What should pregnant women do about anemia?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
00:00
00:00

We often find that anemia in pregnant women is very common during prenatal check-ups. There are three main reasons for anemia. The first reason is iron deficiency anemia, which is due to insufficient intake during pregnancy while the fetus requires a large amount, leading to iron deficiency anemia. The second reason is megaloblastic anemia, which is caused by insufficient intake of vitamin B6 and folic acid, resulting in anemia. Another condition is thalassemia, which is due to a genetic mutation causing anemia.

For treatment of anemia, we first need to address the specific cause. If it is iron deficiency anemia, iron supplements are necessary, and the diet should include foods like pork liver and lean meat. If it is megaloblastic anemia, supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 is needed. Moreover, for thalassemia, mild cases can be observed, while severe cases may require a small amount of blood transfusion treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
50sec home-news-image

Symptoms of low blood pressure and anemia

Main clinical symptoms of low blood pressure and anemia: general fatigue, pale complexion, heart palpitations and shortness of breath, cerebral ischemia causing dizziness and vertigo, insomnia and frequent dreams; some patients may also experience loss of appetite, indigestion, and other symptoms. Low blood pressure and anemia are not the same disease, and their clinical treatments differ. Low blood pressure is caused by excessively low blood pressure leading to ischemia above the brain, and the treatment should aim to increase blood volume and elevate blood pressure. Anemia is caused by a reduction in hemoglobin, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in the body, and treatment should involve supplementation of nutrients and the essential trace elements that are lacking, which should be treated seriously.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
49sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
1min 5sec home-news-image

Can anemia cause tinnitus?

Anemia can cause tinnitus. When anemia is severe, various organs of the body are in a state of ischemia and hypoxia. The nervous system can exhibit symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and a feeling of heaviness in the head, as well as tinnitus. At this point, infusing red blood cells to correct the anemia can alleviate symptoms like tinnitus. It is also important to actively seek the underlying causes of the anemia. Anemia can be categorized based on the size of red blood cells into microcytic hypochromic anemia, normocytic anemia, and macrocytic anemia. Microcytic hypochromic anemia is commonly seen in chronic disease anemia and iron deficiency anemia, normocytic anemia is commonly found in conditions such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and acute blood loss anemia, while macrocytic anemia is typical in megaloblastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
47sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
38sec home-news-image

Can anemic people donate blood?

Patients with anemia cannot donate blood. After donating blood, due to the reduction of blood volume, it may worsen anemia and cause symptoms such as dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and other manifestations of low blood pressure. In severe cases, it can even induce acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents, so patients with anemia cannot donate blood. Clinically, the requirements for blood donors include not being anemic, weighing more than 45 kilograms, and being free of infectious diseases.