Contents:
- Medical Video: Johns Hopkins Medicine | Aplastic Anemia
- Blood booster medicine
- 1. Multivitamins and iron
- 2. Epoetin alpha
- 3. Hydroxyurea
- Home care to increase red blood cells
- 1. Eat nutritious food
- 2. Exercise regularly
- 3. Take probiotics
Medical Video: Johns Hopkins Medicine | Aplastic Anemia
When a person lacks blood, most likely symptoms that will appear are weakness, dizziness, and weakness. This condition is called anemia, where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to various body tissues. If you have anemia, the sign is that you need blood boosting drugs to meet the needs of red blood cells so that the body can function properly.
Blood booster medicine
There are many types of blood enhancing drugs. You can't carelessly take these drugs. We recommend that you check directly with the doctor so that the doctor can determine which drug best suits your condition. Your doctor may recommend the following types of blood boosting drugs.
1. Multivitamins and iron
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency. For this reason, administration of drugs containing multivitamins and iron is intended to fulfill the needs of vitamins and iron that you do not get from food.
In addition, both are also often used to treat iron deficiency or vitamins caused by certain diseases, pregnancy, digestive disorders, and other conditions.
Always consume drugs according to doctor's rules. Do not drink more than the recommended dosage. In addition, avoid taking other multivitamins within two hours before or after taking this drug.
Usually these anemia drugs should not be consumed by pregnant women without a doctor's permission. For that, tell your doctor if you are pregnant to adjust the type of medication that is safe.
2. Epoetin alpha
Epoetin alpha is a form of human-made protein that helps the body produce red blood cells. This protein can be reduced when you experience kidney failure or use certain drugs.
Epoetin alpha is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy or chronic kidney disease, or anemia caused by the use of zidovudine to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Epoetin alfa is also used to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusion in people who undergo certain surgical procedures.
This blood booster medicine is injected under the skin or into a blood vessel through an IV. However, doctors do not recommend using this drug if you have high blood pressure that is difficult to control, and have pure red cell aplasia (a type of anemia) after using epoetin alfa, or using epoetin alfa multidosis bottles while pregnant and breastfeeding.
3. Hydroxyurea
This medication is usually prescribed for people who suffer from sickle cell anemia to reduce pain and reduce the need for blood transfusions. Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary anemia in which there is no healthy red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body. If usually red blood cells are round then in this condition the cells are shaped like a crescent moon, stiff, and sticky. As a result, cells have difficulty moving through blood vessels that can slow or stop the flow of blood and oxygen to all parts of the body.
Usually doctors prescribe these drugs based on body weight, medical conditions, laboratory test results, and the body's response to treatment. This medicine is taken by swallowing it whole without destroying, chewing, or opening the capsule.
Home care to increase red blood cells
1. Eat nutritious food
In addition to taking blood boosting drugs, you can also eat foods with various ingredients that can increase red blood cells such as:
Iron
- Red meat like beef
- Beef liver
- Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale
- Egg yolk
- Peas
Folate
- Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and kale
- Nuts
- Avocado
- Papaya
- Banana
- Kiwi
Vitamin B-12
- Beef
- Fish
- Dairy products
- Egg
Copper
- Poultry meat like chicken, duck
- Shells
- Peas
- Cherry
Vitamin A
- Sweet potato
- Pumpkin
- Carrot
- Red paprika
- Watermelon
- Blew
When you eat the food above, avoid drinking tea because it can interfere with the absorption of iron in your body. If indeed you really want to drink tea, it should not be the same as the food above. Wait about 2 hours after eating.
In addition, to increase iron absorption, you can eat foods above close to eating fruits that are rich in vitamin C such as guava and strawberries.
2. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise is very good for health, including those who lack red blood cells. Besides being healthy, exercise is also an important key to producing red blood cells. When exercising, the body needs more oxygen. When the body needs oxygen, the brain then signals the body to produce red blood cells.
Therefore, if you have anemia, it's a good idea to do a sport that you enjoy rather than just being silent. Jogging, swimming, and relaxing can be a sports choice that you can do to help increase red blood cells in the body.
3. Take probiotics
Eating various foods and supplements containing probiotics can keep the digestive system healthy. Probiotics do not directly increase red blood cell production. However, probiotics can help keep the intestines healthy so that they can absorb various vitamins and minerals properly.
A study from Stanford University, United States, found that people taking probiotic supplements experienced elevated levels of B vitamins and iron. So, eating probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, pickles, miso, and various other fermented foods can maintain intestinal health to be able to perform their functions to the fullest.
