What is Anemia?
The red blood cells in our bodies are responsible for carrying oxygen via the blood to the tissues. When our body is not in a position to make sufficient oxygen-carrying red blood cells, the condition is known as anemia. Having anemia makes one feel extremely weak and tired.
Anemia has various types, and its severity can range from mild to extreme to severe. While in some cases, anemia can be short-term and can be corrected with a healthy diet and supplements, in other cases, it is long-term and may need a medical procedure to be corrected.
Home care services provide doctor home visits, blood transfusions, medicine delivery, and many more healthcare services for anemia. If any person is suffering from long-term anemia, it is advisable to visit the doctor and get suggestions based on your severity.
Types of Anemia
Iron Deficiency Anemia
This type of anemia is the most common one and occurs due to a deficiency in iron, a very important element to produce hemoglobin: a substance that helps the red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues.
Iron supplements and an iron-rich diet can correct iron deficiency anemia in most cases. However, in some cases, doctors may prescribe additional tests and procedures if they suspect a case of internal bleeding.
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia is rare and happens when our body stops producing enough new cells. It can show up suddenly in an individual or develop slowly, worsening over a period of time. Aplastic anemia can show up at any age and subject you to a greater risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding.
Home visit doctors in Delhi prescribe medications, blood transfusions, and stem cell therapy.
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
This type of anemia occurs due to a lack of healthy red blood cells due to certain vitamin deficiencies, such as folate, vitamin B12, and C. It can even occur if a person does not have a vitamin-rich diet or if their body fails to process or absorb these vitamins. In most cases, vitamin deficiency anemia can be corrected using vitamin supplements and a healthy diet.
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a part of the group of disorders commonly known as sickle cell disease. The red blood cells, which are usually super flexible and round and move freely through the blood cells, end up being sickle-shaped. This means that their rigid and sticky texture often gets stuck in the blood vessels, resulting in the slowdown or blockage of blood flow and oxygen to various body parts.
While there is no cure currently for sickle cell anemia, treatments can help in relieving pain and complications associated with the condition.
Thalassemia
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder wherein the body fails to produce adequate hemoglobin, an important substance that helps red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues.
While mild thalassemia does not require treatment as such, severe thalassemia may need one to undergo blood transfusions.
Symptoms of Anemia
Coming to the symptoms commonly associated with anemia. One must know that the symptoms are primarily dependent on the cause of anemia. If a chronic disease is responsible for anemia, the symptoms of the disease itself may mask anemia. In a few cases, people may not show any prominent signs, while in some cases, they may experience:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Irregular heartbeats
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness/Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Cold hands and feet
It is important to note in the initial stages. Anemia is so mild that one may not even witness any of these symptoms. But over a period of time, these symptoms intensify as the anemia worsens.
Conclusion:
It is important to undergo regular health checkups to know if you have any type of anemia or risks of anemia due to low hemoglobin/iron or vitamin deficiency, etc. so that it can be corrected at the right time before it progresses into something severe. Consult professional home visit doctors in Chennai and get immediate and timely care in the comfort of your home. Apart from doctor home visits, services such as blood transfusions, IV infusions, injections, medical equipment, and many more can be available at your doorsteps.
