Anemia (anemia) is a non-infectious blood pathology, which is characterized by reduction of erythrocytes and hemoglobin. Erythrocytes perform an important function in the body - carry oxygen to tissues and organs. When oxygen deficiency anemia is observed (tissue hypoxia).
Signs of anemia in women are nonspecific. They are combined with laboratory changes that help clarify the diagnosis. The symptoms and treatment is largely determined by the type of anemia, its causes, the level of iron and other compounds, the degree of hemoglobin deficiency.
The causes of the disease in women
The causes of anemia in women are:
- Acute and chronic blood loss. It is possible for hemorrhoids, gynecological diseases with uterine bleeding and heavy menstrual periods (myoma, cancer, endometriosis, polyps, cervicitis, erosion), hemorrhoids, operations, anal fissures, leukemia, leukemia, traumas, ulcers. Bleeding - cause of hemorrhagic anemia in women.
- Helminth infections.
- The lack of iron in the body. It is seen in vegetarians and vegans on the background of the lack of menu of meat products.
- malabsorption syndrome (malabsorption substances in the gut).
- Increased need for iron and vitamins (B12 and folic acid). Possible during pregnancy and intensive loads.
- Frequent blood donation (donation).
- blood diseases.
- Report process of hematopoiesis (aplasia or hypoplasia of the bone marrow).
- Poor nutrition (lack of vitamins in the menu, macronutrients and micronutrients). Anemia in women often occurs in the absence of a liver diet, eggs, vegetables, fruits and herbs.
- liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis).
- Pathology of the stomach and intestine (enteritis).
- Irradiation (intense ionizing radiation).
- Chemotherapy.
- Exposure to mutagenic chemicals.
- Smoking.
- Inefficient use of drugs.
- Congenital anomalies. Can be the cause of the abnormal hemoglobin synthesis.
- Female alcoholism.
- Tumors.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Hereditary diseases.
- Psoriasis.
- Viral and bacterial infections.
symptoms
Anemia is manifested externally (change color, trophic disorders, lesions of mucous membranes) and internal features (organ dysfunction). In laboratory tests (diagnosis) are determined by the following symptoms of anemia:
- Fall of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood.
- Changes in concentration of serum iron. It decreases with thalassemia, iron deficiency anemia and chronic posthemorrhagic. Increasing the iron indicates B12-deficient and hemolytic forms of this pathology.
- Changing the color index (degree of saturation of hemoglobin in red blood cells). This figure increased in B12 and folic acid anemia. Hypochromia characteristic for thalassemia, iron deficiency and chronic hemorrhagic anemia. Hemolytic and acute forms of anemia posthemorrhagic color index is normal.
- Changing the shape and size of red blood cells.
- Reduction of platelets and leukocytes. Observed in the form of aplastic anemia in women.
- Changing the composition of the bone marrow.
- Low blood levels of cobalamin and folate.
- Increased bilirubin. Characteristic of hemolytic anemia.
Anemia in women is characterized by a wide variability of clinical symptoms.
internal symptoms
To internal (not detectable during the inspection) anemia symptoms in women include:
- Violation of smell and taste sensitivity. Observed with a deficiency of iron in the body.
- Muscle weakness. The reason is lack of oxygen delivery to muscles.
- Fatigue during physical exercise.
- Respiratory disorders such as shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness in the chest.
- Headache and dizziness.
- Signs of dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract (bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite).
- Increased liver and spleen. Detected during palpation and percussion.
- Loss of memory, thinking and memory deterioration.
- Cardiovascular disorders (tachycardia, drop in pressure, chest pain, palpitations and feeling a sinking heart).
- Fainting.
- Weight loss. Characteristic of B12-deficient anemia.
- The presence of flies or mist before his eyes. When anemia among women may decrease vision.
- The sensitive disorders (chills, burning, tingling, sensation of heat or cold). There is a case of anemia on the background of a lack of cobalamin.
- Movement disorders (lack of coordination of movements, clumsiness).
- Violation of urination and defecation.
- worsening of sleep.
- performance decline.
- Migraine. It manifests with prolonged oxygen deprivation of the brain.
external signs
External signs of anemia in adult women are:
- Skin discoloration. The face becomes pale. Chance of light jaundiced (hemolytic anemia). The most constant outward sign of anemia in women.
- Paleness of the mucosa. This feature is detected during the inspection of the oral mucosa.
- Dryness of the skin, reducing the elasticity, flaking and cracks.
- The loss of hair gloss, increased their loss and thinning.
- Cracks on lips and Zayed in the corners of the mouth.
- Apparent eye destruction of tooth enamel.
- Changing the nails on the hands and feet.
- Changing the language (disappearance of papillae, staining in red color, cracks).
- Discoloration of urine. Hemolytic anemia it becomes dark brown or cherry.
- Behavior change.
- The presence of ulcers on the skin of hands and feet. It is characteristic for thalassemia.
- Swelling of the joints and muscles.
- Changing the shape of the bones of various parts of the body. Observed in thalassemia.
Features of treatment
Treatment of anemia in women is conducted after excluding other diseases (leukemia, birth defects, hemophilia). Complex therapy includes:
- Removing the cause of anemia. May need treatment existing inflammatory diseases, smoking cessation and alcohol, avoid contact with chemicals, the treatment of helminth infections.
- Taking medicines. To treat iron deficiency anemia need iron supplementation and complex tools with vitamins and microelements. Used Ferro-Folgamma, Sorbifer Durules, Ferrum Lek, Ferlatum, Aktiferrin and Maltofer. With B12 and folic acid deficiency anemia are assigned folic acid and cyanocobalamin. Frequently used drugs such as Mamifol, Folacin. In aplastic anemia effective Epostim and erythritol. In anemia, autoimmune etiology applied corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.
- A strict diet. Sick women need to give up food, and impede the absorption of iron absorption (black tea, soy, rice, milk). Often need to eat foods rich in folic acid, iron, vitamin C and cobalamins. Useful red meat, liver, vegetables, fruits, yeast, eggs and greens. It is necessary to diversify the diet as much as possible. This will provide relevant intake of substances.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Transfusions of red blood cells. Required when a strong loss of blood and low hemoglobin.
- Introduction infusion means (hypertonic solutions, electrolytes, glucose solution with ascorbic acid). Effective in the acute post-hemorrhagic anemia in women.
- Correction of the heart, kidneys and liver. For this purpose, be appointed symptomatic agents.
- Removal of the spleen (splenectomy). This operation is effective when the maximum hemolytic anemia microspherocytosis.
- Forced diuresis. Required for anemia toxic nature.
The disease is dangerous for women
Any anemia is dangerous for women. In the absence of proper treatment can cause the following:
- jaundice (hemolytic anemia);
- liver enlargement;
- mental disorders;
- decrease in intelligence;
- violation of the fetus (in pregnant women);
- hypotension;
- anorexia;
- stomatitis;
- asthenovegetative syndrome;
- coronary artery disease;
- heart failure.
With adequate and timely treatment, the prognosis is most often favorable.
