Anemia is a disease in which there is a deficiency of the blood, mainly the red blood cells. It is not extremely rare – the basic principle behind this is the deficiency of iron in the blood, due to which the oxygen binding capacity of the red blood cells decreases. The one common treatment is blood transfusion for anemia.
1. What Is Anemia?
The person diagnosed with anemia has very low hemoglobin levels. Anemia is caused due to excess blood loss, and to stop bleeding doctors prescribe various medicines. The prescribed medicine involves too much iron uptake. Sometimes blood transfusion for anemia is done to treat the need for blood.
2. What Is Blood Transfusion?
Blood transfusion usually involves the transfer of a limited amount of blood.
There are several diseases in which the body is not able to make enough blood which is required by the whole body to fulfill the required demand, In such conditions this technique becomes very necessary to keep the organs in working condition. Red blood cell transfusion is the transfer of red blood cells, and white blood cell transfusion is the transfer of white cells.
There are many criteria that are matched by the doctors through different tests to find out which blood is a good match for the patients. However, the donated blood is tested before the transfusion.
Along with this, all the blood components including red blood cells, blood vessels, and complete blood count along with IV line, blood type, platelet counts, and growth factors are also checked before transfusion.
3. Blood Transfusion Process
There is a detailed process for blood transfusion.
- Before the procedure for the blood transfusion for anemia disease, the lab technician or the assigned nurse will check the blood type whether it is A, B, AB, or O.
- The second thing that is checked by the lab technician is the Rh factor. Rh factor also plays a major role in blood transfusion.
- The blood cell on which Rh factor is present is referred to as Positive and the red blood cell on which Rh factor is absent are referred to as negative.
- Apart from the blood type and Rh factor, the blood used is selected for the transfusion must be compatible, otherwise, the antibodies present in the blood will recognize the foreign blood and kill all the red blood cells which are transfused.
- Red blood cell transfusions as well as white blood cell transfusions can take almost four hours. On the other hand, blood transfusions of other blood cells and blood components including bone marrow, platelet count, blood products, and colony-stimulating factors take less time than whole blood transfusions.
- How many blood transfusions are required totally depends on the needs of the patient. Donated blood or blood supply of blood cells in blood transfusions is regulated by expert doctors.
- After the blood transfusions of red blood cells or bone marrow, the patient feels sometimes soreness or also has bruising in the area where the IV line was supposed to be inserted.
- Before the whole blood transfusion, a small amount of blood is transfused into the patient’s body to observe the reaction in the particular patient’s body and if everything goes well then enough blood cells are transfused into the patient. The blood transfusion for anemia disease is done after all the necessary tests.
4. When Do You Need a Blood Transfusion for Anemia?
Blood transfusions are required when there is a very low number of RBCs. At that time doctor goes for a blood transfusion for anemia disease treatment along with the ongoing treatment.
5. What Is the Diagnosis of Anemia
The main diagnosis of anemia is the CBC which is also known as complete blood count. This technique is used for counting the total number of blood cells in a whole blood sample. By this method, your doctor will identify whether you are having anemia or not. This is a common test among all tests.
6. Treatment of Anemia
Platelet transfusion and blood transfusion for anemia are common treatments. Let’s discuss them one by one.
6.1. Platelet Transfusion
This is one of the promising treatments for the treatment of anemia. In this procedure, the platelets are transfused into the patient’s system.
6.2. Iron Supplements
Iron supplements are used for the treatment of deficiency of iron and folic acid. Iron molecule helps the cells retain the oxygen gas in the body. American Red Cross is recognized worldwide for helping anemia patients to recover.
7. Causes of Anemia
The Red Blood Cells which are very important in the human body are responsible for maintaining hemoglobin levels in the body and due to this hemoglobin particle, human blood is able to carry oxygen.
And if somehow these blood cells are not present in enough amounts then the person can experience anemia. But due to certain reasons sometimes these various pathways get blocked, which causes the deficiency of RBC leading to anemia. These are.
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Vitamin deficiency anemia
- Chronic disease of anemia
- Aplastic anemia
- Anemia With Bone marrow transplant
- Sickle cell disease
- Thalassemia
- Hepatitis b
- Bleeding
8. Some Common Side Effects of Blood Transfusion
We know that the most common treatment is blood transfusion for anemia disease. Many people do not have the side effects after blood transfusions, but yes, there are some people who have few side effects. These side effects are not life-threatening but can induce a lot of pain. The side effects include.
- Chills and Fever.
- In most patients, mild allergic reactions also developed along with fever and chills.
- Itching
- Rashes
Blood transfusion for anemia is usually allowed in a doctor’s office but in rare cases, it is allowed to be performed at some other places, but it is advised to be performed at the doctor’s place, for proper observation.
If any patient is having these side effects then there is no need to worry, there are medications that are available to treat these side effects.
9. Different Types of Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are of different types, it is based on the component of the blood which is going to be transfused in the patient during the treatment. Let’s discuss these types in detail.
9.1. Red Blood Cells Transfusion
Red blood cells are the main cells of the body which are used to carry oxygen from the lungs to the other parts of the body. In this you feel tired, sometimes face difficulty in breathing.
If the count of red blood cells is very much low then the doctor will go for a red blood cell transfusion.
9.2.Platelet Transfusions
In this, the platelets are transfused or transferred to the patient under the doctor’s observation. This task is very tedious and requires an experienced doctor’s presence.
9.3. Plasma Transfusions
If the coagulating factor is removed from the blood, then it is referred to as plasma. Under this condition, particularly the plasma of one person is transfused or transferred to the patient with the help of the doctor.
9.4. White Blood Cells Transfusion
If a person is suffering from anemia and their body is not able to make enough white blood cells too, it makes their immunity weak. In this situation, the white blood cells from a healthy person are transfused to the patient.
10. Final Note
Many blood banks and national heart institutes are working day and night to help patients with anemia recover and hope for their well-being. Blood transfusion is a tedious technique to perform, but has maximum efficiency, to help the patient with anemia recover.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
11.1. How safe is a blood transfusion?
Blood transfusions are usually safe. However, there can be common side effects including allergic reactions which can cause itching, rashes, and fever.
11.2. Who needs a blood transfusion?
Patients who have experienced serious injuries from accidents and lost a lot of blood in a very short time. Also, people with Anemia condition need a blood transfusion.
11.3. What should I eat after a blood transfusion?
Fish, meat, chicken, eggs, cereals, pulses, and beans are common foods that are known to be eaten after a blood transfusion.
11.4. What is a bad anemia level?
People with very low hemoglobin (6.5 to 7.9 g/dL) are considered to have severe levels of anemia.
Read more on anemia, here.
