Anemia
If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction.
Conditions that may lead to anemia include:
- Heavy periods
- Pregnancy
- Ulcers
- Colon polyps or colon cancer
- Inherited disorders
- A diet that does not have enough iron, folic acid or vitamin B12
- Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, or cancer
- Aplastic anemia, a condition that can be inherited or acquired
- G6PD deficiency, a metabolic disorder
Anemia can make you feel tired, cold, dizzy, and irritable. You may be short of breath or have a headache.
Your doctor will diagnose anemia with a physical exam and blood tests. Treatment depends on the kind of anemia you have.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Anemia
ABORTION
Habitual abortion may be due to syphilis, to endo-metritis or uterine displacement. to undue sexual excitement or to anemia or other form of malnutrition. Prevention of the accident in such cases depends upon recognizing and removing the cause. The patient must be given the benefit of the best hygienic conditions; avoid irri tant cathartics, regulating the bowels with compound liquorice powder or cascara sagrada; prescribe Uterotonic, N., B. & Co. or other Uterine Sedative; avoid large doses of quinine. - If abortion seems imminent, keep the patient at rest and give an opiate (morphine hypodermatically or opium extract by injection or suppository). If these measures fail, an aseptic tampon must be introduced and fluid extract of ergot must be given, the after treatment consisting of antiseptic irrigation of the vagina and if necessary of the uterus. absolute rest and small doses of ergot and quinine. Ergot must al ways be used with proper caution, and only a physiologically stand ardized preparation should be employed.1
Habitual abortion may be due to syphilis, to endo-metritis or uterine displacement. to undue sexual excitement or to anemia or other form of malnutrition. Prevention of the accident in such cases depends upon recognizing and removing the cause. The patient must be given the benefit of the best hygienic conditions; avoid irri tant cathartics, regulating the bowels with compound liquorice powder or cascara sagrada; prescribe Uterotonic, N., B. & Co. or other Uterine Sedative; avoid large doses of quinine. - If abortion seems imminent, keep the patient at rest and give an opiate (morphine hypodermatically or opium extract by injection or suppository). If these measures fail, an aseptic tampon must be introduced and fluid extract of ergot must be given, the after treatment consisting of antiseptic irrigation of the vagina and if necessary of the uterus. absolute rest and small doses of ergot and quinine. Ergot must al ways be used with proper caution, and only a physiologically stand ardized preparation should be employed.1
AMENORRHEA
When due to anemia and debility, combinations of aloes with iron, In an otherwise healthy subject, apiol or the essential oil of penny. royal or of rue, savine or tansy; black cohosh; manganese dioxide (or potassium permanganate), taken for at least two weeks beiore the regular time for menstruation. When due to “cold,” the sitz bath and hot infusions of pennyroyal or similar herbs; quinine with aloes or rhubarb. Cotton-root bark, ergot and similar agents are to be used always with due caution.1
When due to anemia and debility, combinations of aloes with iron, In an otherwise healthy subject, apiol or the essential oil of penny. royal or of rue, savine or tansy; black cohosh; manganese dioxide (or potassium permanganate), taken for at least two weeks beiore the regular time for menstruation. When due to “cold,” the sitz bath and hot infusions of pennyroyal or similar herbs; quinine with aloes or rhubarb. Cotton-root bark, ergot and similar agents are to be used always with due caution.1
ANEMIA
Nourishing and easily digested food with remedies for promoting digestion and overcoming a tendency to constipation may often ac complish more than hematinics. Of these iron (as reduced iron or ferrous carbonate) is most often prescribed, but in many cachectic conditions is inferior to arsenic or mercury (in minute doses). Among the most eflicient preparations are Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide, N., B. & Co., Haemo-Mangan with Arsenic, and formulas in which iron is combined with manganese, or with arsenic.1
Nourishing and easily digested food with remedies for promoting digestion and overcoming a tendency to constipation may often ac complish more than hematinics. Of these iron (as reduced iron or ferrous carbonate) is most often prescribed, but in many cachectic conditions is inferior to arsenic or mercury (in minute doses). Among the most eflicient preparations are Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide, N., B. & Co., Haemo-Mangan with Arsenic, and formulas in which iron is combined with manganese, or with arsenic.1
ECZEMA
Improve general health of patient by hygienic measures. See that the diet is simple and substantial. Fats, salted meats, pastry and all indigestible articles of food must be interdicted. See that the excretory functions are properly performed. If anemia or de bility or any constitutional taint is present, treat on general princi ples. In early stages, apply zinc ointment or zinc oxide or oleate as a dusting powder. Later, use more stimulating remedies—ointments of tar, resorcin, green soap, ichthyol, salicylic acid or oil of cade.1
Improve general health of patient by hygienic measures. See that the diet is simple and substantial. Fats, salted meats, pastry and all indigestible articles of food must be interdicted. See that the excretory functions are properly performed. If anemia or de bility or any constitutional taint is present, treat on general princi ples. In early stages, apply zinc ointment or zinc oxide or oleate as a dusting powder. Later, use more stimulating remedies—ointments of tar, resorcin, green soap, ichthyol, salicylic acid or oil of cade.1
EPILEPSY
During the seizure, amyl nitrite is the remedy most likely to be of service; chloroform must be used, if at all, with caution. To prevent the paroxysms. prescribe the bromides, particularly potassium bromide, which must be given well diluted, after meals. beginning with 10 grain doses and increasing to 25 or 30 grs., provided it does not disturb the digestion. If there is anemia, Combine with ferrous bromide or with Solution Gold and Arsenic Bmmides, N., B. & Co. Bromides of sodium and ammonium may be often advantage ously combined with the potassium salt. In the more chronic cases, acetanilid may be a better remedy than potassium bromide. In syphilitic cases potassium iodide in full doses must be used instead of the bromide. Other remedies of im portance are belladonna (combined with bromides), cannabis indica, digitalis, horse-nettle and chloral hydrate. In children, ascertain whether the irritation is due to worms and treat accordingly.1
During the seizure, amyl nitrite is the remedy most likely to be of service; chloroform must be used, if at all, with caution. To prevent the paroxysms. prescribe the bromides, particularly potassium bromide, which must be given well diluted, after meals. beginning with 10 grain doses and increasing to 25 or 30 grs., provided it does not disturb the digestion. If there is anemia, Combine with ferrous bromide or with Solution Gold and Arsenic Bmmides, N., B. & Co. Bromides of sodium and ammonium may be often advantage ously combined with the potassium salt. In the more chronic cases, acetanilid may be a better remedy than potassium bromide. In syphilitic cases potassium iodide in full doses must be used instead of the bromide. Other remedies of im portance are belladonna (combined with bromides), cannabis indica, digitalis, horse-nettle and chloral hydrate. In children, ascertain whether the irritation is due to worms and treat accordingly.1
References
1) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.