the treatment of the anemia varies greatly. first the underlying cause of the anemia should be identified and corrected. for example anemia as a result of blood loss from a stomach ulcer should begin with medications to heal the ulcer. likewise surgery is often necessary to remove a colon cancer that is causing chronic blood loss and anemia. sometimes iron supplements will also be needed to correct iron deficiency. in severe anemia blood transfusions may be necessary. vitamin b12 injections will be necessary for patients suffering from pernicious anemia or other causes of b12 deficiency. in certain patients with bone marrow disease (or bone marrow damage from chemotherapy) or patients with kidney failure epoetin alfa (procrit epogen) may be used to stimulate bone marrow red blood cell production. if a medication is thought to be the culprit then it should be discontinued under the direction of the prescribing doctor.
how is anemia treated?