Anemia causes symptoms degree treatment. Anemia

Anemia (or, in simple terms, anemia) is a decrease in the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (erythrocytes) or a decrease in the amount of a key oxygen-carrying protein (hemoglobin) below a certain value. Normal levels of hemoglobin and erythrocytes are different in different groups of patients, they are associated with age and sex. In men, hemoglobin is higher, in women it is usually lower. The same applies to the number of red blood cells.

Symptoms of anemia

The symptoms of anemia are very similar for all its varieties, but depend on the severity. If the amount of hemoglobin or red blood cells that carry oxygen decreases in the body, there are serious problems with the delivery of oxygen to organs and tissues. Without oxygen, it is impossible to produce energy from food components. Therefore, people with anemia develop severe weakness and a sharp decrease in exercise tolerance. They feel weakness, lack of vitality and energy. This kind of sensation often appears already when hemoglobin drops below 10 g / dL. When hemoglobin drops below 7 to 8 g/dL, people become very weak.

The critical hemoglobin level is 6 g/dL. People who have anemia with a decrease in hemoglobin below 6 g/dL require a blood transfusion. And a drop in hemoglobin below 5 g/dl suggests the need for an emergency blood transfusion. In these patients, in addition to weakness, there are more severe symptoms. They become short of breath because the person tries to breathe faster to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried by lung function. Tachycardia also occurs, that is, the heart begins to beat faster in order to pump more blood through the vessels in a minute. In addition, when hemoglobin falls below 9 g / dl, blanching of the skin, lips and sclera is usually noted. Therefore, often the diagnosis of anemia is established on the basis of clinical signs. An experienced doctor, seeing the patient's pallor, may suspect a decrease in hemoglobin or red blood cells.

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Causes of anemia

Historically, at the beginning of the 21st century, the first types of anemia associated with the destruction of red blood cells were described. This destruction of red blood cells is called hemolysis. Hemolysis can sometimes even be seen in vitro. If the blood is taken incorrectly, the erythrocytes burst, hemoglobin is poured into the test tube and spreads through the plasma. The same thing can happen inside the vessels. Red blood cells can be destroyed for a variety of reasons - from genetic defects to long-term running on a solid substrate (marching anemia) and taking various medications.

There are a lot of genetic polymorphisms that lead either to improper synthesis of hemoglobin, or to the fact that altered enzymatic systems appear inside the erythrocyte, which, when taking certain drugs, contribute to the destruction of erythrocytes. In particular, it is a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Another type of hemolytic anemia is sickle cell anemia. People who have a heterozygous form of sickle cell anemia are more resistant to Plasmodium malaria. Heterozygotes for the genes for sickle cell anemia have a greater chance of surviving in Africa in conditions where there is a significant risk of infection with malarial plasmodium (it is more difficult for it to infect their altered red blood cells). But if both parents had heterozygous forms of sickle cell anemia, the offspring are at risk of developing a homozygous form of this disease, and this will be very severe anemia.

The destruction of red blood cells with the occurrence of hemolytic anemia in newborns is associated with the Rh conflict of mother and child. In this case, characteristic jaundice is observed, associated with the accumulation of hemoglobin decay products in the skin.

The most common cause of anemia is a lack of iron in the body. Iron is part of hemoglobin, an oxygen carrier. If there is not enough iron in the body, there is a lack of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency occurs due to improper diet, lack of iron intake and problems with its absorption. Many patients with severe illness have reduced iron absorption, even if they get enough from food.

Also one of the common causes of anemia is bleeding. That is, it is logical that the loss of blood, including bleeding from the stomach or intestines, will lead to the fact that the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin will decrease. Minor but chronic blood loss can lead to iron deficiency. In particular, mild iron deficiency anemia is not uncommon in women who constantly experience excessive physiological blood loss. Another cause of anemia is problems with the intake of vitamins necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. These problems may be due to a lack of vitamins B12 and folic acid in the diet. In particular, B12 deficiency can be observed in strict vegetarians (vegans) and people who suffer from stomach diseases.

In order for vitamin B12 to be absorbed into the body, the intake of the Castle factor from the gastric mucosa is necessary. Therefore, in patients with gastritis, B12 deficiency anemia can often be observed, because the absorption factor is not synthesized in sufficient quantities and vitamin B12 is not absorbed even with sufficient intake from food. Another factor is folic acid. Its deficiency is observed in patients with certain genetic defects and in those who abuse alcohol. A large group of causes of anemia is associated with a decrease in the number of red blood cells, which is explained by kidney problems and various severe chronic diseases. This is due to the regulation of the number of red blood cells. In response to a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood, a special factor HIF-1 is activated. After that, the kidneys give a signal to increase the number of red blood cells, synthesizing the hormone erythropoietin in the blood. This is the same hormone that athletes can use to improve athletic performance. Normally, it is synthesized by the kidneys with a decrease in the amount of oxygen in order to naturally increase the number of red blood cells. If the amount of erythropoietin decreases in kidney disease and in various chronic diseases, the number of red blood cells also decreases.

Types of anemia

Anemia is divided into different groups according to the volume of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin inside the red blood cell, and how the hematopoietic germ reacts to anemia. The correct reaction of hematopoietic growth in the presence of anemia is to increase and accelerate the formation of red blood cells. For example, with blood loss, the number of reticulocytes, immature forms of red blood cells, increases. Such types of anemia are called hyperregenerative (from the word "regeneration"). And with a decrease in the amount of erythropoietin, hyporegenerative types of anemia develop.

The volume of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin inside it depend on the amount of iron and vitamin B12 in the body. According to the volume of erythrocytes, anemias are divided into microcytic, macrocytic and normocytic. In the case of macrocytic types of anemia, the volume of red blood cells increases, with microcytic types it decreases, and in normocytic types of anemia, the number of red blood cells decreases, but their volume does not change. The same thing happens with respect to the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin. Each red blood cell can have a different amount of hemoglobin. With a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the erythrocyte, the color index decreases, therefore anemia with a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin is called hypochromic. Some anemias occur with an increase in the amount of hemoglobin in a single erythrocyte with a decrease in the total number of erythrocytes, and such anemias are called hyperchromic. And there are anemias in which the amount of hemoglobin in a single erythrocyte does not change. They are called normochromic.

Iron deficiency anemias are usually microcytic and hypochromic. Because with iron deficiency, both the volume of the erythrocyte and the hemoglobin content inside the erythrocyte decrease. Anemias associated with B12 and folic acid deficiencies are usually macrocytic. That is, with these anemias, the number of erythrocytes decreases, but the volume of each erythrocyte increases, because with B12 deficiency, the key difficulty is the formation of new erythrocytes, while their volume increases as an adaptive reaction of the body.

The most “difficult” types of anemia in diagnostic terms are normochromic and normocytic types, in which the number of red blood cells is reduced, but the volume of red blood cells is not changed, and the amount of hemoglobin inside the red blood cell remains normal. Such anemia is associated with severe chronic diseases, with kidney disease, when the kidneys do not synthesize enough erythropoietin. Such anemias are observed in oncological diseases, because the tumor can produce substances that reduce the formation of red blood cells. It turns out that with a normal amount of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron, anemia still develops. At the same time, it is normocytic (with a normal volume of erythrocytes) and normochromic (with a normal amount of hemoglobin inside the erythrocyte).

Anemia treatment

Treatment for anemia depends on what is causing the anemia. If it is iron deficiency anemia, then it is necessary to introduce additional amounts of iron into the body. Often, taking iron compounds orally (in tablets) is not effective enough, including due to insufficiently good absorption, therefore, intravenous administration of iron compounds is necessary. If the anemia is associated with bleeding, the source of the bleeding must be found and stopped. In macrocytic anemia and low vitamin B12 levels, the stomach should be examined, but it is important not to rush to administer vitamin B12 before consulting a hematologist. In most cases, a deeper examination with a trepanobiopsy is necessary to study the structure of the bone marrow. This allows you to exclude various dangerous blood diseases. If the problem is in the stomach, then it is necessary to improve its function and in parallel to introduce vitamin B12 and folic acid, if its deficiency is noted. Severe anemias, particularly in cancer patients, are also treated with iron, iron supplements, and erythropoietin can also be used. In some cases, it is necessary to introduce both erythropoietin, and iron, and vitamin B12.

// Image: Chemical structure of vitamin B-12 / wikipedia.org

It is only when hemoglobin begins to fall below 6 g/dL that it is reasonable to transfuse the donor's packed red cells to achieve an acceptable hemoglobin level. But the current strategy for the treatment of anemia suggests that if this is not an acute condition, in particular, not blood loss, then you should try as far as possible to correct blood counts by intravenous administration of iron, B12 and erythropoietin, but do not resort to red blood cell transfusion for as long as possible. because it is potentially a significantly more dangerous procedure.

In practice, an increase in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in patients who have long suffered from anemia, regardless of its cause, often leads to a dramatic improvement in well-being. Even severe patients with stage IV cancer may experience increased vitality and reduced weakness and shortness of breath when anemia is corrected.

Current research in the field of anemia

Recently, the range of markers has greatly expanded, and tests have become easier and faster to identify the causes of anemia. Simplified laboratory diagnosis of anemia. Modern research is mainly devoted to making effective drugs for the treatment of anemia. In particular, a compound of iron with carboxymaltose has recently been developed. The introduction of high doses of iron is associated with severe irritation of the inner lining of the vein, and new drugs can minimize the risk of damage to the vein and small vessels with the introduction of large amounts of iron. Erythropoietin is also being improved, more stable drugs are appearing that are suitable for longer administration. And of course, developments are underway to synthesize blood substitutes that do not contain human erythrocytes.

