Anemia is a very common disease in which a person’s red blood cells don’t function as well as they should. Either it’s creating too few red blood cells, the red blood cells are ineffective or they are shaped incorrectly and don’t function well. Treating anemia naturally is certainly a great option when available.
One of the most common forms of anemia is what’s known as iron deficiency anemia. People who have iron deficient anemia lack iron in their bodies and don’t absorb it as well from food and natural sources. Because of this, they need to increase the amount of iron into their body. Iron deficiency anemia can be troublesome, but doesn’t often cause symptoms until it has reached a problematic level. Treating iron deficient anemia typically relies on finding ways to get more iron into the body. Even if the body isn’t processing it at 100% efficiency, there’s enough being ingested that it doesn’t need to. Check with a doctor and then try some of these iron treatments.
Iron can be found in a wide variety of foods. Typically, the body absorbs more iron from animal sources than it does from plant sources. It can be as much as 200% to 300% more iron absorbed from these sources. Oysters, poultry and lean beef are all very high sources of iron. Vegetarians have a greater challenge due to less iron being available. However, iron can still be found in several different plant based choices. This includes tofu, cashews, spinach and other dark leafy greens, and baked potatoes. Many items like cereal and bread often are iron enriched to assist people in getting enough Iron in their diet. Vegetarians and vegans need to be very aware of their iron levels if they suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
Supplements are a pretty easy way for people to increase the iron that they get. Iron supplements come in oral pill form. Iron supplements can cause some people to feel some side effects. It’s disappointing that they are more effective when they are taken without food. That’s the scenario where they can cause people to feel stomach discomfort. It’s a balance that needs to be worked out with the help of a doctor.
Iron injections are another option for people who are suffering from iron deficient anemia. Doctors may recommend that people bypass supplements for injections. Doctors may require that the first dose be taken near them to look for allergic issues with some iron injections. An iron injection is done to the deep muscle in a person’s buttocks. The injection itself doesn’t take long and the effects are fairly quick to respond. Like any other treatment, it needs to be taken on a regular schedule. If one injection is missed, or if any side effects occur, it’s important to check with a doctor.
Typically, iron is taken orally and absorbed in the stomach. However, many people are unable to do so. When people need to get their iron levels up quickly, one of the best ways to do so is through an iron infusion. This delivery method is different from others, because it injects the iron straight into the bloodstream through an IV. Iron infusions are typically completed at a hospital. This way the IV can be inserted correctly with no issues. Iron infusion procedures aren’t always short. An iron infusion can take between 3 and 4 hours to be fully completed. People getting an iron infusion will simply need to stay seated during the time while the iron enters the body. Good news about an iron infusion is that usually people will be able to resume their daily activities as soon as it’s completed.
