To treat anaemia, it is necessary to increase the amount of haemoglobin in the bloodstream, which is the blood component that carries oxygen to different body parts.
One of the major causes of the decrease in haemoglobin is the lack of iron in the body; therefore, increasing the consumption of foods rich in this nutrient is an excellent way to enhance the treatment indicated by the doctor, especially when it comes to a case of anaemia, for lack of iron.
Here are three simple but essential tips that allow you to enhance the treatment of anaemia in cases of iron deficiency:
- Eat foods with iron at every meal
Foods rich in iron are mainly red meat, chicken, eggs, liver and some plant foods such as beets, parsley, beans and lentils.
In addition, cooking food in an iron pot also helps to increase the amount of iron in these foods. See three tricks to enrich foods with iron.
- Eat acidic fruits with meals
The iron in plant foods such as beans and beets is more difficult to absorb by the intestine, requiring vitamin C to increase this rate of absorption by the body. Therefore, consuming acidic fruits and fresh vegetables with meals, which are generally rich in vitamin C, helps to fight anaemia.
So, good tips are to drink lemon juice during meals, eat fruits such as oranges, pineapples or cashews for dessert, and make juices rich in iron and vitamin C, such as beetroot juice with carrots and oranges.
- Avoid the consumption of foods rich in calcium
Foods high in calcium, such as milk and dairy products, lower iron absorption and should avoid during the main course, such as lunch and dinner.
These precautions must be followed throughout the treatment for anaemia and do not exclude the need to take medication prescribed by the doctor, but it is a natural way to complete and enrich the diet.
When to take medicine for anaemia
Medicines for anaemia are prescribed when haemoglobin values are below reference values, such as haemoglobin less than 12 g/dl in females and less than 13 g/dl in males. In addition, it is also recommended to take medication to prevent anaemia after a long surgery, before pregnancy and after childbirth, for example.
Usually, the drugs are in the form of tablets or capsules. Still, in more severe cases, it may be necessary to take the medication by vein, through injection into the muscle or through blood transfusion, as instructed by the doctor.
The remedies prescribed by the doctor may vary according to the type of anaemia and may be recommended:
- Decreased iron levels
In this case, the use of drugs high in folic acid, ferrous sulfate and iron, such as Folifolin, Endofolin, Hemototal, Fervit, Festival, Iberol and Vitafer, is usually indicated to increase the amount of iron and its transport to the body. These remedies are generally shown in microcytic, hypochromic or iron deficiency anaemia cases. Therefore, it is usually recommended by the doctor that the drug be taken with meals for about three months.
- Decreased levels of vitamin B12
Anaemia due to decreased levels of vitamin B12, also called megaloblastic anaemia, should be treated with cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin, such as Alginac, Profil, Permadoze, Jaba 12, Metiocolin, Etna simultaneously with multivitamins such as Suplevit or Century, for example.
- Severe anaemia
When anaemia is severe, and the patient has haemoglobin levels below ten g/dl, for example, a blood transfusion may be necessary to receive the missing blood cells and reduce the symptoms of anaemia. However, after the transfusion, it is generally required to maintain iron intake through pills.
- Anemia in pregnancy
To prevent the occurrence of anaemia in pregnancy, it is common to take pills, such as folic acid in tablets, before and during pregnancy, but only under medical advice. In addition, after vaginal delivery, excessive blood loss may occur, which can cause anaemia, which is why it is necessary, in some cases, to take iron.
- Home remedies
To help treat anaemia, you can take a home remedy like strawberry juice, beetroot juice, nettle or mugwort tea. In addition, drinking pineapple juice with parsley is good for fighting anaemia, as these foods are rich in vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption.
