Anaemia: Symptoms and Treatment
Anaemia is a common side effect of chemotherapy that is rarely discussed. According to one study, 89.5% of people with solid tumours receiving chemotherapy experienced some degree of anaemia. There was thankfully only mild to moderate anaemia in the vast majority of these people.
What is Anaemia?
Anaemia is caused by the body not having enough red blood cells, which causes hemoglobin, the main protein of red blood cells, to become deficient. As oxygen flows through your body, this protein carries it to your organs and tissues. When your body's oxygen levels are too low, you may feel fatigued and short of breath.
Causes of Anaemia
As a result of chemotherapy, your bone marrow and kidneys are damaged. Typically, this does not last long and anaemia improves a few months after chemo is completed.
Most of the components of your blood are made up of bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue found inside your bones. Every day, it produces billions of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Among them are white blood cells for fighting infections and platelets for controlling bleeding. Fat is also stored in bone marrow and converted into energy when needed.
On the other hand, the kidneys play an even more significant role! If your kidneys weren't functioning, your bone marrow wouldn't know when to make red blood cells. As a result of the kidneys creating erythropoietin, this occurs. After being made, it acts on red blood cells to prevent them from being destroyed. It also stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
Anaemia Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Depression
- Shortness of Breath
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Lightheadedness or Dizziness
- Poor Concentration
- Loss of Appetite
- Skin that looks paler than usual
- Headaches
- Fainting
Get in touch with your cancer team if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. With a complete blood count, you can find out if it is anaemia or not and get the right treatment.
Anaemia Treatment
Iron and other supplements |
Your doctor may give you a prescription for an iron supplement, folic acid (vitamin B9) or vitamin B12) or you may be told to eat more high iron foods like red meats, enriched grains and cereals. |
Blood Transfusions |
The transfusion increases the number of red blood cells in your blood. This means that more oxygen can be carried around your body to your tissues and organs. This will increase your energy levels and reduce breathlessness. |
Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents | A medical professional can administer erythropoietin stimulating agents as a shot under your skin. They’re synthetic versions of the hormone erythropoietin produced by your kidneys. This hormone stimulates the production of red blood cells. |
My Top Tips
Although symptoms do go away after treatment has finished, they can last for a few weeks. Try these simple tips below.
Sufficient Sleep |
|
Staying Hydrated |
|
Iron-Rich Foods |
|
Vitamin C enhances iron absorption |
|
Keeping a journal of your symptoms |
This will help keep your cancer care team up to date and reduce the risk of symptoms becoming worse. |