In Soviet times, scientists worked on the drug Perftoran to be able to use a blood-carrying blood substitute in war conditions when human blood was not available. It can be said that artificial blood was created. Its benefits are clear. Human blood has harsh storage conditions, defrosting, there is a problem of incompatibility between the blood of the donor and the recipient. If such a blood substitute is developed, it will greatly simplify the treatment of patients with severe anemia, as well as those with bleeding that develops away from places where there is prepared blood.

With a decrease in the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen in the blood, a person develops anemia. This condition accompanies many chronic diseases, with the symptoms of the disease appearing gradually. The acute form of the disease usually develops with blood loss and has a pronounced clinical picture.

The disease occurs in 10% of people, more often in young women and the elderly. It is accompanied by weakness, pallor of the skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, disruption of the internal organs. The treatment of this pathology depends on its cause, so accurate diagnosis is very important.

What is anemia

A disease accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin and red blood cells is called anemia. The definition of what anemia is, and the description of this disease was given in antiquity. The severity of the disease depends on the ability of hemoglobin to carry oxygen. Depending on its quantity, 4 degrees of the disease are distinguished:

• light (91 - 100 g / l);
• medium (89 - 70 g / l);
• severe (69 - 40 g / l);
• very heavy (less than 40 g/l).

Pathology in children occurs with the late introduction of complementary foods or malnutrition, as well as due to many other possible causes. If this disease is diagnosed in an infant, this condition must be corrected, because the lack of oxygen adversely affects the development of the baby.

Disease classification

The pathogenetic classification of anemia is based on the mechanism of their development. So, there are posthemorrhagic forms (acute and chronic) caused by blood loss. There are pathologies caused by a violation of the formation of hemoglobin and erythrocytes (iron deficiency, associated with a lack of B12 and folic acid and hypoplastic), as well as increased destruction of blood elements (hemolytic).

Definition of morphological variant:

• hypochromic: there is too little hemoglobin in red blood cells, for example, with iron deficiency syndrome;
• normochromic: aplastic, in chronic diseases, etc.;
• hyperchromic: B12- and folate-deficient.

According to the degree of severity, a mild form (hemoglobin more than 90 g / l), moderate (70 - 90 g / l) and severe (less than 70 g / l) are distinguished.

Blood pathology in newborns is more often physiological or occurs with a Rh conflict.

Iron-deficiency anemia

The most common form of hemoglobin deficiency is iron deficiency anemia. Its occurrence is associated with a deficiency in the body of iron. This trace element is part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Many people have signs of IDA, but they do not know about their disease for many years.

The causes of the disease in young women are heavy menstruation or multiple pregnancies, as well as uterine fibroids. Symptoms of the disease appear in people with chronic intestinal diseases, adherents of various diets, as well as in vegetarians with an unbalanced diet. In children, the disease is often associated with iron deficiency during rapid growth.

If a disease is detected, it is necessary to change the diet and start taking iron supplements. The iron deficiency diet includes red meat, nuts, dried fruits, leafy greens, and vitamin C, which is found in citrus fruits, for example.

Treatment of this pathology involves eliminating its cause and taking iron supplements in the form of tablets. Injections are prescribed less frequently, since iron is better absorbed through the digestive organs.

Hemolytic anemia

The term "Anaemia" in translation means "absence of blood, or anemia." Hemolytic anemia is associated with the destruction of the blood cells themselves. This disease has two main forms. The autoimmune hemolytic form occurs when the spleen invades and destroys normal red blood cells. This is caused by a disease of the immune system, when the body's own cells are perceived as foreign. As a result of an autoimmune reaction, red blood cells are destroyed.

This pathology can be acquired under the influence of infections, tumors, side effects of drugs.

In the sickle cell form, the bone marrow produces initially defective red blood cells, which are rapidly destroyed. As a result of the disease, the amount of hemoglobin in the blood decreases.

In fetuses and infants, pathology occurs during pregnancy, during which an Rh conflict occurred - the contact of the Rh-negative blood of the mother and the Rh-positive blood of the fetus. In children, the cause of the hemolytic form of the disease is a viral infection.

Clinical characteristics: pallor, weakness, fever, dizziness. Description of the signs of the disease includes dark urine, yellowness of the skin and sclera, enlargement of the liver and spleen, changes in blood tests. Treatment includes blood transfusions, corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, and surgery.

aplastic anemia

What is aplastic anemia? This is a rare blood disease in which the bone marrow stops producing blood cells. Pathology often occurs suddenly. Often this is a severe degree, which, if not treated, can cause a poor outcome.

The characteristic signs accompanying the development of the aplastic form of the disease are pallor, weakness, bleeding and hemorrhage, frequent infectious diseases. One of the causes of the disease is panmyelophthisis, that is, the replacement of the bone marrow with adipose and connective tissue. It occurs under the influence of toxins, but is often idiopathic, that is, its cause cannot be found.

hypochromic anemia

Hypochromia is a decrease in the content of hemoglobin in red blood cells. The disease is often accompanied by a decrease in the total number of red blood cells. Hypochromic anemia is most often a type of iron deficiency or is caused by thalassemia. However, its causes may also include:

• vitamin B6 deficiency;
• infections;
• lead or drug poisoning;
• bleeding with stomach ulcers or hemorrhoids;
• pregnancy;
• congenital disorders.

The disease in adults and children has similar symptoms: weakness, pallor, palpitations, shortness of breath, headache, depression, desire to eat inedible objects (chalk, paper, paints). A severe degree is accompanied by oxygen starvation of the body and degeneration of internal organs and the brain.

Diagnosis is based on blood tests that show a decrease in CP less than 0.8. What is CPU (color indicator)? This is the average content of hemoglobin in an erythrocyte. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease.

sickle cell anemia

What is sickle cell disease, or sickle cell disease: This is a hereditary hematological disease. Its pathogenesis is associated with a violation of the shape of erythrocytes: they acquire the shape of a crescent, lose their elasticity and stick together. Once in the capillaries, they cause the formation of microthrombi.

Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive condition. It appears in a child of two parents who either have this form or are carriers of a pathological gene. The etiology (cause) of genetic changes is unknown. Prevention - genetic counseling, screening of the fetus and newborn. Treatment is bone marrow transplantation, most effective in adolescents.

pernicious anemia

B12-deficient form is an autoimmune disease caused by a lack of this vitamin in the body. Pernicious anemia was previously considered a malignant disorder, but is now highly treatable. This chronic pathology is caused by a decrease in the concentration of intrinsic factor necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach. In addition, it is caused by a lack of a vitamin in food or an increased need for it, for example, during pregnancy. A typical symptom of the disease, determined by a blood test, is very large red blood cells (macrocytosis).

The reasons

Anemia is a condition with a low content of blood cells and hemoglobin. All types of disease are associated with three pathological processes:

• blood loss;
• decreased production of red blood cells;
• excessive destruction of red blood cells.

The causes of the disease vary depending on its mechanism.

Types associated with blood loss:

• after bleeding or surgery;
• with hemophilia;
• with chronic bleeding (stomach ulcer, intestinal cancer, hemorrhoids, uterine fibroids and others).

The lack of erythrocyte synthesis appears in such conditions:

• aplastic form of the disease;
• exposure to viruses, drugs or toxins;
• neonatal period;
• iron deficiency.

Lesions caused by excessive breakdown of red blood cells:

Therapy includes drug treatment appropriate to the mechanism of the disease, if necessary, blood transfusion and bone marrow transplantation. It is important to choose the right diet for anemia, which should provide the necessary nutrients.

signs

A general blood test in case of a disease reveals a lack of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. This indicates a poor supply of tissues with oxygen. Pathology can cause signs common to the entire group of diseases, as well as symptoms specific to each form. It worsens the course of any other diseases.

A mild degree may not cause clinical signs. The chronic form of any degree can be asymptomatic, as the body adapts to a constant lack of oxygen. Signs of anemia in women are less pronounced than in men, since they are better adapted to regular blood loss.

General signs:

• fatigue, weakness;
• dyspnea;
• dizziness;
• frequent heartbeat;
• pallor of the skin and mucous membranes.

The main signs of an acute form, for example, with bleeding:

• pressing or squeezing pain behind the sternum;
• dizziness and fainting;
• frequent pulse;
• cold clammy sweat.

For each form of the disease, there are specific signs that will affect the process of making a diagnosis by a doctor. However, it is often possible to recognize individual variants of the disease only after additional diagnostics.

Diagnostics

Doctors easily detect signs of pathology by conducting simple blood tests. They determine the decrease in the amount of hemoglobin and / or red blood cells. The degree of severity of the disease is determined by the severity of this decrease.

The consequences of the disease can be very severe, especially in children. They lag behind in growth and development. In adults, with a chronic form, dystrophy of internal organs develops.

Accurate diagnosis of anemia is carried out on the basis of special laboratory tests. Each type of the disease manifests characteristic diagnostically important syndromes (microcytic hypochromic pathology, hemolysis, pancytopenia, and others).

An important role is played by the clarification of hereditary factors and external examination of the patient. The doctor finds out the rate of development of the disease, chronic diseases, medication, discoloration of feces or urine, signs of alcoholism. On examination, he pays attention to the color of the skin and mucous membranes, the size of the liver and spleen, and heart murmurs. Since the pathology is often only a manifestation of another disease, the patient may be prescribed FGDS, colonoscopy and other research methods.

Basic laboratory tests:

• a blood test with the determination of the level of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, CP, platelets, leukocytes, hematocrit and reticulocytes;
• analysis of feces for blood content;
• a peripheral blood smear to assess the appearance of red blood cells;
• the level of serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B12;
• bilirubin level to assess the intensity of hemolysis;
• indicators of liver and kidney function;
• bone marrow biopsy to assess the effectiveness of hematopoiesis.

Symptoms

The main signs of anemia develop with a pronounced degree of severity of the disease and often depend on the form of the disease.

