Anemia: what is it? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Anemia - clinical and hematological syndrome in which there is a decrease in hemoglobin concentration in the blood and the amount of erythrocytes.

The anemia is often popularly referred to as "anemia", since in the presence of the disease is a violation blood supply to internal organs that do not receive enough oxygen for proper and full functioning.

Form iron-deficiency anemia, which develops against the backdrop of a lack of iron in the body, it should be seen as a symptom of another disease or a temporary phenomenon, not an independent disease.

What it is?

Anemia - a pathological syndrome consisting of clinical and laboratory data. It is based on:

1. Reducing the amount of hemoglobin;
2. Reducing the number of erythrocytes (occurs in most cases);
3. Signs of blood supply to tissues and hypoxia (oxygen starvation).

Thus there is a reduction in the intensity of metabolic processes and operation of all systems, for heavier existing diseases.

Causes of anemia

There are many reasons of anemia, but there are basic:

• Impaired production of red blood cells by the bone marrow;
• hemolysis (destruction) or shortening the duration of life of erythrocytes in the blood, normal component 4 months;
• acute or chronic bleeding.

And now consider in more detail the above items.

The first reason concerns the violation or decreased red blood cell production. This fact is generally underlies anemias that accompany renal disease, endocrine disease, protein depletion, cancer, chronic infections.

The cause of anemia may become insufficient amount in the body of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid, and in rare cases, mostly in children, - deficiency of vitamin C and pyridoxine. These substances are necessary for the formation of red blood cells in the body.

Other pathogens include hemolysis. The main cause of this disease include the operation abnormality of erythrocytes, or simply their defect. In anemia, the red blood cells begin to break down in the blood, it can occur due to violations of hemoglobin, or changes in the internal hormone. It happens that the cause of hemolysis becomes spleen disease.

Bleeding. This fact becomes a cause of anemia only if the bleeding was prolonged.

Restores all the main parts of the red blood cells, in addition to iron. Thus, chronic blood loss due to depletion of iron stores in the body causes anemia, which may occur even when a sufficient amount of iron consumed in foods. Typically, the bleeding occurs in the uterus and the gastrointestinal tract.

Classification

In general, anemia classification is based on three groups:

• Hemorrhagic anemia, ie Anemia caused by severe blood loss.
• Anemia is formed on the background of violations in the process of blood formation, as well as abnormalities in the synthesis of RNA and DNA - megaloblastic, iron, folic acid, B-12 deficiency, aplastic, aplastic, Fanconi anemia and so forth. types of anemia.
• Hemolytic anemia, ie anemia arising due to increased erythrocyte destruction (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, etc.).

In addition, anemia and divided into several degrees of severity, which depend on the hemoglobin. It:

• Severe - when the hemoglobin in the blood less than 70 Sec.
• Medium - 70-90 g / l.
• Light - 90 g / l (1 degree of anemia).

forms of anemia

What forms of anemia are the most common, and what they characterized?

1. B12-deficiency or pernicious anemia. This form of the disease occurs due to a lack of vitamin Group B - B12, which is another name cyanocobalamin. He takes part in the formation of red blood cells. In situations of his lack of diagnosed pathological condition similar form, as well as malignant anemia order can be found affecting the central nervous system and the brain.
2. Iron-deficiency anemia. Pathology refers to the number of options based on the violations production of hemoglobin, erythrocytes. Its foundation - a lack of iron, which is responsible for the presence of hemoglobin in the blood. This form of anemia in the majority of susceptible women. Characteristic of this type of anemia and for children, people whose diet limits intake of iron from food, and serious injuries.
3. Hemorrhagic anemia. It includes two options: acute and chronic. The basis for the formulation of any of the forms of such a diagnosis - blood loss. When significant blood loss, which occurred at a time, to make an assumption about the origin of the acute form of post-hemorrhagic anemia. When bleeding occurs from time to time, and its volume can be quite scarce, can be diagnosed chronic form.
4. Aplastic anemia. This subspecies experts refers to the so-called blood depressive illnesses. Based on the significant shortening of the life of red blood cells, it is also manifested transient destruction of blood cells in the bone marrow. This type of anemia is considered to be sufficiently severe form requires medical intervention.
5. Anemia Diamond Black fan. This subspecies has a specific etiology. Diagnosed in this case anemia in infants; its main manifestation, allowing make such a diagnosis - lack of erythropoiesis.
6. Folic acid deficiency anemia. This is a form of anemia that is among the group of megaloblastic anemia. Develops due to lack of folic acid, which may occur due to incorrectly chosen diet, and because of the impossibility suction substance intestinal walls. The main characteristic of the pathological condition - megaloblasts formation in the bone marrow and destruction of red blood cells.
7. Sickle cell anemia. It is considered pathological condition which is inherited. Normally, red blood cells have a biconcave shape in appearance resembling a disk. However, in the case of this disease blood cells are modified during the transmission of oxygen, become like a sickle, hence the name of anemia. This happens due to the fact that the normal hemoglobin is replaced by abnormal.

Separately allocated and anemias that accompany some diseases, e.g., due to infectious diseases causing chronic inflammatory processes or in connective tissue (connective tissue disorders or rheumatism disease).

symptoms of anemia

This condition of the body may have few symptoms, the main of which are the ones that are directly related to hypoxia.

