Anemia is more common than you might think. Nearly three million people in the US have some form of anemia. It is a condition where the RBCs (red blood cells) circulating in the body drop. It is a severe condition because when the RBCs decline, the blood cannot provide adequate oxygen to the body. And the lack of oxygen makes you feel weak and fatigued.
Other common symptoms of anemia are dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, chest pain, pallid complexion, and irregular heartbeat. These symptoms may vary from individuals with mild to severe anemia.
If you have anemia and can’t afford medication because you’re underinsured or uninsured, don’t worry. We offer one of the best and most affordable medication assistance programs. Read on to learn more about anemia and how our prescription assistance programs can help patients.
4 Major Categories of Anemia
The major categories of anemia are:
1. Iron Deficiency Anemia
It is the most common type. As the name suggests, the body produces fewer red blood cells in this type of anemia due to a lack of iron. The condition may develop in people because of the following:
- Low intake of iron in their daily diet
- Heavy bleeding during periods
- Frequent donation of blood
- Endurance training
2. Macrocytic Anemia
This blood disorder occurs when the bone marrow produces unusually large red blood cells. They lack the nutrients that RBCs need to function. The condition may develop if you don’t consume or suffer from a medical condition that prevents the body from absorbing Vitamin B12 or B9 (folate) needed to generate healthy RBCs or have a medical condition. Some symptoms unique to Vitamin B12 anemia are difficulty walking, vision problems, diarrhea, forgetfulness, and glossitis.
3. Microcytic Anemia
It is a condition when the red blood cells don’t get adequate hemoglobin, so they are smaller than usual. It is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body. The underlying cause for microcytic anemia is the bone marrow’s inability to produce normal RBCs, or when you don’t have adequate iron in the system, or your ability to absorb iron is compromised.
4. Normocytic Anemia
Normocytic anemia has fewer RBCs than usual and doesn’t have the average amount of hemoglobin. The most common cause of normocytic anemia is loss of blood due to an injury or a medical condition that may cause internal bleeding. Another cause may be hemolysis which causes RBCs to break down faster.
How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose and Treat Anemia?
Your healthcare provider will perform a proper medical evaluation of your body to determine the condition’s underlying cause. They may also advise you on blood tests like complete blood count (CBC), peripheral blood smear, and reticulocyte count to measure immature RBCs in the bone marrow. Accordingly, they will provide you with a treatment plan.
Most often, the treatment plan for anemia includes:
- Follow a well-balanced and healthy diet
- Take rest and stay hydrated to avoid fatigue and loss of breath
- Intake of prescribed medication and vitamin and iron supplements to cope with iron, B12, and B9 deficiencies.
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