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What Does The Sudden Onset Of Anemia Indicate?
Question: Hello, again, Dr. Jnikolla. My 91 year old father went for the second blood test which revealed anemia. His doctor has now said that he didn't have bronchitis for which he took antibiotics, but rather GERD. She was apparently not over-concerned about the sodium and said he should take Ensure and Vitamin B12. Historically he has had a GFR below 60, now in the 40s. Now they are talking about an endoscopy and colonoscopy to try to discover the source of the anemia, despite the fact that he shows no blood in stool, urine or through his mouth. His blood pressure has improved since last week, now up to 120/75 from 85/55 etc.
How do we understand a sudden onset of anemia that has made him so tired since March 3?
How do we understand a sudden onset of anemia that has made him so tired since March 3?
Brief Answer:
Anemia due to nutritional deficit most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As per the clinical history of your father is concerned please follow like this:-
1) Do a clinical examination by your Doctor [preferably Hematologist] and do a test (Peripheral blood smear) to identify the size and shape of his red blood cells to determine the exact cause of anemia.
2) Discuss with his Doctor to take further iron supplements orally or injectable. She's right, he should start taking the Ensure and Vitamin B-12 supplementation.
Do follow lifestyle modifications like this-
1) Take iron-rich foods to include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruits.
2) Take folic acid, which can be found in citrus fruits and juices, bananas, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified bread, cereals, and pasta.
3) Take Vitamin B12 and this vitamin is found naturally in meat and dairy products.
4) Take foods containing vitamin C such as citrus fruits, melons, and berries that help increase iron absorption.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask further.
Regards,
Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo, General & Family Physician
.......................................................................................................................
Brief Answer:
Regarding anemia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As per his clinical history, as well as his age, is concerned, in my opinion, at present there is no need for these tests. Please follow the advice given earlier and discuss this with his doctor also.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask further.
Regards,
Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo, General & Family Physician
Anemia due to nutritional deficit most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As per the clinical history of your father is concerned please follow like this:-
1) Do a clinical examination by your Doctor [preferably Hematologist] and do a test (Peripheral blood smear) to identify the size and shape of his red blood cells to determine the exact cause of anemia.
2) Discuss with his Doctor to take further iron supplements orally or injectable. She's right, he should start taking the Ensure and Vitamin B-12 supplementation.
Do follow lifestyle modifications like this-
1) Take iron-rich foods to include beef and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruits.
2) Take folic acid, which can be found in citrus fruits and juices, bananas, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified bread, cereals, and pasta.
3) Take Vitamin B12 and this vitamin is found naturally in meat and dairy products.
4) Take foods containing vitamin C such as citrus fruits, melons, and berries that help increase iron absorption.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask further.
Regards,
Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo, General & Family Physician
.......................................................................................................................
Brief Answer:
Regarding anemia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As per his clinical history, as well as his age, is concerned, in my opinion, at present there is no need for these tests. Please follow the advice given earlier and discuss this with his doctor also.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask further.
Regards,
Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you, can colonoscopy and endoscopy be avoided because of his age?
How long would it take him to get over the weakness from the anemia so he could travel by plane back to his home in Canada? Thank you.
How long would it take him to get over the weakness from the anemia so he could travel by plane back to his home in Canada? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Anemia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
"As" per your query is concerned to discuss with your Doctor for injectable medication [Iron & vitamin B12] so that he can feel better within 15 days. After that take a regular diet as suggested.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo, General & Family Physician
Anemia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
"As" per your query is concerned to discuss with your Doctor for injectable medication [Iron & vitamin B12] so that he can feel better within 15 days. After that take a regular diet as suggested.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
Dr. Uday Nath Sahoo, General & Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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