The main symptoms of anemia are listed in the "Signs of the disease" section. In addition, biochemical varieties of the disease may be accompanied by such manifestations:

• discoloration of stools, including black or tarry stools, indicating gastrointestinal bleeding;
• rapid pulse;
• low blood pressure;
• shortness of breath associated with a lack of oxygen in the blood;
• pale, cold, or icteric skin;
• murmurs in the heart;
• enlargement of the spleen.

In children, the disease is accompanied by irritability, poor appetite and growth, sudden rises in temperature, and a tendency to infectious diseases. Symptoms of the disease in women, in addition to the above, include loss of luster, brittle and dry hair, brittle nails, taste perversion.

If you suspect anemia, you should consult a doctor. In most cases, the disease is successfully treated, and health is fully restored.

Treatment

Treatment for anemia varies depending on the cause and severity. If the disease is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms, the doctor first establishes the factors that caused its development. Most often, the disease is associated with a lack of iron. After the cause of the "iron" form is found, it is eliminated. Iron preparations in the disease are effective only in this form of pathology. It is better to take them in the form of tablets.

If problems are associated with acute bleeding, the patient should be immediately hospitalized and transfused with blood products, while eliminating the cause of blood loss (for example, an acute stomach ulcer). Blood transfusions may also be needed for other forms, such as those caused by the toxic effects of cancer chemotherapy drugs.

The main drugs in the treatment of the disease:

• medicines containing iron - they must be taken during pregnancy and with microcytic iron deficiency;
• the folic acid-deficient form of the disease is treated with folic acid-based products;
• with hyperchromic B12-deficient form of moderate and severe, regular injections of preparations of this vitamin are indicated;
• erythropoietin is a drug prescribed for chronic renal failure syndrome.

How to treat anemia if it is caused by genetic disorders such as sickle cell? It is necessary to follow a diet high in vitamins and folic acid. Specific drugs are not prescribed. In children, bone marrow transplantation is indicated.

In the macrocytic hemolytic form of the disease, it is often necessary to remove the spleen, in which there is excessive destruction of red blood cells.

A common and effective method of treating aplastic form of the disease is bone marrow transplantation.

Symptoms and treatment of pathology vary depending on its causes. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult a hematologist.

In adults, it is necessary to exclude the effect of alcohol and industrial toxic factors. If necessary, surgical treatment of stomach ulcers, uterine fibroids and other diseases that cause this disease is carried out.

Home treatment includes nutritional features:

• soups on meat and fish broth, seafood, liver, cheese, dairy products, plant foods, pasta, bread, legumes are allowed;
• fats, sweets, mayonnaise and ketchup, lard and butter, canned food, smoked foods, alcohol, chocolate are limited.

Nutrition should be complete and regular. It corresponds to the dietary table number 11.

Some folk methods for the treatment of anemia: taking natural honey with radish juice, aloe juice, rosehip broth and others. These remedies are only auxiliary in nature, they cannot cure the disease.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of the disease in infants, breastfeeding is recommended for at least 4 months after birth. If the infant is bottle-fed, it is necessary to ensure that the mixture contains enough iron. Prevention of anemia in children is a nutritious diet rich in animal proteins and vitamins.

It is recommended that all girls and women before menopause have regular physical examinations and blood tests, especially if they have heavy menstrual bleeding. Iron and folic acid deficiencies can occur during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women are prescribed special vitamins.

The primary acute form of the disease is often associated with bleeding from peptic ulcer disease. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor your health and prevent the serious consequences of chronic diseases.

The origin of some pathologies is associated with household and industrial intoxications. At the same time, the body constantly experiences a lack of oxygen, which causes irreversible dystrophic changes in internal organs. Alcohol abuse should be abandoned. If necessary, a diet and medications are prescribed. Subject to the doctor's recommendations, the prognosis for most types of anemia is favorable.

Video about anemia

Many people face various diseases of the blood system. Among them, the most common diagnosis is anemia. Each person should know what types of this insidious disease are, for what reasons it occurs and how it manifests itself, so as not to start the disease, and at the first symptomatology, turn to a qualified specialist for help.

Anemia- This is a violation in the human body, in which the number of red blood cells and the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases. People are accustomed to calling this disease "anemia", but this name does not quite coincide with reality. If there is not enough iron in the blood, then the body lacks the substrate that is needed to create red blood cells.

Iron is one of the constituents of hemoglobin. Heme is the substrate that red blood cells require to bind and transport oxygen throughout the body. Anemia provokes the formation of hypoxia of peripheral cells and the brain.

Causes

There are quite a number of reasons why anemia can develop. This disease is very rare on its own. Basically, it occurs due to a malfunction of the internal organs, which negatively affects the composition of the blood.

The main causes of the disease include:

• Wrong diet. If a person’s diet includes a small amount or no products at all such as meat, liver, eggs, sea or river fish, spinach, beans, prunes, beets. Thus, important useful substances do not enter the body and, as a rule, the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases;
• Pregnancy and lactation. This is due to the fact that the child takes all the trace elements from the mother's body. Therefore, it is very important to replenish losses by consuming iron-containing foods and special vitamins;
• Loss of blood in large quantities. This happens with various bleeding (hemorrhoidal, nasal, uterine, renal, gastric);
• Chronic diseases. Pyelonephritis, cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia and other diseases leading to severe depletion of the body, as a result of which the level of hemoglobin decreases and anemia forms;
• Poisoning. Anemia can occur if red blood cells are destroyed excessively. Basically, a hereditary factor leads to this phenomenon, but also its appearance can provoke toxic poisoning. The cause of poisoning can be copper compounds, snake or bee venom, arsenic and lead;
• Gastritis. This ailment contributes to a decrease in acidity. Digestion of foods becomes worse, which leads to insufficient intake of trace elements in the human body;
• Various diets. In an effort to lose extra pounds, people limit their intake to 1000 calories per day. The body receives a small amount of iron, about 6 mg, and the daily norm is at least 15 mg;
• Failure of the body to assimilate vitamin B12 and iron. This happens due to Crohn's disease, HIV infection, surgical removal of the stomach, intestinal infection.

The body absorbs iron differently. If you eat foods of animal origin, then the absorption of iron will be approximately 10-15%, and when eating food of plant origin - only 1%.

Types of anemia

Anemia can appear for completely different reasons, so in medicine this ailment is divided according to concomitant symptoms, severity and pathogenesis. Let's take a closer look at each type.

The human body contains approximately 4–5 g of iron, of which more than half is contained in the hemoglobin component. The body is designed in such a way that it can store iron in organs such as the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Every day there are physiological losses of iron, it is excreted naturally with urine, feces, sweat, menstruation. Therefore, a person’s menu must necessarily include foods that contain a large amount of iron.

Iron deficiency anemia is formed due to the fact that there is a small amount of iron in the body. Premature babies, babies in the first months after birth and pregnant women are most susceptible to this phenomenon. In addition, the disease can be formed due to chronic blood loss and intestinal absorption disorders.

In these circumstances, a person feels shortness of breath, headaches, tinnitus, constant fatigue, tachycardia, drowsiness. and pale, hairline and nails become brittle, there is a need to use chalk or inhale the smell of wet concrete.

When passing the analysis, as a result, you can see a reduced number of hemoglobin and red cells, a decrease in volume, or the absolute absence of reticulocytes. In addition, the accumulation of serum iron becomes smaller, and red bodies - erythrocytes - begin to deform.

Aplastic anemia is a blood pathology that is transmitted to a child from parents, or acquired by a person for one reason or another. It affects bone marrow stem cells, which greatly inhibits hematopoiesis (the process of formation, development and maturation of blood cells). This type of this disease is the most severe form of hematopoietic disorders, which requires long-term and serious therapy. Mortality is recorded in 80% of cases.

Comparison of normal bone marrow and changes in it in aplastic anemia under a microscope.

Fortunately, this form of the disease occurs in only 5 people out of 1,000,000 of the population, but its insidiousness lies in the fact that, as a rule, the child and young category of humanity is exposed to it.

Often, this ailment is associated with a side effect of treatment with certain medications. Its appearance is not related to either the dosage or the duration of the course of treatment. Such drugs that can disrupt bone marrow hematopoiesis include: antihistamines, sulfonamides, tetracycline antibiotics and gold preparations.

Ionizing radiation, which is used in x-ray studies, is capable of provoking this pathology. Those most at risk are clinic workers who perform x-rays on patients and people who are treated with radio wave therapy.

In addition, the disease can occur due to toxic substances in the drugs that treat oncopathology. Autoimmune diseases can also be the culprit, because the immune system directs efforts to eliminate both disease-causing agents and its own bone marrow cells.

People who have experienced aplastic anemia feel general weakness, causeless fatigue, bleeding gums, intense and prolonged menstruation. There may also be epistaxis, fever, pallor of the skin, lowering blood pressure.

folate deficiency anemia

Folic acid is a vital substance that the body needs to function properly. It penetrates into it through the use of certain products of plant and animal origin. This acid accumulates in the human body, and if it is less than the required norm, folic acid deficiency anemia occurs.

Basically, this type of anemia is formed due to various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, since at the time of their exacerbation, beneficial substances are absorbed worse by the small intestine. This phenomenon damages the lining of the small intestine and, as a result, the absorption of important substances may completely stop.

The symptoms of the disease are very general, which makes it difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis, especially if this type of anemia is mild. Patients often experience general weakness, causeless fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and tinnitus.

If such a disease is detected in a patient, the attending doctor, before starting drug therapy, will definitely recommend reviewing his menu and making adjustments to it. In particular, add food with folic acid to it. These include greens, carrots, bran bread, grapefruits, eggs, honey, and liver. Very often, after adjusting the diet, it is possible to defeat the disease without taking various medications.

sickle cell anemia

This pathology occurs when the hemoglobin protein structure is disturbed. It is characterized by the acquisition of an unusual crystalline structure - hemoglobin S. Red blood cells that have such a changed substance have the shape of a sickle, as a result of which this pathology is called sickle cell anemia.

