Anemia: symptoms, treatment, prevention

Anemia is a fairly common disease that is diagnosed in people regardless of age and gender. What kind of attack is this, why does it arise and what danger does it pose? Today we will understand these issues, and also find out how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from this disease by the method of prevention.

What is anemia

In simple terms, anemia is a type of clinical condition in which the level of hemoglobin in the blood is at a very low level. In a healthy body, the indicator is 120-130 g per liter, with anemia it is lower. As a rule, the disease is accompanied by a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood. Based on how much the level is lowered from normal, one can judge the severity of the patient's condition.

Statistics show that the diagnosis of anemia occurs in 20% and most often the "victims" are women. About 90% of the total number of cases, the disease is associated with iron deficiency. In more rare cases, anemia occurs in a chronic form and due to a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid. There are also severe types in which the disease proceeds in several variations at once, for example, due to a lack of iron and vitamin B12 at the same time.

Types of anemia

There are several types of anemia, these are:

• Iron deficient.
• Pernicious.
• Aplastic.
• Sickle cell.
• Congenital spherocytic.
• Medicinal.

Let's consider each separately.

Iron-deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by disruptions in the formation of hemoglobin, which contributes to iron deficiency. The underlying reason for the onset of this type of anemia is in blood loss or in an unbalanced diet, in which there is not enough iron.

It is this species that is more often diagnosed at the time of pregnancy or in the post-perinatal period, as well as in children whose growth is accelerated. In adults, the disease often occurs due to blood loss and this does not have to be severe loss. Even microbleeding of an internal, latent nature (about 5-10 ml per day) leads to an imbalance. With a single volumetric loss of blood, anemia may also appear. The situation is especially aggravated if the blood loss is repeated, then the body simply does not have time to restore reserves.

If we prioritize the causes of blood loss in which iron deficiency anemia occurs, then the order will be as follows:

1. Uterine bleeding.
2. Bleeding from the alimentary canal.

Less often, but still there were cases when anemia occurred for a reason (also prioritized):

• numerous nosebleeds;
• pulmonary bleeding;
• renal;
• traumatological;
• bleeding after tooth extraction.

This disease is often observed in avid donors. Some are of the opinion that even menstruation can lead to anemia.

To the above reasons, it is worth adding an unbalanced diet and cases when the process of iron absorption is disrupted in the body. Lack of iron in the diet, constant malnutrition, especially with regard to diets, high levels of sugar and fat are a risk factor. This approach of pregnant women leads to the fact that the disease is transmitted to the baby. In especially critical cases, anemia leads to premature birth and other sad outcomes.

The exact cause of the onset of the disease can only be established by a specialist, after a series of studies.

Pernicious anemia

Translated from Latin, the word "perniciosis" means disastrous, dangerous. This type of anemia is characterized by a lack of vitamin B12 in the body. Such malignant anemia primarily negatively affects the functioning of the bone marrow and tissues of the nervous system. The main cause of pernicious anemia is the high content of immature megaloblasts (precursors of erythrocytes) in the bone marrow. Even if the diet contains enough vitamin B12 and folic acid, the body's absorption function may be impaired.

The causes of occurrence can also be:

• stomach cancer;
• hereditary predisposition;
• toxic factors affecting the walls of the stomach;
• defeat by tapeworms;
• long-term use of medications that reduce the level of acidity in the stomach;
• bowel disorders, etc.

As you can see, one or another cause of the onset of anemia is associated with the intestines. This is due to the fact that the absorption of vitamin B12 occurs just in it. Therefore, any violation in its work may entail similar consequences. This type of anemia is really very dangerous for the patient's life, therefore, in no case can you postpone its treatment.

Aplastic anemia

A disease of the hematopoietic system, which is characterized by a sharp decline in the growth and development of all cell lines located in the bone marrow. The causes of this disease can be:

• some drugs: analgin, cytostatics, chloramphenicol, etc.;
• ionizing radiation;
• some chemicals such as heavy metal salts, arsenic, benzene, etc .;
• various viruses;
• some autoimmune processes in the body.

Taking medications, in the presence of individual intolerance, can result in aplastic anemia. As can be seen from the list, even analgin, which is familiar to many, is characterized by a similar effect. This is another reason to think about it when there is a desire to engage in self-prescribing medications.

