Natural Methods to Recover from Anaemia You Should Try Once
Anemia is a common yet curable condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a blood-related condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells is too low or the existing red blood cells are not functioning correctly. If detected early and treated with a specific strategy, anemia can be easily reversed within a short period of time.
The quickest route to recovery is based on knowing the root cause and adopting the appropriate combination of medical therapy and lifestyle changes. Under the advice of a hematologist and effective home treatment strategies, patients can successfully increase their red blood cell count and mitigate anaemia symptoms.
Keep reading to learn the best clinical and natural treatment approaches that aid in a faster recovery from anemia.
What are the Most Effective Medical Treatments for Anemia?
The most common treatment methods adopted by healthcare professionals to manage anemia are as follows:
- Iron Supplementation: Oral iron tablets are usually prescribed for iron deficiency anemia. In severe cases, particularly if quick results are needed or when oral supplementation cannot be tolerated well, iron may be administered intravenously (IV) to raise iron levels quickly.
- Vitamin B12 and Folate Supplements: If anemia is due to a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (vitamin B9), supplements may restore normal red blood cell production. They are administered orally or injected if your body is not absorbing the nutrients from food.However, B12 deficiency anemia often requires intramuscular injections (not just oral supplements) if due to pernicious anemia (autoimmune malabsorption).
- Blood Transfusions: For severe anemia—such as that caused by abrupt blood loss, blood transfusions can rapidly restore lost red blood cells, alleviating symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Erythropoietin (EPO): This drug promotes the bone marrow to manufacture additional red blood cells. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with anemia due to chronic diseases like kidney disease or chemotherapy.
- Bone Marrow Transplant: For some forms of anemia, like aplastic anemia or leukemia-related anemia, a bone marrow or stem cell transplant is necessary to exchange dysfunctional or damaged marrow with donor cells.
- Surgery or Medication Change: If anemia results from internal bleeding or a medication side effect, dealing with the underlying cause, such as surgery to control bleeding or a prescription change, can significantly reverse the anemia.
What are the Natural Methods to Get Relief from Anemia Quickly?
Although expert medical guidance is necessary, various natural strategies can expedite recovery from anemia when consistently practised. These home remedies are as follows:
- Consuming Iron-Rich Foods: Iron is needed for hemoglobin synthesis. For quick absorption, include heme iron sources like red meat, chicken, and fish (such as salmon and tuna). Also, add non-heme sources like lentils, spinach, quinoa, and fortified cereals, but pair them with vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes.
- Increase Vitamin B12 Intake: Vitamin B12 is essential in the production of red blood cells. Consume eggs, dairy products, beef, liver, and seafood. Vegetarians may choose plant-based milks fortified with B12, cereals, or nutritional yeast.
- Eat Folate-Rich Foods: Folate (vitamin B9) is involved in the maturation of red blood cells. Take dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, lentils, and fortified grains to increase folate levels naturally.
- Add Copper to Your Diet: Iron is complemented by the copper to form healthy hemoglobin. The best sources are shellfish, cashews, almonds, oats, and kale.
- Stay Hydrated and Exercise Sensibly: Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water each day to keep blood volume high. Walking and yoga, moderate exercises, may also stimulate red cell production without overstressing the body.
- Manage Blood Loss Prudently: If anemia results from menstruation or bleeding inside the body, find and treat the cause. In the meantime, increase iron consumption to replace the losses.
When caught in the early stages, anemia can often be reversed quickly with accurate treatment. To be precise, reversing anemia quickly requires a combination of healthcare, dietary, and lifestyle changes. However, the best course of action is to consult a healthcare provider whenever you face any symptoms related to anemia.
It is also wise to have health insurance to safeguard your health and finances during critical times. At Star Health, we offer coverage for anemia under our general insurance plans. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with reduced turnaround time across over 14,000 network hospitals in India.