Erythrocytes with hemoglobin S are less stable and carry out the transport function much more slowly. This stimulates increased damage to erythrocytes, which significantly shortens their life cycle. There is also an increase in hemolysis, and symptoms of chronic hypoxia appear.

This disease is inherited. Patients with heterozygous genetics, in addition to crescent-shaped bodies carrying hemoglobin S, also have normal erythrocytes in the blood system, with hemoglobin A. Under such circumstances, the disease is little expressed, passes in a mild form, and often does not have symptoms at all. But people with homozygous genetics have exclusively crescent-shaped bodies, with hemoglobin S, then the disease is much more severe.

Such anemia is accompanied by jaundice, hemolytic crises with oxygen deficiency, swelling of the extremities, purulent wounds on the legs, visual impairment, enlargement of the spleen.

Posthemorrhagic anemia

In medicine, this disease is divided into two types - acute and chronic. The acute form is formed due to intense and massive blood loss, when the chronic form is characterized by blood loss for a long period in small quantities.

Posthemorrhagic anemia is caused by profuse blood loss during various injuries, surgical procedures, internal bleeding. In patients with posthemorrhagic anemia, the pulse quickens, body temperature decreases, cold sweat appears, regular dizziness occurs with loss of consciousness, pressure drops.

The severity of the symptoms of the disease is not always correlated with the amount of blood lost. In some cases, blood pressure may drop due to a pain response from the injury that caused the bleeding. And also the general condition of the patient directly depends not only on the amount of blood lost, but also on the rate of bleeding.

When a person loses more than 500 ml of blood, his condition is considered severe and dangerous to health. Against the background of large blood loss, vascular insufficiency and oxygen starvation occur, as the body loses a significant number of red blood cells. If timely action is not taken, the disease can be fatal.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia

With Diamond-Blackfan anemia, the functioning of the bone marrow is disrupted. Its main purpose is the production of new blood cells. This type of disease does not allow the brain to produce the required amount of blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. As a result, a lack of red cells is formed, which manifests itself in babies during the first months of life.

About 50% of patients with this disease experience physical abnormalities:

• eyes wide set;
• hanging eyelids;
• wide, flat bridge of the nose;
• small, low-set ears;
• small lower jaw;
• hole in the sky.

In addition to these deviations, they have visual impairment, improper functioning of the kidneys and heart, and opening of the urethra in guys.

A child born with Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

Basically, this syndrome is treated with blood transfusions and corticosteroids. At the same time, the courses of treatment should be short with systematic respite, in order to avoid the child becoming addicted to hormones. When adolescence ends, the need for corticosteroids disappears, and hemoglobin levels return to normal.

In medicine, anemia is distinguished by three stages of severity. To establish it, the patient needs to take a blood test.

Why is anemia dangerous?

If you do not identify anemia in a timely manner and do not start taking measures to eliminate it, then it can greatly harm human health. Any type of anemia increases the risk of oxygen starvation of the internal organs, since they are deprived of a sufficient amount of not only oxygen, but also nutrients.

The most serious complication that anemia can lead to is hypoxic coma, which in more than half of cases leads to death. In addition, a person with anemia is at risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies and respiratory failure. Women observe irregularities in the menstrual cycle, and children have inattention, irritability and frequent illnesses.

Symptoms of anemia

Symptoms of anemia directly depend on the type of disease, stage and causes that provoked the disease. But still there are common symptoms that are characteristic of all types of anemia. You should carefully monitor your condition, and immediately make an appointment with the doctor if the following signs were noticed:

• The blush disappeared from the face or became less noticeable. This can happen at the very beginning of the development of the disease;
• Pale skin and mucous membranes;
• The skin became too dry, flabby and peeling appeared. This applies not only to the skin of the hands, which is often attributed to the influence of external factors;
• Cracks began to appear in the corners of the mouth, which do not heal for more than 7 days;
• Toward evening, the legs and face swell after the usual exertion;
• The structure of the nail plate changed, the nails began to break, and;
• Hair became dry, began to break and fall out (about the fact that anemia is one of the causes of severe hair loss, we discussed in this article);
• There were regular bouts of causeless headaches;
• One feels constant fatigue, general malaise, loss of strength;
• I started to feel dizzy even at rest.

Anemia during pregnancy

A growing child in the mother's belly is not able to breathe and eat on its own, therefore, it takes all the useful elements required for its development from the female body.

Under normal circumstances, the female body produces a large number of red blood cells. In order for oxygen to bind, it needs an additional supply of iron, which makes up hemoglobin. If a small amount of iron is ingested with the help of consumed products, then the production of red blood cells slows down significantly, which cannot affect both the health of the mother and the baby.

The disease makes itself felt often in the second trimester of bearing a child. This is due to the fact that it is during this period that the need for iron increases much for the normal development of the fetus. If a woman does not take measures to eliminate anemia, then she runs the risk of giving birth ahead of schedule, and heavy bleeding may open during delivery, since this ailment leads to impaired blood clotting functions.

For a child, this condition is dangerous due to intrauterine growth retardation, because he will not have enough oxygen and useful elements. In addition to all this, this disease greatly affects the well-being of a pregnant woman. Also, problems can arise with lactation, since anemia significantly reduces the production of breast milk.

Scientists have found that during pregnancy and lactation, a woman's body loses about 900 mg of iron. It takes a long time for its reserves to recover.

Diagnostics

When a patient comes to see a doctor, he first finds out what worries the person, how long the symptoms appear, and what measures were taken to alleviate the condition. Then, when the anamnesis is completely collected, the patient is sent for a number of additional procedures:

• General blood analysis. This is a mandatory analysis that is carried out at each visit to the doctor. Under such circumstances, it is needed to determine the amount of hemoglobin in the blood system;
• Complete blood count. It is carried out to determine the color indicator, which indicates how much hemoglobin is present in the erythrocyte. This study allows you to understand how the bone marrow functions;
• Blood chemistry. The amount of iron and various fractions of bilirubin is determined by the blood that is donated from a vein.

When the specialist receives the results of all studies, he refutes or confirms the diagnosis, determines its type, degree, cause, and prescribes the necessary treatment.

On the video you can see in more detail how the above studies are carried out.

Anemia treatment

To achieve the desired effect, treatment should include complex therapy. If the disease is in the initial stage, then taking medication is not necessary. It is enough to add foods with a high content of iron, proteins and other useful substances to your menu.

The doctor prescribes medications after finding out the type of anemia, the stage of its course and the causes that led to this disease. First of all, it is necessary to direct all efforts to eliminate the cause, very often after its disappearance, the hemoglobin level returns to normal without additional drugs.

If the doctor decides that medications are necessary, then drugs are prescribed that stimulate the bone marrow in a short time to restore the amount of hemoglobin and the volume of red blood cells in the blood system. These are medicines with a high iron content (Fenyuls, Totetema, Sorbifer, Aktiferrin) and vitamin preparations (vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B complexes).

Folk remedies in the fight against anemia

Pharmacies provide a huge variety of medications to combat anemia. But some people prefer traditional medicine. The main rule of such treatment is strict adherence to the recipe and dosages. After 30 days, it is recommended to take a blood test, and if hemoglobin has not yet fully recovered, then continue treatment.

Consider the main recipes of traditional medicine:

1. Vegetable cocktail. Carrots, black radishes and beets are washed, peeled, finely grated and squeezed to make juice. The resulting liquid is mixed in equal doses, poured into a saucepan and placed in the oven for 3 hours. It is taken daily in a tablespoon for the treatment of adults and a teaspoon for children.
2. Wormwood. An effective remedy in the fight against anemia, but its disadvantage is that it is prohibited for children and pregnant women. For its preparation, 100 g of wormwood is taken, mixed with 1 liter of vodka. It is left for 3 weeks to infuse, 5 drops are taken on an empty stomach.
3. Healing cocktail. To get rid of iron deficiency anemia, pomegranate, apple, carrot and lemon are taken, juice is squeezed out of them and mixed in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. 70 g of honey is added to the resulting liquid and put in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Drink 2 tablespoons three times a day.
4. Rose hip. 1 spoon of berries is poured with 250 ml of boiling water and infused for 8 hours. Drink three times a day, as a tea.
5. Berry therapy. The juice of blackcurrant, strawberry and mountain ash is mixed in equal doses. It is taken twice a day, 125 ml.

Before starting such therapy, you should always consult with your doctor in order to avoid unpredictable consequences.

Prevention of anemia

Anemia, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than to treat, for this you need:

• eat properly and balanced, eat foods rich in iron and other useful substances;
• timely treat acute and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• systematically visit medical sanatoriums;
• stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
• get rid of extra pounds;
• avoid harmful working conditions.

By adhering to such simple rules, you can avoid not only the occurrence of anemia, but also many other diseases.

The first thing to do, noticing at least one of the above symptoms, is to visit a doctor and pass the necessary tests. It should be remembered that anemia, like any disease, is much easier and faster to cure at the initial stage of development. Take care of your health.

Anemia is considered one of the most common pathological conditions among the world's population. Among the varieties of anemia, there are several main conditions, classifying them according to the causes of anemia:

• Iron-deficiency anemia;
• hemolytic anemia;
• aplastic anemia;
• sideroblastic type of anemia;
• B12-deficient, resulting from vitamin B12 deficiency;
• posthemorrhagic anemia;
• sickle cell anemia and other forms.

Approximately every fourth person on the planet, in accordance with the research of specialists, suffers from an iron deficiency form of anemia due to a decrease in the concentration of iron. The danger of this condition is in the erased clinical picture of iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms become pronounced when the level of iron and, accordingly, hemoglobin drops to a critical level.

The risk groups for developing anemia in adults include the following categories of the population:

• followers of vegetarian principles of nutrition;
• people suffering from blood loss due to physiological causes (heavy menstruation in women), diseases (internal bleeding, severe stages of hemorrhoids, etc.), as well as donors who donate blood and plasma on a regular basis;
• pregnant and lactating women;
• professional athletes;
• patients with chronic or acute forms of certain diseases;
• categories of the population experiencing malnutrition or a limited diet.

The most common form of iron deficiency anemia is due to a lack of iron, which in turn can be triggered by one of the following factors:

• insufficiency of iron intake with food;
• increased need for iron due to situational or individual characteristics (developmental pathologies, dysfunctions, diseases, physiological conditions of pregnancy, lactation, professional activity, etc.);
• increased loss of iron.

Mild forms of anemia, as a rule, can be cured by correcting the diet, prescribing vitamin-mineral complexes, and iron-containing preparations. The moderate and severe form of anemia requires the intervention of a specialist and a course of appropriate therapy.

Causes of anemia in men

Anemia in women

Anemia in women is diagnosed when hemoglobin levels are below 120 g / l (or 110 g / l during childbearing). Physiologically, women are more prone to anemia.
With monthly menstrual bleeding, the female body loses red blood cells. The average volume of monthly blood loss is 40-50 ml of blood, however, with heavy menstruation, the amount of discharge can reach up to 100 ml or more over a period of 5-7 days. Several months of such regular blood loss can lead to the development of anemia.
Another form of occult anemia, common among the female population with a high frequency (20% of women), is provoked by a decrease in the concentration of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in the blood and releases it when the hemoglobin level decreases.

Anemia in pregnancy

Anemia in pregnant women occurs under the influence of various factors. The growing fetus removes from the maternal bloodstream substances necessary for development, including iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. With insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals with food, violations of its processing, chronic diseases (hepatitis, pyelonephritis), severe toxicosis of the first trimester, as well as with multiple pregnancy, anemia develops in the expectant mother.
Physiological anemia of pregnant women includes hydremia, "thinning" of the blood: in the second half of the gestational period, the volume of the liquid part of the blood increases, which leads to a natural decrease in the concentration of red blood cells and the iron transported by them. This condition is normal and is not a sign of pathological anemia if the hemoglobin level does not fall below 110 g / l or recovers on its own in a short time, and there are no signs of vitamin and microelement deficiency.
Severe anemia in pregnant women threatens with miscarriage, premature birth, toxicosis of the third trimester (preeclampsia, preeclampsia), complications of the delivery process, as well as anemia in the newborn.
The symptoms of anemia in pregnant women include the general clinical picture of anemia (fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, nausea, dizziness, dry skin, brittle hair), as well as perversions of smell and taste (the desire to eat chalk, plaster, clay, raw meat, sniff substances with a sharp smell among household chemicals, building materials, etc.).
Slight anemia of pregnant and lactating women recovers after childbirth and the end of the lactation period. However, with a short interval between repeated births, the process of restoring the body does not have time to complete, which leads to increased signs of anemia, especially pronounced when the interval between births is less than 2 years. The optimal recovery period for the female body is 3-4 years.

Anemia during lactation

According to the research of specialists, lactation anemia is most often diagnosed at a fairly pronounced stage of the disease. The development of anemia is associated with blood loss during delivery and lactation against the background of a hypoallergenic diet of nursing. By itself, the production of breast milk does not contribute to the development of anemia, however, when some important food groups are excluded from the diet, for example, legumes (due to the risk of increased gas formation in the child), dairy and meat products (due to allergic reactions in the infant) the likelihood of developing anemia increases significantly.
The reason for the late diagnosis of postpartum anemia is considered to be a shift in the focus of attention from the state of the mother to the child, especially in the youngest mother. The health features of the baby excite her more than her well-being, and the symptom complex of anemia - dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, decreased concentration, pallor of the skin - are most often perceived as a result of overwork associated with caring for a newborn.
Another reason for the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in nursing is associated with the wrong opinion about the effect of iron preparations that penetrate into breast milk on the functioning of the infant's gastrointestinal tract. This opinion is not confirmed by specialists, and, when diagnosing iron deficiency anemia, medicines and vitamin-mineral complexes prescribed by a specialist are mandatory.

Anemia of the menopause

Anemia during the female menopause is quite common. Hormonal restructuring, the consequences of the period of menstruation, gestation, childbirth, various dysfunctional conditions and surgical interventions cause chronic anemia, which is aggravated against the background of menopausal changes in the body.
A provocative role is also played by dietary restrictions, unbalanced diets, which are resorted to by women seeking to reduce the rate of weight gain due to fluctuations in hormonal balance in the premenopausal period and directly during menopause.
By the age of menopause, there is also a decrease in ferritin reserves in the body, which is an additional factor in the development of anemia.
Fluctuations in well-being, fatigue, irritability, dizziness are often perceived as symptoms of menopause, which leads to late diagnosis of anemia.

Anemia of childhood

According to research by the World Health Organization (WHO), 82% of children suffer from anemia of varying severity. Low hemoglobin levels and iron deficiency states of various etiologies lead to impaired mental and physical development of the child. The main causes of anemia in childhood include:

The need for iron differs in children depending on age, and after reaching puberty, it correlates with gender. Therapy of deficient anemia in children with a balanced diet is not always effective, so experts prefer regulation with medications that guarantee the intake of the required dose of trace elements in the child's body.

Anemia in infancy

A newborn baby is born with a certain supply of iron obtained from the mother's body during fetal development. The combination of imperfection of one's own hematopoiesis and rapid physical growth lead to a physiological decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood in healthy children born on time by 4-5 months of life, in premature babies - by the age of 3 months.
Artificial and mixed feeding are considered risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing anemia. Hemoglobin deficiency develops especially rapidly when replacing breast milk and / or artificial mixtures with cow's, goat's milk, cereals and other products in the period up to 9-12 months.
Symptoms of anemia in children under one year old include:

• pallor of the skin, since the skin is still very thin, there is an increased "transparency", "cyanosis" of the skin;
• anxiety, causeless crying;
• sleep disorders;
• loss of appetite;
• hair loss outside the physiological framework of the change of hairline;
• frequent regurgitation;
• low weight gain;
• lagging behind first in physical, then in psycho-emotional development, a decrease in interest, the lack of expression of the revitalization complex, etc.

A feature of children of this age is the ability for high (up to 70%) absorption of iron from food, therefore, not in all cases of anemia, pediatricians see the need for prescribing drugs, limiting themselves to correcting the child’s diet, transferring to full breastfeeding, and selecting a substitute mixture that meets the needs. With a pronounced degree of anemia, iron preparations are prescribed in an age dosage, for example, Ferrum Lek or Maltofer in the form of syrup drops.
When diagnosing a pronounced degree of anemia, the causes may not be in the diet, but in diseases, pathologies and dysfunctions of the child's body. Anemia can also be caused by hereditary diseases, some hereditary developmental disorders and diseases are characterized by a decrease in iron concentration, erythrocytopenia, insufficiency of the hematopoietic system, etc. With persistently low hemoglobin levels, a mandatory examination of children and correction of the primary disease are necessary.

Anemia in preschool children

A large-scale study conducted in 2010 revealed a high incidence of iron deficiency anemia in preschool children: every second child suffers from a lack of hemoglobin due to low iron levels. There may be various factors in the etiology of this phenomenon, but the most common is the consequences of uncorrected anemia in the first year of life.
The second factor that provokes anemia in preschoolers is often combined with the first. An insufficiently balanced diet, a lack of protein (meat products) and vitamins (vegetables) is often explained by the child's reluctance to eat meat and vegetables, preferring semi-finished products and sweets. It is purely a matter of educating and focusing parents on a healthy diet without providing alternative foods from an early age, which also requires the transfer of family members to a rationally formulated diet.
In the case when the nutrition corresponds to age norms, and the child shows signs of anemia (pallor, dry skin, fatigue, decreased appetite, increased fragility of the nail plates, etc.), an examination by a specialist is necessary. Despite the fact that in 9 out of 10 preschool children diagnosed with anemia it is due to iron deficiency, in 10% of anemia the cause is in diseases and pathologies (celiac disease, leukemia, etc.).

Anemia in children of primary school age

The norms of hemoglobin content in the blood in children 7-11 years old are 130 g / l. Manifestations of anemia in this age period increase gradually. The signs of developing anemia include, in addition to symptoms of anemia in preschoolers, decreased concentration, frequent acute respiratory viral and bacterial diseases, increased fatigue, which can affect the results of educational activities.
An important factor in the development of anemia in children attending educational institutions is the lack of control over the diet. In this age period, a sufficient level of iron absorption from food entering the body is still maintained (up to 10%, decreasing by the age of an adult to 3%), therefore, the prevention and correction of the iron deficiency type of anemia is a properly organized meal with dishes rich in vitamins and microelements based on it. .
Hypodynamia, limited stay in the fresh air, preference for games in the house, especially with tablets, smartphones, etc., dictating a long stay in a static position, also provoke anemia.

Anemia of puberty

Adolescence is dangerous for the development of anemia, especially in girls with the onset of menstruation, characterized by a periodic decrease in hemoglobin with blood loss. The second factor that provokes the onset of anemia in adolescent girls is associated with a concentration on one's own appearance, the desire to follow various diets and reduce the daily diet, and the exclusion of products necessary for health.
Rapid growth rates, intensive sports, malnutrition and anemia of the previous period also affect adolescents of both sexes. Symptoms of anemia of adolescence include a blue tint of the sclera of the eyes, a change in the shape of the nails (cup-shaped form of the nail plate), dysfunction of the digestive system, disturbances in taste, smell.
Severe forms of the disease in adolescence require drug therapy. A change in the blood formula is noted, as a rule, not earlier than 10-12 days after the start of the course of treatment, signs of clinical recovery, subject to the specialist's prescriptions, are observed after 6-8 weeks.

Causes of anemia

Anemia is characterized by a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cells in a unit of blood. The main purpose of erythrocytes is participation in gas exchange, transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as nutrients and metabolic products to cells and tissues for further processing.
The red blood cell is filled with hemoglobin, a protein that gives red blood cells and blood their red color. The composition of hemoglobin includes iron, and therefore its lack in the body causes a high incidence of iron deficiency anemia among all varieties of this condition.
There are three main factors in the development of anemia:

• acute or chronic blood loss;
• hemolysis, destruction of red blood cells;
• decreased production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

According to the variety of factors and causes, the following types of anemia are distinguished:

The classification of an anemic state is based on various features that describe the etiology, mechanisms of the development of the disease, the stage of anemia, and diagnostic parameters.

Classification according to the severity of the condition

The severity of anemia is based on blood tests and depends on age, gender and physiological period.
Normally, in a healthy adult male, hemoglobin levels are 130-160 g / l of blood, in a woman - from 120 to 140 g / l, during the gestation period from 110 to 130 g / l.
A mild degree is diagnosed when the level of hemoglobin concentration drops to 90 g / l in both sexes, with an average indicator corresponding to the range from 70 to 90 g / l, a severe degree of anemia is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin levels below the limit of 70 g / l.

Classification of varieties according to the mechanism of state development

In the pathogenesis of anemia, three factors are observed that can act individually or together:

• blood loss of an acute or chronic nature;
• disorders of the hematopoietic system, production of red blood cells by the bone marrow (iron deficiency, renal, aplastic anemia, deficiency anemia with a lack of vitamin B12 and / or folic acid);
• increased destruction of erythrocytes before the end of the functioning period (120 days) due to genetic factors, autoimmune diseases.

Classification by color index

The color indicator serves as an indicator of the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin and is calculated using a special formula in the blood test process.
A hypochromic form with a weakened color of erythrocytes is diagnosed with a color index below 0.80.
The normochromic form, with a color index within the normal range, is determined by the range of 0.80-1.05.
The hyperchromic form, with excessive hemoglobin saturation, corresponds to a color index above 1.05.

Classification by morphological feature

The size of red blood cells is an important indicator in diagnosing the cause of anemia. Different sizes of red blood cells may indicate the etiology and pathogenesis of the condition. Normally, red blood cells are produced with a diameter of 7 to 8.2 micrometers. The following varieties are distinguished on the basis of determining the size of the prevailing number of red blood cells in the blood:

• microcytic, erythrocyte diameter less than 7 microns, indicates a high probability of iron deficiency;
• normocytic variety, the size of red blood cells is from 7 to 8.2 microns. Normocytosis is a sign of the posthemarogic form;
• macrocytic, with a red blood cell size of more than 8.2 and less than 11 microns, as a rule, indicates a deficiency of vitamin B12 (pernicious form) or folic acid;
• megalocytosis, megalocytic (megaloblastic) form, in which the diameter of erythrocytes is more than 11 microns, corresponds to the severe stages of some forms, disorders in the formation of red blood cells, etc.

Classification based on the assessment of the ability of the bone marrow to regenerate

The degree of erythropoiesis, the ability of the red bone marrow to form erythrocytes, is assessed by the quantitative index of reticulocytes, progenitor cells or "immature" erythrocytes, which is considered the main criterion in assessing the ability of bone marrow tissues to regenerate and is an important factor for predicting the patient's condition and choosing methods of therapy . The normal concentration of reticulocytes is an indicator of 0.5-1.2% of the total number of red blood cells per unit of blood.
Depending on the level of reticulocytes, the following forms are distinguished:

• regenerative, indicating the normal ability of the bone marrow to recover. The level of reticulocytes is 0.5-1.2%;
• hyporegenerative, with a concentration of immature erythrocytes below 0.5%, which indicates a reduced ability of the bone marrow to self-repair;
• hyperregenerative, reticulocyte count more than 2%;
• aplastic anemia is diagnosed when the concentration of immature erythrocytes is less than 0.2% among the mass of all red blood cells and is a sign of a sharp suppression of the ability to regenerate.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA)

The iron deficiency form accounts for up to 90% of all types of anemic conditions. According to research by the World Health Organization, this form affects one in 6 men and every third woman in the world.
Hemoglobin is a complex protein compound containing iron, capable of reversible bonding with oxygen molecules, which is the basis for the process of transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
The iron deficiency form is hypochromic anemia, with signs of microcytosis, the presence of erythrocytes with a diameter less than normal in the blood formula, which is associated with iron deficiency, the basic element for the formation of hemoglobin, which fills the erythrocyte cavity and gives it a red color.
Iron is a vital trace element involved in many metabolic processes, nutrient metabolism, and gas exchange in the body. During the day, an adult consumes 20-25 mg of iron, while the total supply of this element in the body is about 4 g.

Reasons for the development of IDA

The reasons for the development of this form of the condition include factors of various etiologies.
Iron intake disorders:

• unbalanced diet, strict vegetarianism without compensation for iron-containing products, starvation, diets, taking medications, narcotic and other substances that suppress hunger, appetite disorders due to diseases of physical or psycho-emotional etiology;
• socio-economic causes of malnutrition, lack of food.

Violations of the process of absorption, assimilation of iron:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, colitis, gastric ulcer, resection of this organ).

Imbalance of consumption and intake of iron due to increased needs of the body:

• pregnancy, lactation;
• age of pubertal jumps in physical growth;
• chronic diseases that provoke hypoxia (bronchitis, obstructive pulmonary disease, heart defects and other diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs);
• diseases accompanied by purulent-necrotic processes: sepsis, tissue abscesses, bronchiectasis, etc.

Loss of iron by the body, acute or chronic post-hemorrhagic:

• with pulmonary bleeding (tuberculosis, tumor formations in the lungs);
• with gastrointestinal bleeding accompanying gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, cancer of the stomach and intestines, severe erosion of the gastrointestinal mucosa, varicose veins of the esophagus, rectum, hemorrhoids, helminthic invasion of the intestine, ulcerative colitis and others;
• with uterine bleeding (heavy menstruation, cancer of the uterus, cervix, fibroids, placental abruption in the gestational period or in childbirth, ectopic pregnancy during exile, birth trauma of the uterus and cervix);
• bleeding with localization in the kidneys (tumor formations in the kidneys, tuberculous changes in the kidneys);
• bleeding, including internal and hidden, due to injuries, blood loss from burns, frostbite, during planned and emergency surgical interventions, etc.

IDA symptoms

The clinical picture of the iron deficiency form is anemic and sideropenic syndrome, caused primarily by insufficient gas exchange in the tissues of the body.
Symptoms of anemic syndrome include:

• general malaise, chronic fatigue;
• weakness, inability to endure prolonged physical and mental stress;
• attention deficit disorder, difficulty concentrating, rigidity;
• irritability;
• headache;
• dizziness, sometimes fainting;
• drowsiness and sleep disturbances;
• shortness of breath, rapid heart rate both during physical and / or psycho-emotional stress, and at rest;
• black color of the stool (with bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract).

Sideropenic syndrome is characterized by the following manifestations:

• perversion of taste preferences, craving for eating chalk, clay, raw meat, etc.;
• distortion of smell, desire to sniff paint, household chemicals, substances with a pungent odor (acetone, gasoline, washing powder, etc.);
• fragility, dry hair, lack of shine;
• white spots on the nail plates of the hands;
• dry skin, peeling;
• pallor of the skin, sometimes blueness of the sclera;
• the presence of cheilitis (cracks, "zayed") in the corners of the lips.

In severe stages of IDA, neurological symptoms are noted: sensations of "goosebumps", numbness of the extremities, difficulty in swallowing, weakening of bladder control, etc.

Diagnosis of IDA

The diagnosis of "iron deficiency anemia" is based on external examination data, evaluation of the results of laboratory blood tests and instrumental examination of the patient.
During an external medical examination and anamnesis, attention is paid to the condition of the skin, mucous surfaces of the mouth, corners of the lips, and the size of the spleen is assessed on palpation.
A general blood test in the classical clinical picture of IDA shows a decrease in the concentration of erythrocytes and hemoglobin relative to age and gender norms, the presence of erythrocytes of different sizes (poikilocytosis), reveals microcytosis, the presence, in severe forms, the predominance of red blood cells with a diameter of less than 7.2 microns, hypochromic , weakly expressed color of erythrocytes, low color index.
The results of a biochemical blood test for IDA have the following indicators:

• the concentration of ferritin, a protein that performs the function of an iron depot in the body, is reduced relative to the limits of the norm;
• low serum iron;
• increased iron-binding capacity of blood serum.

Diagnosis of IDA is not limited to the detection of iron deficiency. For effective correction of the condition after collecting anamnesis, the specialist, if necessary, prescribes instrumental studies in order to clarify the pathogenesis of the disease. Instrumental studies in this case include:

• fibrogastroduodenoscopy, examination of the condition of the mucosa of the esophagus, walls of the stomach, duodenum;
• ultrasound examination of the liver, kidneys, female reproductive organs;
• colonoscopy, examination of the walls of the large intestine;
• methods of computed tomography;
• x-ray examination of the lungs.

Treatment of anemia of iron deficiency etiology

Depending on the stage and pathogenesis of IDA, therapy is chosen with the help of diet correction, a drug course of treatment, surgical intervention to eliminate the causes of blood loss, or a combination of methods.

Therapeutic diet for iron deficiency

Iron that enters the body with food is divided into heme, animal origin, and non-heme iron of plant origin. The heme variety is much better absorbed and its lack in nutrition, for example, in vegetarians, leads to the development of IDA.
Products recommended for correcting iron deficiency include the following:

• heme group in descending order of the amount of iron: beef liver, beef tongue, rabbit meat, turkey meat, goose meat, beef, some varieties of fish;
• non-heme group: dried mushrooms, fresh peas, buckwheat, oats and oats, fresh mushrooms, apricots, pears, apples, plums, cherries, beets, etc.

