Treating anemia
A common misconception is that anemia is a singular disease that is manageable by a single medication or regimen, yet it is a heterogenous condition with many causes. The main treatment of anemia is to identify what caused it in the first place then to correct it. The only immediate correction of anemia is blood transfusion which is never considered unless the condition is life-threatening since blood transfusion is associated with its own set of complications including immunological reactions and infections.
An example to demonstrate why we don’t take anemia lightly is that when anemia results from iron deficiency, we have to be sure that that deficiency is dietary before prescribing iron supplements since it can point towards a chronic loss of blood which is far more serious than a dietary deficiency. Similarly, normochromic normocytic anemia can be caused by acute loss of blood, autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus or as a reaction to drugs or food with hemolysis which can occur in case of favism after ingesting fava beans or sulfa-containing drugs. Autoimmune anemia can be associated with other life-threatening disease like systemic lupus which has to be managed more urgently especially if the anemia is not severe.
Bone marrow disorders should also be considered in case of anemia especially if the patient is old or if it is associated with deficiency of other blood elements like white cells and platelets. Patients presenting with multiple cellular deficiencies often complain of easy bruising and spontaneous bleeding with the anemia as well as recurrent infections due to the low white cell count. Aplastic anemia is the term given to anemia due to decreased production by the bone marrow. It can be treated by managing the original cause or by bone marrow transplantation according to the cause of the condition and its severity. Anemia due to renal failure is treated by supplying the body with the deficient erythropoietin and anemia of endocrinological causes like hypothyroidism needs management of the original condition.
Overall, treating anemia should be only done at the hands of your doctor. Simple dietary anemias are treated by a GP, but if the doctor suspects a more serious condition or a condition that requires additional investigations, then they will refer you to a hematologist to ensure an accurate diagnosis and a thorough management. What you can do, however, is to protect yourself against it by following a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Ensure that your refined sugars intake is kept to a minimum and to visit your doctor if you feel any of the symptoms of anemia.