Aplastic anemia of a hereditary nature is called Fanconi anemia. Sadly, but in more than half of those suffering from this disease, specialists still fail to identify the causes of the disease, there are only theories and guesses. Most of them are inclined towards congenital internal disorders in the body.

According to statistics, remission can be achieved only in half of the cases, and mostly children are among the happy patients. With adults, everything is more complicated.

Sickle cell anemia

Hereditary type of the disease, which is directly related to problems in the structure of the hemoglobin protein. It has a crystalline form. In a healthy body, red blood cells carry hemoglobin A, while in sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin S is carried. If you look at such red blood cells under a microscope, you can see that their shape resembles a sickle. Actually, hence the name of the disease.

The disease is associated with a mutation in the HBB gene, which synthesizes abnormal hemoglobin. But this anomalous structure has an interesting feature. The fact is that people who have such a "disease" are immune to malaria bites. Probably, this is the reason for the fact that the bulk of the sick are in the habitats of malaria.

Congenital spherocytic anemia

Another name is Spherocytosis. It is characterized by an abnormality of the erythrocyte membranes. In a healthy body, red blood cells are disc-shaped, with thickening at the edges and a flattened center. In spherocytosis, erythrocytes have the shape of a sphere, which leads to their premature destruction. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in persons of northern European descent. It can be very mild and not make itself felt, although in some cases, on the contrary, the disease progresses quickly, with pronounced symptoms. Some peculiarity has been noticed: severe symptoms are typical for children, weak - for older people. However, with treatment, development is controllable.

Sometimes, in order to cure Spherocytosis, doctors decide to remove the diseased spleen. The fact is that mutated erythrocytes are so weak that when they get into this organ, they are simply destroyed. The absence of a spleen will reduce the damage caused. But this is done only in the most severe cases. As a rule, treatment is limited to the usual intake of a folic acid preparation.

Drug anemia

Three main causes have been identified that can lead to the development of the disease, which are associated with the effects of drugs.

The first is when the drug provokes the formation of IgG antibodies, which leads to autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

The second is when the drug binds to the membranes of the erythrocyte bulk. For the most part, this behavior is typical for antibiotics (tetracycline, penicillin, etc.), especially when they are taken in large quantities.

The third - when antibodies from the IgM class come into contact with the drug, the immune complex and for a short period of time attach to the erythrocyte, which activates the development of the disease.

Causes of anemia

Earlier we looked at the types of anemia and briefly touched on the topic of their cause. This is not a complete list, it is provided for informational purposes only. Each type of disease has its own causes, however, you can make a general list of "provocateurs" of the disease:

• disorders in the work of the bone marrow;
• chronic and acute bleeding;
• the process of destruction or significant shortening of the life of erythrocytes (normally, the vital activity of erythrocytes is 4 months).

Now a little more detail.

The first factor includes violations in the function of erythrocytes. Typically, this disease underlies kidney disease, endocrine system, protein depletion, cancer and chronic infections. This also includes a deficiency in the body of vitamin B12, folic acid and, in the rarest cases, found in children, vitamin C. It is these elements that are involved in the creation of erythrocytes.

Incorrect work of erythrocytes, as well as their defect, also leads to the appearance of the disease. Violation of the level of hemoglobin, hormonal changes can lead to the destruction of red blood cells. Speaking of bleeding, it is worth noting that the appearance of anemia is the basis of long-term blood loss. Even with the restoration of normal blood levels, only erythrocytes return to normal, but not iron. Therefore, in order to avoid problems, a special diet is needed, which provides an abundant amount of this element in food.

Symptoms of anemia

Symptoms of anemia directly depend on the type of disease. Let's take a look at the clinic for each variety.

Symptoms of drug-induced anemia (hemolytic)

The symptoms of drug-induced anemia can be expressed in different ways. For example, very young children may not have symptoms at all, and the first echoes will appear only in adolescence. With some frequency, dizziness may occur, weakness in the whole body may be felt. Performance is significantly reduced, unmotivated jumps are observed body temperature... Symptoms can flood suddenly, just as abruptly descend and the patient will feel absolutely healthy. Later manifestations are characterized by yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. On examination, a specialist may notice an increase in the patient's spleen and liver.

