Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) - a reduction amount of iron in the body, thus reducing the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. Because of this, tissues and organs receive less oxygen and nutrients are transported by hemoglobin. occurs anoxaemia (Hypoxia).
From which the disease occurs
The iron-based (microcytic, hypochromic) anemia is a shortage of iron, which is required for normal hemoglobin synthesis. This element is essential for normal functioning of all body systems. Iron delivers oxygen to the cells, performs antioxidant protection and participates in oxidation-reduction processes.
The causes of iron deficiency anemia include:
- Chronic bleeding, causing the body loses every day a few milligrams of iron for a long time. This loss of blood does not differ massively. It occurs in endometriosis, hiatal hernia, disintegrating gastrointestinal tumors intestinal polyps, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers and 12 duodenal intestine.
- Insufficient intake of iron from food. This is observed in vegetarianism, prolonged fasting, monotonous diet, containing a small amount of animal products.
- Increased body's need for this element, for example, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Congenital lack of iron. The reasons for this is a premature birth, multiple pregnancy, severe anemia in the mother.
- Impaired iron absorption. This happens due to various gastrointestinal diseases, which damage the mucosa and greatly reduce the rate of arrival of this element in the body. These pathologies include: autoimmune gastritis, Atrophic gastritis, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, cancer of the stomach or duodenum 12.
- on medicines. Some medications disrupt the absorption and utilization of iron in the body. There is a long-term use of drugs at high doses. These include: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antacids, iron-funds.
In addition, the causes of anemia include heavy blood loss, uterine bleeding and during birth.
Stages and symptoms
The following stage of the disease:
- Prelatent.
- Latent.
- With the developed clinical picture.
With the development of iron deficiency anemia causes and symptoms of disease are different. Common signs of the disease include: chronic fatigue, fatigue, flies before the eyes, shortness of breath on slight physical exertion, tearfulness, anger.
The first stage
This stage is called prelatent. It is characterized by a lack of iron accumulation and decrease its amount in the bone marrow. At the initial stage of the disease has no symptoms. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia develop later.
latent stage
If the first stage into the female or male organism not received the required amount of iron, there is a second - latent. Thus due to lack this element decreases the activity of tissue enzymes, which leads to the development of sideropenic syndrome.
The signs of the latent stage include:
- muscle weakness;
- spoon-shaped nails shape;
- hair thinning;
- cracking at the corners of the mouth;
- pale skin with a greenish tinge;
- abdominal pain due to lesions of the mucous membranes of the esophagus organs.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include latent stage of the need for a sharp, sour and salty foods. The patient is often distorted taste. He begins to eat the ice, lime, raw cereals, chalk.
The third stage
This is a stage with a comprehensive clinical picture. Women and men experience the following symptoms:
- disorder of the digestive system;
- dyspnea;
- hypersomnia;
- heart palpitations;
- frequent dizziness;
- brittle nails and hair;
- frequent colds.
In this case, the analysis of the observed decrease in the level of red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit. The patient is admitted to hospital.
Diagnostics
A doctor may suspect anemia during the inspection and survey of the patient. The specialist finds the onset of disease symptoms, especially diet with chronic diseases, taking medications during the past month. If microcytic anemia is suspected in a pregnant woman, the physician specifies the duration of pregnancy. During examination of the patient expert drew attention to the nails, the hair, the color of the skin and tongue and oral mucous membranes, assesses muscle strength, measures the blood pressure.
Then the patient is sent to the change assays. In anemia results in general blood test is determined by:
- an increase of red blood cells;
- microcytosis - abnormally small size of red blood cells;
- pale pink red blood cells, which normally should be bright red;
- reduction in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin;
- increased platelet concentration;
- reduction color indicator;
- raising leukocytes;
- reducing the number of reticulocytes;
- decrease in hematocrit levels;
- increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
The results of blood biochemical analysis set level different chemical elements. This provides information on the state of the kidneys, liver, bone marrow, etc. Anemia is characterized by:
- decrease in serum iron concentration;
- reducing the amount of ferritin in the blood;
- violation of the serum total iron binding capacity;
- increase in EPO concentration.
