery etc. The goal of treating anemia is to increase the RBC count in the blood and to treat the underlying causative factor.
- Is it possible to cure anemia, and how?
There are various causes of anemia. The treatment of the condition depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Anemia is usually curable, although this may change depending on the cause. Moreover, anemia is more like a symptom, where the condition is caused due to the lack of the body’s ability to produce red blood cells. In cases where the cause of anemia is iron deficiency, iron supplements can be taken in order to increase the iron content in the body to produce hemoglobin. Anemia caused due to nutritional deficiencies can be treated by following a healthy diet and with the help of supplements. Anemia caused due to blood loss will require hospitalization and blood transfusion. In addition to this, the bleeding will also need to be controlled and stopped.
Common forms of anemia with mild symptoms can be prevented and controlled by following a healthy diet rich in iron. Regular blood tests are recommended in order to ensure that your hemoglobin levels in the blood are normal. Do not wait until you observe any unusual symptoms to consult with a specialist.
- How can we prevent anemia?
Since the causes of anemia vary, preventive measures may help prevent episodes of iron or vitamin deficiency.
- Dietary practices will help avoid recurrence of such situations.
- Get regular blood tests done in order to rule out possibilities of any health complications.
- Understand that not all forms of anemia can be prevented, one that is caused due to a chronic health condition will have to be managed with medication and other treatment options.
- Ensure to consult with a specialist on observing unusual symptoms. Since the symptoms of anemia are rather mild and generic, they most often go unnoticed. Any delay in the diagnosis of the condition may lead to health complications in the long run.
- Some medications taken to treat underlying health conditions may also cause anemia. Speak to your Doctor in order to change the perception.
General Physician
