Anemia Natural Cures - Signs And Symptoms Of Anemia - Facts About Sickle Cell Anemia

There are three different types of anemia. The initial is a dietary insufficiency, typically of either iron or protein. From time to time other nutrients such as niacin, copper, Vitamin C, or infrequently Vitamin B-12 may be involved. Persistent blood loss can cause iron deficiency anemia.

Extreme blood damage is a second cause of anemia. Amplified blood damage comes from such disorders as hemolytic anemia, which can be due to exposure to toxic chemicals, related to certain diseases of blood-forming organs, viral infections, or rarely, to hereditary causes. A third cause of anemia is depression of the bone marrow. This condition is due to toxicity or hypersensitivity, as from taking of certain drugs and other toxic substances, or from chronic kidney disease. The average person can correct certain types of anemia by simple remedies in the home.

Other Names: Chlorosis, deficiency anemia, iron deficiency anemia, nutritional anemia, pernicious anemia.

Diet plays an essential role since foods provide the necessary nutrients for blood cell production.

Iron, proteins, vitamin B12, and folates or folic acid are the most important of these nutrients.

Vitamins B1, B6, C, E and copper are also necessary nutrients for blood production.

Signs of Anemia

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Fainting
• Breathlessness
• Heart palpitations (rapid or irregular beating)
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating

Treatment with drug medication for anemia

Epoetin alfa is a man-made, injectable drug for treating anemia. Erythropoietin is a protein that normally is made in the body by the kidney. It causes the bone marrow to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Under normal conditions, when the body senses a decrease in red blood cells or a deficiency in the supply of oxygen, more erythropoietin is produced, and this increases the number of red blood cells.

Side Effects: Epoetin alfa is well-tolerated. The most common side effects in patients with kidney failure on dialysis are high blood pressure, headache, joint-pain and clotting at the injection site. Rare cases of stinging at the injection site, skin rash and flu-like symptoms (joint and muscle pain) have occurred within a few hours following administration. Allergic reactions, seizures and thrombotic events (e.g., heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolism ) rarely occur.

Facts about sickle cell anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a dangerous ailment in which the red blood cells are in the shape of a sickle. If you do not know what a sickle is -- it is the tool which the character Death walks around with. It is "c" shaped.

Red blood cells should be smooth and rounded like a donut without the hole in the middle. This shape allows them to maneuver easily through our arteries and vain's while they deliver life giving oxygen to our cells. Someone with sickle shaped cells would have a hard time, because the "C" shaped cells cannot get around as easily. These sickle cells tend to be clumped and sticky while they move through the arteries causing the person to suffer from a lack of oxygen getting to their cells.

When the sickle cells clump up they block blood flow in the blood vessels that lead to your limbs and vital organs. This is why people with sickle cell anemia suffer great and excruciating pain. This blockage could also lead to serious infections, and organ damage or failure.

People who have sickle cell anemia was born with it, it is inherited and will be with them for the rest of their lives unlike other forms of anemia. They inherited 2 copies of the sickle cell gene from both parents. However, with proper diet and exercise the attacks could be controlled.

Natural Anemia Treatments

Drink plenty of water.

Eat a diet liberal in green, leafy vegetables. Whole-grain breads and cereals and beans are excellent blood builders.

Get adequate rest for body repair and rebuilding of blood cells.

Avoid tension.

Exercise stimulates the bone marrow to produce blood cells. Absorption of iron from the intestine is also promoted by exercise. Walk for 1 hour daily.

Sunshine stimulates blood-making. It promotes general good health. Vitamin D assists in the making of blood, and can be obtained in adequate quantities from daily sun exposure of skin, at least six-inches square.

Fresh air is essential for cleansing the blood. Good posture and deep breathing of pure air is a good way to build blood and to nourish all cells of the body. It is a natural protection against anemia.

Foods that help anemia - herbs anemia

Molasses— Molasses is one of the most iron and mineral-rich of natural products in general.

Spinach— Spinach contains more iron than meat, although it is difficult to absorb. It supplies various vitamins and trace elements that promote red blood cell production.

Sunflower seeds— Sunflower seeds are rich in iron, other minerals, and vitamin B and E. Eating unsalted sunflower seeds is particularly recommended for those who are undernourished, anemic, or convalescing.

*Image of normal and abnormal red blood cells is a courtesy of http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov