Anemia - Treatment

Severe anemia can cause low oxygen levels in vital organs such as the heart, and can lead to a heart attack. Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of anemia, or any unusual bleeding.

Iron-deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia can be treated and cured. Your health care provider will first determine if the anemia is the result of a poor diet or a more serious underlying health problem. Then, you can be treated for both the anemia and its cause. Iron-deficiency anemia is treated with:

- Iron supplements (taken by mouth)
- Foods high in iron content

Foods High in Iron Content
The following foods are good sources of iron:
- Oysters
- Kidney beans
- Beef liver
- Tofu
- Beef (chuck roast, lean ground beef)
- Turkey leg
- Whole wheat bread
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Shrimp
- Peanut butter
- Leg-of-lamb
- Brown rice
- Raisin bran (enriched)

Treatment should be directed at the underlying cause of the anemia, and may include:
- Blood transfusions
- Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system
- Erythropoietin medication that helps your bone marrow make more blood cells
- Supplements of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, or other vitamins and minerals

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