In an older age, hemolytic anemia leads to blockage of blood vessels by glued erythrocytes, as well as long-term non-healing trophic ulcers, which, as a rule, occur on the patient's legs.

The acute course of the acquired disease is characterized by a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and frequent fatigue.

Symptoms of spherocytic anemia

The main symptoms of spherocytosis are:

• feeling of constant weakness;
• fatigue;
• if we talk about children, then this is increased irritability and nervousness;
• the appearance of gallstones;
• dyspnea;
• jaundice;
• pallor.

Symptoms of sickle cell disease

• Eye damage;
• bouts of pain;
• fatigue;
• liver and spleen problems;
• the appearance of leg ulcers;
• trauma to the heart and lungs;
• bacterial infection;
• arthritis;
• swelling and inflammation of the fingers and toes.

Symptoms and severity of the disease vary greatly, but there are still some common features. So, for example, during crises, the patient has a high temperature and black urine. Those suffering from this type of anemia are distinguished by painful thinness, long torso, tall stature, problems with the spine and teeth. In babies under five years of age, symptoms are practically not visible, since they look and weigh according to the standard.

Symptoms of aplastic anemia

• Dizziness;
• painful pallor;
• inability to endure prolonged physical activity;
• fast fatiguability;
• hemorrhagic syndrome;
• pallor of the mucous membranes;
• heart palpitations;
• infectious complications.

Pernicious anemia symptoms

• First bright red, and then like a "varnished" tongue;
• anemia;
• problems with the nervous system;
• the formation of abnormalities in the bone marrow;
• gastric achilia;
• dyspnea;
• weakness;
• heart palpitations;
• poor appetite;
• disturbed gait.

Iron deficiency anemia symptoms

The symptoms of IDA are manifested exclusively in the last stages of the disease, at the very beginning a person may not even notice that he is sick. In total, there are three stages of the disease:

• Prelative.
• Latent.
• Iron deficiency.

At the prelate stage, depletion occurs, ferritin is lost in the blood, which is responsible for the iron content in the blood. Symptoms are absent and the stage can be identified by testing.

The latent period is characterized by insufficient iron intake. The activity of important enzymes begins to decline. The patient develops an addiction to spicy and strongly seasoned food, taste preferences are perverted. Muscle weakness, skin dystrophy, etc. However, the symptoms are still not so strong, and more often they are detected only by tests.

At the last stage, as they say, all the symptoms are "on the face". Appear seizures, hair and skin become dry, nails brittle, there is a burning sensation and itching of the vulva, fatigue, dizziness, there may be fainting, the skin becomes pale with a greenish tinge.

As you can see, the symptomatology of all types of anemia is almost identical, therefore, only a specialist can determine the specific type of disease, after conducting blood tests.

Indicators for anemia

The indicators help to identify the severity of the disease. The normal indicator of hemoglobin level in women is 120 g / liter, in men 130 g / liter. Now that the norms are clear, consider the severity when they are lowered.

• Light stage - 90 g / liter.
• Average - 70-90 g / liter.
• Heavy - 70 g / liter and below.

The consequences of anemia

The consequences of anemia occur when it is improperly, untimely provided, or even in the absence of treatment. Therefore, in no case should you start treatment, and also not self-medicate. So, the main consequences of anemia:

• Lowered immunity. With a decrease in the number of red blood cells, there is a significant loss of platelets and leukocytes, which leads to the body's helplessness in resisting the attacks of infections. Therefore man starts to get sick often and the disease is difficult to treat.
• All metabolic processes in the body are disrupted and the general condition worsens: drowsiness occurs, neuralgic disorders appear, fatigue and apathy quickly set in.
• The nervous system is deformed: a person is characterized by tearfulness, increased irritability, coordination is impaired, memory and intellectual development deteriorate.
• Pathological changes in the epithelium: the organs of the cardiovascular and digestive systems are especially affected. Dry skin, dehydration and excessive nail fragility are noted.
• The consequences of anemia include the appearance of puffiness, an increase in the size of the liver.

In case of anemia, the heart works in an enhanced mode, because without its iron assistant, it needs to "feed" the organs with oxygen. This can ultimately be fatal, but only in the most advanced stages.

