Anemia


The difference between macrocytic anemia and microcytic anemia.
Anemia can be classified according to the morphological characteristics of red blood cells into macrocytic anemia, normocytic anemia, and microcytic hypochromic anemia. The diagnosis of macrocytic anemia includes a mean red blood cell volume greater than 100fL and a mean red blood cell hemoglobin concentration between 32%-35%. Common diseases associated with macrocytic anemia include megaloblastic anemia, hemolytic anemia with extensive reticulocytosis, myelodysplastic syndromes, and liver diseases. Microcytic hypochromic anemia, on the other hand, is diagnosed when the average red blood cell volume is less than 80fL and the average red blood cell hemoglobin concentration is less than 32%. Common diseases associated with microcytic hypochromic anemia include iron deficiency anemia, sideroblastic anemia, and thalassemia.


How is anemia treated?
Patients with severe anemia require red blood cell transfusion as supportive treatment. If the degree of anemia is not severe, blood transfusion is not necessary. All anemic patients should undergo relevant examinations to determine the cause of the anemia, which can then inform the treatment plan to address the underlying cause. For instance, patients with nutritional anemia need to receive treatment that supplements the materials necessary for blood formation; in cases of anemia caused by malignant hematologic diseases such as leukemia or myeloma, chemotherapy is required to treat the primary disease; for patients with acute hemorrhagic anemia, it is necessary to identify and correct the cause of the blood loss.


Which department is for anemia?
There are many causes of anemia, and anemia is just one clinical manifestation of many diseases. Which department to visit for anemia should be determined based on the clinical symptoms of the patient. For example, if an anemic patient has symptoms of the digestive tract such as black stools, nausea, vomiting, or even vomiting blood, it is advised to visit the department of gastroenterology. If a female patient also has an increased amount of menstrual flow, prolonged periods, or other irregular menstrual conditions, it is advised to visit the department of gynecology. If a patient has unexplained fever, anemia, and petechiae on the body, it is recommended to visit the department of hematology.


How to use diet to supplement after surgery anemia?
Postoperative anemia is mostly hemorrhagic anemia. Apart from promptly stopping bleeding and administering blood transfusions, dietary supplementation can also promote the rapid recovery of red blood cells and improve anemia. Therefore, it is possible to include blood-enriching foods such as lean meat, pork liver, pig's blood, and iron-rich vegetables like black fungus, spinach, and rapeseed, as iron is a crucial raw material for synthesizing hemoglobin. Additionally, it is necessary to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, which are rich in folic acid and vitamin B12, also essential raw materials for the recovery of red blood cell production. Therefore, these nutrients can be appropriately supplemented in daily diet.


Can anemia cause headaches?
Anemia can cause headaches because when anemia occurs, the entire body is in a state of ischemia and hypoxia. The severity of anemia varies, and so does the extent of ischemia and hypoxia in the body. When anemia is severe, the body is in a significantly compromised state of ischemia and hypoxia. Ischemia and hypoxia in the nervous system can manifest as headaches. Additionally, symptoms can include a feeling of heavy-headedness, and even cerebral infarction, which are caused by anemia. After correcting the anemia by transfusing red blood cells, the headaches will alleviate.


Can anemia cause tinnitus?
Anemia can lead to tinnitus. The occurrence of tinnitus due to anemia often indicates that the anemia is severe. At this time, transfusion of red blood cells as supportive treatment, and correcting the anemia afterwards, will make the tinnitus disappear. The reason anemia causes tinnitus is that it leads to a state of ischemia and hypoxia in various organs of the body. In the auditory system, this is manifested as tinnitus; in the nervous system, it is also manifested as dizziness, headache, a feeling of heaviness in the head, and even cerebral infarction; in the cardiovascular system, it is manifested as palpitations and panic.


Symptoms of anemia
Patients with anemia are prone to symptoms like fatigue, tiredness, and dizziness. Generally, anemia is caused by a disorder in blood production. The most typical symptoms of anemia can include dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and pale complexion. It is advised that patients with severe symptoms should visit a formal hospital promptly and undergo targeted treatment according to medical guidance. It is recommended to drink plenty of water and engage in physical exercise regularly to boost the body's immunity. Dietarily, it is advisable to avoid spicy, stimulating, and cold foods to prevent aggravating the condition. It is also recommended to avoid staying up late and sitting for long periods.


What should I do about adenomyosis-related anemia?
When suffering from adenomyosis, patients often experience an increase in menstrual flow. Prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to anemia. At this time, drug treatment should be initiated first. Some medications can be used to stop bleeding, and minimally invasive surgery or interventional treatment can also be considered to remove the affected areas of adenomyosis. In terms of diet, it is important to consume foods rich in protein that aid in blood replenishment. Additionally, an appropriate supplement of vitamin B and vitamin C is necessary, and it's crucial to actively work on blood replenishment to avoid risking the patient's health. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)


What to eat for postpartum anemia
In general, if anemia occurs postpartum, it is recommended to undergo further examination to understand the specific causes of postpartum anemia, and then to treat the condition accordingly. If iron deficiency anemia occurs postpartum, it is necessary to promptly supplement iron to correct the anemia symptomatically. If the anemia is due to a lack of certain vitamins leading to megaloblastic anemia, it still requires specific oral medication treatment based on the underlying cause. During the treatment process, it is also necessary to closely monitor the specific recovery from anemia after taking oral medications. If anemia persists without relief, further examinations are needed to exclude the possibility of blood system diseases causing the anemia. (Medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)


How to deal with anemia and dizziness?
Dizziness during anemia is caused by the anemia itself, as the body is in a state of ischemia and hypoxia during anemia, leading to dizziness due to ischemia and hypoxia in the nervous system. In addition to dizziness, there is also a feeling of heavy-headedness and headaches. To quickly improve these symptoms, it is necessary to transfuse red blood cells and correct the anemia. However, after correcting the anemia, due to the limited lifespan of red blood cells, if the cause of the disease is not clearly identified and treated accordingly, the patient will still experience anemia and symptoms like dizziness again.