Anemia which literally means “lack of blood” in Greek is a reduction in the amount of red blood cells you have in the body. This can also mean that the amount of red blood cells you have is considerably less than the normal level of hemoglobin in your blood. If you have anemia, the ability of your body to bind oxygen in a hemoglobin molecule is weak because of deformed red blood cells or because of inadequate amounts of red blood cells (RBCs). Treatment for anemia may depend on the cause.
Anemia can have many types and causes. The most common cause of anemia is due to a lack of iron in the body which is a condition known as IDA or Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Some of the symptoms that anemia can cause include:
-A craving for non-food things such as wax, dirt or hair
-Angina or heart palpitations
-Dyspnea (breathing difficulties) on exertion
-Poor concentration
-Jaundice or yellowing of thee skin
-Overall fatigue or general feeling of weakness
The type of treatment for anemia a person gets depends on the type of anemia of the patient. Some types can be easily treated by dietary modifications and iron supplements. This kind of treatment plan is usually the initial phase of the treatment. There are certain forms of anemia that are fatal and may necessitate the transfusion of blood to the sufferer. Some types of anemia are mild and some are genetically inherited. Whatever the case may be, it is very important to care for one’s diet to make sure that adequate amounts of vitamin B12 and iron are included in your diet.
Treating anemia with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses an entirely different approach from that of western medicine. TCM uses herbal tonics such as Blood Tonics that are rich in iron to address anemia. The practitioner will also need to identify the factors that are causing your condition. It may be a dysfunctional organ or the body’s poor absorption of substances required to build blood in the body. Acupuncture and herbs are given to the patient to help address the problem at its source.
Christina Prieto is an Orlando acupuncturist, a certified Yoga instructor and the founder of Harmony Wellness Center in Central Florida.
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