Diagnosis of the disease provides for a bone marrow puncture. For this purpose, one of the bone puncture body with a special needle and take 2-3 ml of bone marrow material is examined under a microscope. At the beginning of the disease in a punctate no changes are detected. As the disease is observed growth of erythroid hematopoiesis.
Conducting a study of feces to detect occult blood. It appears as a result of many diseases. Ample one-time bleeding rarely lead to anemia. Dangerous blood loss lasting, small volume, which arise as a result of minor damage to the gastrointestinal tract vessels.
To determine tumor or ulcer, which often cause chronic bleeding, is used with x-ray contrast agent.
In addition, to establish causes of anemia apply:
- colposcopy;
- laparoscopy;
- colonoscopy;
- sigmoidoscopy;
- fibroezofagogastroduodenoskopiyu.
How to treat
Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adults should be aimed at, to make up the required amount of iron in the blood and remove the causes that triggered the development of this disease. To do this, use iron supplements. Most often, the physician assigns a tablet form of medicines.
Intramuscular or intravenous administration of a medicament provided in the event that this element can not be fully absorbed into the gut, e.g., by removing a portion 12 of the duodenum, or if required to make up hot iron stores (at plentiful blood loss).
Treatment of iron deficiency anemia is held the following medications:
- Gemofer prolongatum.
- Sorbifer durules.
- Ferro-Folgamma.
- Ferrum Lek.
The following medicines contribute to the efficient absorption of iron:
- nicotinamide (vitamin);
- sorbitol (diuretic);
- cysteine (amino acid);
- fructose (detoxication and nourishing agent);
- succinic acid;
- vitamin C.
To treat iron deficiency anemia should be using a transfusion of red blood cells. It shows such a procedure in the following cases:
- excessive bleeding;
- persistent decrease in systolic blood pressure;
- reduction in hemoglobin level of less than 70 g / l;
- coming generations
- planned surgery.
Red blood cells are transfused up until not pass the threat of life of the patient. This procedure is often complicated by allergic reactions, so before to be treated in this manner, it is necessary to conduct a series of tests to determine blood compatibility of the recipient and the donor.
Diet
Often, the doctor prescribes a diet with iron-deficiency anemia because with the help of proper nutrition can make up for iron deficiency. The diet include foods rich in vitamins, micronutrients and proteins in which the fat content has been reduced slightly. Eat should be fractional, 4-5 times a day in small portions. Due to the frequent food intake increases the appetite, there is a maximum absorption of nutrients, normal work of the digestive tract.
food stewed, boiled foods, steamed, baked, not fried, because during frying fat oxidation products are formed which are contraindicated in anemia. Fluids should drink 2-2.5 liters a day.
The menu should consist of the following products:
- bran bread;
- beef, kidney;
- beef and pork liver;
- veal, beef tongue;
- greenery;
- smoked;
- milk and milk products;
- seafood, black and red caviar;
- oat, barley, buckwheat;
- poultry;
- canned fish;
- fresh vegetables;
- vegetable oil;
- honey, sugar, jam;
- eggs;
- strawberry, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants;
- beans;
- decoction of oat and wheat flakes, weak tea, broth hips, juices with pulp.
Due to diet not only replenished iron stores, but also eliminates the weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, change in taste, dyspepsia.
The more dangerous the disease
Iron deficiency microcytic anemia can cause the development of the following complications:
- The lag in the development and growth. It is typical for children with long flowing disease leads to a delay of physical development and impaired intellectual abilities. Such a state may be irreversible.
- Anemic coma. It develops as a result of an insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain. The patient loses consciousness, he loses response to painful stimuli.
- Development of internal organ failure. When anemia affects almost all organs. Most often, there is the development of hepatic, renal and heart failure.
- Due to the often recurrent infections can affect the internal organs, and sepsis often develops as a result of bacteria entering the bloodstream.
prevention
To prevent anemia, it is recommended every year to carry out general monitoring of parameters and biochemical blood tests. You should also eat foods rich in iron. Microcytic anemia often causes bleeding, so when they appear necessary to stop the bleeding time. Persons at risk, as a preventive measure should take iron supplements.