Anemia during pregnancy

The level of iron in the blood of a pregnant woman is a very important indicator. If it is not enough, then oxygen starvation of the organs of both the mother herself and the baby may occur. As scary as it sounds, 90% of pregnant women have a decrease in hemoglobin levels. As in a normal state, symptoms in a pregnant woman may be mild and even invisible. After all, swelling, for example, and in the normal course of pregnancy, can bother the expectant mother. Therefore, it is extremely important to regularly visit a doctor and take all the necessary tests.

Often, anemia is only diagnosed in the second or third trimester. With a slight decrease in the level of hemoglobin, the doctor will definitely prescribe prophylaxis that will not allow the condition to worsen. The risk group among pregnant women is those who have chronic diseases: gastritis, pyelonephritis, hepatitis, etc. The risk of developing anemia in women who adhere to a vegetarian diet is high. This also includes women who often had abortions who have had miscarriages. A pattern was also noticed that anemia is more often diagnosed in women under 18 and over 32 years old.

In the perinatal period, the doctor can diagnose anemia at 105 g / liter. Treatment, as a rule, is complex, since one diet practically does not give satisfactory results. Treatment with ancillary drugs is prescribed to help increase hemoglobin levels.

Anemia in children

Anemia in children can also be congenital and acquired. In the first case, it is often transmitted from the mother, when she was never able to cure the disease in the perinatal period. Premature birth, multiple pregnancies can also cause the development of the disease. Acquired anemia occurs in most cases due to malnutrition, when the baby's diet is monotonous and there is not enough iron in it. Even babies who do not receive the optimal amount of iron through their mother's breast milk can become victims of the disease.

Children with food allergies and frequent nosebleeds also often have a lack of iron in their blood and, as a result, anemia. Anemia in childhood is diagnosed after passing tests, since the symptoms are mild. The doctor can establish such a diagnosis when the hemoglobin level drops to 110-120 g / liter.

If symptoms do appear, then they are no different from "adults". These are tearfulness, irritability, dry and brittle hair and nails, fatigue, lagging behind peers in development, etc.

Full and high-quality treatment of children for anemia is prescribed only by a doctor!

How to treat anemia

Considering such a variety of types of anemia and the degree of its severity, it is quite natural that the approach to each patient is built on an individual basis. First, the doctor will conduct all the necessary examinations that will help establish the presence of anemia. After that, the optimal solution to the problem will be selected.

As a rule, in the mild and middle stages, a certain diet is prescribed, in the diet of which there will be a lot of iron, as well as vitamin complexes and potent medical drugs are prescribed, which are also aimed at restoring balance. And only in severe cases, when the destruction of red blood cells is noted, an operation can be prescribed to remove the spleen, in which the death of red blood cells occurs.

Treatment of anemia with folk remedies

Before applying traditional medicine recipes, make sure that you are missing allergy into components.

• To compensate for the lack of strength, which is so characteristic of a disease, you can use a spoonful of garlic boiled with honey.
• Place 300 g of peeled garlic in a glass container with a volume of half a liter and cover with alcohol, let it brew for about three weeks. An infusion of twenty drops dissolved in 100 ml of milk is taken. Three times a day.
• Combine 250 g of honey with 150 ml of aloe juice and 350 ml of cahors. Drink the composition three times a day in a large spoon.
• Brew a couple of tablespoons of dry rose hips with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for a while. You need to drink the infusion three times a day like tea, after a meal.
• Pour 6 g of dandelion herb with a glass of water and cook over medium heat for about ten minutes, and then insist for half an hour. Take three times a tablespoon.
• Stir the chicory in a glass of warm milk and drink the composition during the day in three doses.
• Prepare and drink a couple of spoons three times a day the next drink. Combine a glass of pomegranate juice, half a glass of lemon, apple and carrot juice each. Add 70 g of honey to the drink and mix well.

Prevention of anemia

The only way to avoid anemia is to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right, in order to saturate your body with oxygen and a sufficient amount of essential vitamins and minerals. Give up bad habits, replace them with useful ones, for example morning run... Make sure you have enough iron, folate and vitamin B12 in your diet. But you should not be zealous with their reception either. An excess is also fraught with disastrous consequences and, as medical experience shows, it is much easier to treat a lack of vitamins than an excessive amount.