Despite the seemingly high content of iron in vegetables, fruits, products of plant origin when studying the composition, the absorption of iron from them is insignificant, 1-3% of the total volume, especially when compared with products of animal origin. So, when eating beef, the body is able to absorb up to 12% of the necessary element contained in the meat.
When correcting IDA with diet, increase the intake of foods rich in vitamin C and protein (meat) and reduce the intake of eggs, salt, caffeinated drinks and foods rich in calcium due to the effect on the absorption of dietary iron.

Medical therapy

In moderate and severe form, a therapeutic diet is combined with the appointment of drugs that supply iron in an easily digestible form. Medicines differ in the type of compound, dosage, form of release: tablets, dragees, syrups, drops, capsules, injection solutions.
Preparations for oral administration are taken one hour before meals or two hours after due to the peculiarities of iron absorption, while it is not recommended to use caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee) as a liquid that facilitates swallowing, as this impairs the absorption of the element. The interval between doses of drugs should be at least 4 hours. Self-administration of medications can cause side effects from an incorrectly selected form or dosage, as well as iron poisoning.
The dosage of drugs and the form of release is determined by the specialist, focusing on the age, stage of the disease, the causes of the condition, the general clinical picture and the individual characteristics of the patient. Doses may be adjusted during the course of treatment based on the results of intermediate or control blood tests and / or the patient's well-being.
Iron preparations in the course of treatment are taken from 3-4 weeks to several months with periodic monitoring of hemoglobin levels.
Among the preparations-suppliers of iron taken orally, there are medicines with two- and three-valent form of iron. For now, according to research, ferrous iron is considered to be the preferred oral form due to its higher absorption capacity and gentler effect on the stomach.
For children, iron-containing products are produced in the form of drops and syrups, which is caused both by age-related characteristics of taking drugs and a shorter course of therapy than in adults, due to the increased absorption of iron from food. If it is possible to take capsules, dragees and tablets, as well as for long courses, preference should be given to solid forms of medicines containing iron, since liquid ones with prolonged use can have a negative effect on tooth enamel and cause it to darken.
The most popular tablet forms include the following medicines: Ferroplex, Sorbifer, Aktiferrin, Totem (ferrous form of iron) and Maltofer, Ferrostat, Ferrum Lek with ferric iron.
Oral forms are combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) at the dosage prescribed by the doctor for better absorption.
Intramuscular and intravenous injections of iron preparations are prescribed in limited situations, such as:

• severe stage of anemia;
• ineffectiveness of the course of taking oral forms of drugs;
• the presence of specific diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in which oral forms may worsen the patient's condition (with acute gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, etc.);
• with individual intolerance to oral forms of iron-containing drugs;
• in situations where there is a need for urgent saturation of the body with iron, for example, with significant blood loss due to trauma or before surgery.

The introduction of iron preparations intravenously and intramuscularly can lead to an intolerance reaction, which is why such a course of therapy is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a specialist in a hospital or clinical setting. Side negative consequences of intramuscular administration of iron-containing fluids include the deposition of hemosiderin subcutaneously at the injection site. Dark spots on the skin at the injection sites can persist from one and a half to 5 years.
Iron deficiency anemia responds well to drug therapy, provided that the prescribed dose and duration of treatment are observed. However, if primary serious diseases and disorders lie in the etiology of the condition, therapy will be symptomatic and have a short-term effect.
To eliminate causes such as internal bleeding, with a hemorrhagic form, iron deficiency anemia is treated with surgical methods. Surgical intervention allows you to eliminate the main factor of acute or chronic bleeding, stop blood loss. With internal bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, fibrogastroduodenoscopy methods or colonoscopy are used to identify the area of ​​bleeding and measures to stop it, for example, cutting off a polyp, coagulating an ulcer.
With internal bleeding of the peritoneal organs and reproductive organs in women, a laparoscopic method of intervention is used.
The methods of emergency treatment include the transfusion of donor erythrocyte mass to quickly restore the level of concentration of erythrocytes and hemoglobin per unit of blood.
Prevention of the iron deficiency form is considered to be a balanced diet and timely diagnostic and therapeutic measures to maintain health.

Anemia due to deficiency of cobalamin or vitamin B12

Deficiency forms are not limited to iron deficiency anemia. Pernicious anemia is a condition that occurs against the background of malabsorption, its insufficient intake, increased consumption, abnormalities in the synthesis of a protective protein, or liver pathologies that prevent the accumulation and storage of cobalamin. In the ptogenesis of this form, a frequent combination with folic acid deficiency is also noted.
Among the reasons for this deficient form are the following:

The clinical picture of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency includes anemic, gastrointestinal and neuralgic syndromes.
The features of the anemic symptom complex in this type of deficiency include such specific symptoms as icterus of the skin and sclera and increased blood pressure. Other manifestations are typical for IDA: weakness, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat (situational), tachycardia, etc.
The manifestations associated with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract include the following symptoms of atrophy of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity:

• red, "glossy" tongue, often with complaints of a burning sensation on its surface;
• phenomena of aphthous stomatitis, ulceration of the mucous surface of the oral cavity;
• appetite disorders: decrease up to complete absence;
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating;
• weight loss of the patient in the immediate history;
• violations, difficulties in the process of defecation, constipation, pain in the rectum;
• hepatomegaly, enlarged liver.

Neuralgic syndrome with vitamin B12 deficiency consists of the following manifestations:

• feeling of weakness in the lower extremities with severe physical exertion;
• numbness, tingling, "goosebumps" on the surface of the arms and legs;
• decreased peripheral sensitivity;
• atrophy of the muscle tissue of the legs;
• convulsive manifestations, muscle spasms, etc.

Diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency

Diagnostic measures include a general medical examination of the patient, anamnesis, laboratory blood tests and, if necessary, instrumental examination methods.
With a general blood test, the following changes are noted:

• the level of erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels decreased relative to the limits of the age norm;
• hyperchromia, an increase in the color index of the color of erythrocytes;
• macrocytosis of erythrocytes, exceeding their size in diameter of more than 8.0 microns;
• poikilocytosis, the presence of red blood cells of different sizes;
• leukopenia, insufficient concentration of leukocytes;
• lymphocytosis, exceeding the limits of the norms of the level of lymphocytes in the blood;
• thrombocytopenia, insufficient number of platelets per unit of blood.

Biochemical studies of blood samples reveal hyperbilirubinemia and vitamin B12 deficiency.
To diagnose the presence and severity of atrophy of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, as well as to identify possible primary diseases, instrumental methods of examining patients are used:

• fibrogastroduodenoscopy study;
• analysis of biopsy material;
• colonoscopy;
• irrigoscopy;
• Ultrasound of the liver.

Treatment Methods

In most cases, B12-deficiency anemia requires hospitalization or treatment in a hospital setting. For therapy, first of all, a diet with foods saturated with cobalamin and folic acid (liver, beef, mackerel, sardines, cod, cheese, etc.) is prescribed, and secondly, drug support is used.
In the presence of neurological symptoms, injections of Cyancobalamin intramuscularly at an increased dose are prescribed: 1000 mcg daily until the neurological signs of deficiency disappear. In the future, the dosage is reduced, however, with a diagnosis of secondary etiology, the drug is most often prescribed on a lifelong basis.
After discharge from the hospital, the patient is required to undergo regular preventive examinations by a general practitioner, hematologist and gastrologist.

Aplastic anemia: symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment

Aplastic anemia can be both congenital and acquired disease, developing under the influence of internal and external factors. The condition itself occurs due to bone marrow hypoplasia, a decrease in the ability to produce blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, lymphocytes).

Reasons for the development of the aplastic form

In aplastic, hypoplastic forms of anemia, the causes of this condition may be as follows:

• stem cell defect
• suppression of the process of hematopoiesis (hematopoiesis);
• insufficiency of hematopoiesis stimulation factors;
• immune, autoimmune reactions;
• deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 or their exclusion from the process of hematopoiesis due to dysfunctions of hematopoietic tissues and organs.

The development of disorders that provoke an aplastic or hypoplastic form include the following factors:

• hereditary diseases and genetic pathologies;
• taking certain medications from the groups of antibiotics, cytostatics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• chemical poisoning (benzenes, arsenic, etc.);
• infectious diseases of viral etiology (parvovirus, human immunodeficiency virus);
• autoimmune disorders (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis);
• pronounced deficiencies of cobalamin and folic acid in the diet.

Despite the extensive list of causes of the disease, in 50% of cases the pathogenesis of the aplastic form remains unidentified.

Clinical picture

The severity of pancytopenia, a decrease in the number of basic types of blood cells, determines the severity of symptoms. The clinical picture of the aplastic form includes the following signs:

• tachycardia, palpitations;
• pallor of the skin, mucous membranes;
• headache;
• increased fatigue, drowsiness;
• shortness of breath
• swelling of the lower extremities;
• bleeding gums;
• petechial rash in the form of small red spots on the skin, a tendency to easy bruising;
• frequent acute infections, chronic diseases as a result of a decrease in general immunity and leukocyte insufficiency;
• erosion, ulcers on the inner surface of the oral cavity;
• yellowness of the skin, sclera of the eyes as a sign of liver damage that has begun.

Diagnostic procedures

To establish the diagnosis, laboratory methods for studying various biological fluids and tissues and instrumental examination are used.
With a general blood test, a reduced number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, reticulocytes, leukocytes, and platelets is noted, while the color index and hemoglobin content in erythrocytes correspond to the norm. The results of a biochemical study showed an increase in serum iron, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, saturation of transferrin with iron by 100% of the possible.
To clarify the diagnosis, a histological examination of the material removed from the bone marrow during puncture is carried out. As a rule, according to the results of the study, underdevelopment of all sprouts and replacement of the bone marrow with fat are noted.