How much hemoglobin in the blood depends on the severity of anemia:

1. Light: figure hemoglobin - 90-115 g / l. Accompanied by a weakening of the body, rapid fatigue, man is more difficult to focus on anything.
2. Average: figure hemoglobin 70-90 g / l. The main symptoms - shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, a condition may be accompanied by a regular headache, trouble sleeping, noise in the ears should, Reduced appetite, libido disappears, the skin becomes pale.
3. Weight: hemoglobin index does not exceed 70 g / l. Accompanied by symptoms specific to heart failure.

If the anemia symptoms under the influence of a disease, symptoms may complemented by other disorders, they can be used to determine how the disease is necessary to have a business.

Iron-deficiency anemia

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are quite a few and they are often similar to other symptoms of anemia:

• First, the skin. It becomes dull, pale, flaky and dry (usually on the hands and face).
• Secondly, the nails. They become brittle, dull, soft and start to flake.
• Third, the hair. People with iron deficiency anemia, they become brittle, whipped, begin to fall rapidly and slowly growing.
• Fourth, the teeth. One of the characteristics of iron-deficiency anemia is a coloring of teeth and dental caries. The enamel on the teeth becomes rough, and the teeth lose their former glory.
• Often a sign of anemia favor disease, such as atrophic gastritis, functional bowel disorders, urinary sphere, and so on.
• Patients suffer from IDA gustatory and olfactory perversion. This is manifested in the desire to eat clay, chalk, sand. Often such patients suddenly starts to like smell of lacquer, paint, acetone, gasoline, the exhaust gas and so forth.
• Iron deficiency anemia is reflected in the general condition. It is often accompanied by pain in the head, palpitations, weakness, flashing "midges", dizziness, drowsiness.

A blood test at IDA shows serious drop of hemoglobin. The level of red blood cells also decreased but to a lesser degree, as is hypochromic anemia character (color index tends to decrease). The same blood serum iron content drops significantly. From peripheral blood siderotsity completely disappear.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of anemia can be divided into general and single-minded focus, depending on the specific type of anemia.

On the general diagnosis should include:

• medical examination;
• complete blood count, to determine: the level of hematocrit, hemoglobin, reticulocyte, erythrocyte volume, platelet count, leucocytes.

For the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia need to further define the level of iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and the binding ability of unsaturated transferrin. Bone marrow biopsy, as a method of diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia performed in exceptional cases. B12 and folic acid deficiency anemia, respectively diagnosed detection level in blood of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the serum and erythrocytes.

treatment of anemia

The base can be called those preparations which are suitable for any form of anemia, as it will allow the bone marrow quickly compensate for a deficiency of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. These include:

1. Iron supplements: fenyuls, totetema, Sorbifer, Aktiferrin;
2. Vitamin agents: cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), folic acid, vitamins B complex (milgama, neurobeks), ascorbic acid, vitamin E.

Specific tools in the treatment of anemia include:

1. blood products: washed red blood cells, packed red blood cells;
2. Glucocorticoid hormones: dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, Solu-kortef, kortinef;
3. Chemotherapeutic agents: tsitostatitki (azathioprine);
4. Erythropoietin: epoetin, epokomb, Eprex, anabolic steroids (mesterolone, nadrolon).

Any kind of medical correction must be combined with correction of lifestyle and proper nutrition. Diet enriched beef, offal, fish and seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits. Recommended severe rejection of bad habits, physical activities and dosage of gymnastics, preferably outdoors.

Folk remedies

To increase hemoglobin to help folk remedies that are in your arsenal are many recipes to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Consider some recipes:

• To prepare the required 150 ml of fresh aloe juice + 250 g honey and 350 ml of wine "Kagor". Mix well and take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for 1 month.
• A good effect can be obtained from the next infusion. Need: rose hips, strawberries forest fruits in equal parts of 10 g. Fetus need to pour boiling water, put in a water bath for 15 minutes, then cooled, squeeze and take 1/2 cup 2 times a day.
• strawberry sheets (2 tbsp. l.) to pour boiling water, drain the and take 3 times a day for 2 tablespoons.

traditional therapies can only serve as an adjunct therapy.

What need is there for anemia

Of great importance in overcoming the deficiency states, provoking anemia, is given a balanced diet. Lack of iron and other nutrients develops because of the presence in a human malformed gastronomic preferences.

Meals for anemia in adult must necessarily include:

• fatty fish;
• eggs;
• beef;
• liver;
• dried fruits.

It is known that sugar, coffee and tea provoke anemia because of their negative effect on the absorption of many essential human elements.

prevention

To prevent anemia you need to lead an active lifestyle, exercise more walk in the fresh air. Try to make your diet varied and sure to eat foods that are sources necessary for hematopoiesis substances.

1. Contact your doctor at the first signs of anemia for timely diagnosis and proper treatment.
2. Timely treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and to prevent worm infestations. Limit contact with toxic substances or PPE use when working with them.

Psychosomatic diseases asserts that anemia is a deficiency of positive emotions and fear of life. So do not forget to smile and enjoy every new day!