Treatment of the aplastic form

This type of anemia cannot be treated with dietary modification. First of all, a patient with aplastic anemia is prescribed a selective or combined intake of drugs from the following groups:

• immunosuppressants;
• glucocorticosteroids;
• immunoglobulins of antilymphocytic and antiplatelet action;
• antimetabolic drugs;
• stimulators of production of erythrocytes by stem cells.

With the ineffectiveness of drug therapy, non-drug methods of treatment are prescribed:

• bone marrow transplant;
• transfusion of erythrocyte, platelet mass;
• plasmapheresis.

Aplastic anemia is accompanied by a decrease in general immunity due to a lack of leukocytes, therefore, in addition to general therapy, an aseptic environment, antiseptic surface treatment, and no contact with carriers of infectious diseases are recommended.
If the above methods of treatment are insufficient, the patient is prescribed a splenectomy operation, removal of the spleen. Since it is in this organ that the breakdown of red blood cells occurs, its removal improves the general condition of the patient and slows down the development of the disease.

Anemia: ways to prevent

The most common form of the disease - iron deficiency anemia - is subject to prevention with a balanced diet with an increase in the amount of iron-containing foods in critical periods. An important factor is also the presence in food of vitamin C, cobalamin (vitamin B12), folic acid.
If you are at risk of developing this form of anemia (vegetarianism, age-related periods of growth, pregnancy, lactation, prematurity in infants, heavy menstrual bleeding, chronic and acute diseases), regular medical examinations, a blood test for quantitative and qualitative indicators of hemoglobin, erythrocytes and additional taking drugs in accordance with the appointment of specialists.

Anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood - erythrocytes below 4.0x109 / l, or a decrease in hemoglobin below 130 g / l in men and below 120 g / l in women. Anemia during pregnancy is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin below 110 g / l.

This is not an independent disease, anemia occurs as a syndrome in a number of diseases and leads to a disruption in the supply of oxygen to all organs and tissues of the body, which, in turn, provokes the development of many other diseases and pathological conditions.

Severity

Depending on the concentration of hemoglobin, it is customary to distinguish three degrees of severity of anemia:

• anemia of the 1st degree is recorded when the hemoglobin level decreases by more than 20% of the normal value;
• anemia of the 2nd degree is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin by about 20-40% of the normal level;
• grade 3 anemia is the most severe form of the disease, when hemoglobin is reduced by more than 40% of the normal value.

It is unequivocal to show that the patient has 1 degree or a more severe stage can only be a blood test.

The reasons

What it is: anemia, that is, anemia, is nothing more than. Namely, hemoglobin carries oxygen to all tissues of the body. That is, anemia is caused precisely by a lack of oxygen in the cells of all organs and systems.

1. The nature of nutrition. With insufficient intake of iron-containing foods, it can develop, this is more typical for population groups where there is already a high level of alimentary anemia;
2. Violation of the gastrointestinal tract (with violations of the absorption process). Since iron absorption occurs in the stomach and upper small intestine, if the absorption process is disturbed, the mucous membrane of the digestive tract develops this disease.
3. Chronic blood loss (gastrointestinal bleeding, nosebleeds, hemoptysis, hematuria, uterine bleeding). Belongs to one of the most important causes of iron deficiency.

Iron-deficiency anemia

The most common form of anemia. It is based on a violation of the synthesis of hemoglobin (oxygen carrier) due to iron deficiency. It is manifested by dizziness, flashing flies before the eyes, palpitations. Dry skin, pallor, are noted. Typical manifestations are fragility and layering of nails, their transverse striation.

aplastic anemia

This is more often an acquired acute, subacute or chronic disease of the blood system, which is based on a violation of the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow, namely a sharp decrease in its ability to produce blood cells.

Sometimes aplastic anemia begins acutely and develops rapidly. But more often, the disease occurs gradually and does not manifest itself with bright symptoms for quite a long time. The symptoms of aplastic anemia include all the symptoms characteristic of, and.

B12 deficiency anemia

It occurs when there is a lack of vitamin B12 in the body, which is necessary for the growth and maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow, as well as for the proper functioning of the nervous system. For this reason, one of the hallmark symptoms of B12 deficiency anemia is tingling and numbness in the fingers and a staggering gait.

Hemolysis occurs under the influence of antibodies. These can be maternal antibodies directed against the child's erythrocytes in case of incompatibility between the child and the mother for the Rh antigen and much less often for antigens of the ABO system. Antibodies against one's own erythrocytes may be active at normal temperature or only when cooled.

They can appear for no apparent reason or in connection with the fixation on erythrocytes of incomplete haptens antigens alien to the body.

signs

We list the main signs of anemia that can disturb a person.

• pallor of the skin;
• increased heart rate and respiration;
• fast fatiguability;
• dizziness;
• noise in ears;
• spots in the eyes;
• muscle weakness;
• difficulty concentrating;
• irritability;
• lethargy;
• slight rise in temperature.

Symptoms of anemia

Among the symptoms of anemia, manifestations directly related to hypoxia are considered leading. The degree of clinical manifestations depends on the severity of the decrease in the number of hemoglobin.

1. With a mild degree (hemoglobin level 115-90 g / l), general weakness, increased fatigue, and a decrease in concentration may be observed.
2. With an average (90-70 g / l), patients complain of shortness of breath, palpitations, frequent headaches, sleep disturbance, tinnitus, decreased appetite, lack of sexual desire. Patients are characterized by pallor of the skin.
3. In the case of a severe degree (hemoglobin less than 70 g / l), they develop.

With anemia, symptoms in many cases do not manifest themselves. The disease can only be detected by laboratory blood tests.

Diagnosis of the disease

In order to understand how to treat anemia, it is important to determine its type and cause of development. The main method of diagnosing this disease is the study of the patient's blood.

Are considered:

• for men 130-160 grams per liter of blood.
• for women 120-147 g/l.
• for pregnant women, the lower limit of the norm is 110g / l.

Anemia treatment

Naturally, the methods of treating anemia radically differ depending on the type of anemia that caused its cause and severity. But the basic principle of treating anemia of any kind is the same - it is necessary to deal with the cause that caused the decrease in hemoglobin.

1. With anemia caused by blood loss, it is necessary to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. With a large blood loss that threatens life, a transfusion of donor blood is used.
2. With iron deficiency anemia, you should eat foods rich in iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid (they improve iron absorption and blood formation processes), the doctor may also prescribe medications containing these substances. Often folk remedies are effective.
3. In case of anemia provoked by infectious diseases and intoxication, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease, to carry out urgent measures to detoxify the body.

In the case of anemia, an important condition for treatment is a healthy lifestyle - proper balanced nutrition, alternation of stress and rest. It is also necessary to avoid contact with chemical or poisonous substances and oil products.

Food

An important component of the treatment is a diet with foods rich in substances and trace elements that are necessary for the process of hematopoiesis. What foods should be eaten with anemia in a child and an adult? Here is the list:

• meat, sausages;
• offal - especially the liver;
• fish;
• egg yolks;
• whole grain flour products;
• seeds - pumpkin, sunflower, sesame;
• nuts - especially pistachios;
• spinach, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, fennel, parsley leaves;
• beet;
• black currant;
• sprouts, wheat germ;
• apricots, prunes, figs, dates;

Caffeinated beverages (eg, tea, coffee, cola) should be avoided, especially with meals, as caffeine interferes with iron absorption.

Iron supplements for anemia

Iron preparations for anemia are much more effective. The absorption of this trace element in the digestive tract from iron preparations is 15-20 times higher than from food.

This allows you to effectively use iron supplements for anemia: raise hemoglobin faster, restore iron stores, eliminate general weakness, fatigue and other symptoms.

1. Ferretab composite (0154g ferrous fumarate and 0.0005g folic acid). Additionally, it is desirable to take ascorbic acid in a daily dose of 0.2-0.3 g).
2. (0.32 g of ferrous sulfate and 0.06 g of vitamin C) is produced in a dragee daily dosage depending on the degree of anemia 2-3 times a day.
3. Totem - is available in bottles of 10 milliliters, the content of the elements is the same as in the sorbifer. It is used orally, it can be diluted with water, it is possible to prescribe it for intolerance to tablet forms of iron. Daily dose 1-2 doses.
4. (0.15g, ferrous sulfate, 0.05g vitamin C, vitamins B2, B6, 0.005g calcium pantothenate.
5. Vitamin B12 in 1 ml ampoules 0.02% and 0.05%.
6. Folic acid tablets 1mg.
7. Ampoule iron preparations for intramuscular and intravenous administration are sold only by prescription and require injections only in stationary conditions due to the high frequency of allergic reactions to these drugs.

You can not take iron supplements in conjunction with drugs that reduce their absorption: Levomycetin, Calcium preparations, Tetracyclines, Antacids. As a rule, iron preparations are prescribed before meals, if the drug does not contain vitamin C, then an additional intake of ascorbic acid is required in a daily dose of 0.2-0.3 g.

For each patient, the daily need for iron is specially calculated, as well as the duration of the course of treatment, the absorption of the specific prescribed drug and the iron content in it are taken into account. Usually, long courses of treatment are prescribed, therapeutic doses are taken within 1.5-2 months, and prophylactic doses are taken in the next 2-3 months.

Effects

Iron deficiency anemia, if not treated early, can have serious consequences. A severe degree turns into heart failure, associated with,. Sometimes people end up in the hospital with a sharp loss of consciousness, the cause of which is undertreated or not detected in time anemia.

Therefore, if you suspect that you have this disease or are prone to low hemoglobin, then it is worth taking a control blood test every three months.