What diseases cause anemia? Anemia. Symptoms and treatment of mild anemia

Diseases of the blood system occupy one of the first positions in terms of prevalence in the general structure of morbidity. Among them, the undisputed leader is blood anemia. But, despite its frequent occurrence, especially among the female population and children, its outcomes are not as sad as those of other hematological diseases. It all depends on the causes and mechanisms of occurrence, severity, resistance to drug correction and the general condition of the body. This article is devoted to the subtleties of anemia as an independent problem.

What is this condition

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

1. Decrease in the amount of hemoglobin;
2. Decrease in the number of red blood cells (occurs in most cases);
3. Signs of impaired blood supply to tissues and their hypoxia (oxygen starvation).

At the same time, the intensity of metabolic processes and the functioning of all body systems decreases, and the course of existing diseases becomes more severe.

Important to remember! Since blood interacts with every cell, pathological processes of any location can affect its condition and composition. This makes anemia a polyetiological disease that occurs as a result of the pathogenic action of many factors on the red blood sprout!

Clinical manifestations

The symptoms of anemia are so versatile that they affect almost every functional system of the body. Their severity depends on the degree of decrease in hemoglobin levels. Therefore, correct interpretation and comparison of the patient’s data will make it possible to make the correct diagnosis even during the initial examination. The situation is completely different with determining the specific type of anemia and its cause.

For convenience and clarity of diagnostic criteria and signs that may indicate a decrease in hemoglobin, a special table has been created. It will help any average person clearly determine the presence or absence of such pathological signs.

Pale skin is one of the main signs of anemia

Laboratory diagnostics

To confirm the diagnosis of anemia, a set of basic studies can be performed, which is shown in the table. There is no need to carry out all these tests even if there are laboratory signs of anemia. Some of the diagnostic tests are specific and are prescribed in rare cases. Of primary importance is the determination of the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells and other indicators that are associated with them.

Important to remember! Symptoms of anemia can develop either gradually or suddenly. It all depends on the cause of its occurrence. Chronic anemia is characterized by a long course, during which the body adapts so much to the reduced concentration of hemoglobin that, apart from pale skin, no other signs arise. Acute anemia, especially severe, causes a sharp deterioration in the condition of patients with primary damage to vital organs (brain and heart), as they are the most sensitive to hypoxia. In any case, the main criterion for diagnosis is a decrease in hemoglobin levels!

General classification and types

The division of anemia into types is based on etiology and classification by severity. The first heading means grouping different types of diseases depending on the cause of occurrence. Therefore, the classification of anemia looks like this:

Depending on the level of hemoglobin, there are three degrees of severity of anemia:

1. Decrease in hemoglobin level to 90 g/l;
2. Decrease in hemoglobin level from 70 to 90 g/l;
3. Decrease in hemoglobin less than 70 g/l.

This classification category is as important as the etiological one, as it affects the treatment tactics regarding anemia. A decrease in hemoglobin that occurs during acute blood loss is especially dangerous, since the body does not have time to adapt to such conditions.

Pregnancy is one of the risk factors for iron deficiency anemia

Treatment tactics

Like any pathology, anemia requires a comprehensive therapeutic approach. This is the only way to achieve the desired result. First of all, the specific type of anemia, its cause and degree are determined. Only after this can you begin medication correction. In some cases, anemia itself does not require specific treatment and is naturally eliminated after treatment of the underlying disease of which it was a symptom. But most anemias require some form of treatment.

Differentiated treatment tactics for this disease are given in the table.

Important to remember! The choice of drugs for the treatment of anemia depends not only on the cause of its occurrence, but also on the degree of decrease in hemoglobin and the duration of the disease. Blood transfusion may be needed only in acute anemia, when the amount of hemoglobin decreases to 60 g/l. Chronic anemia can be treated with iron supplements, vitamins and diet, even at lower levels!

Drugs for treatment

Basic drugs can be called those that are appropriate for any type of anemia, as they will allow the bone marrow to more quickly replenish the deficiency of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. These include:

1. Iron preparations: fenules, totetema, sorbifer, actiferrin;
2. Vitamin supplements: cyanocobalamin (vitamin B 12), folic acid, B vitamin complexes (milgama, neurobex), ascorbic acid, vitamin E.

Specific drugs for the treatment of anemia include:

1. Glucocorticoid hormones: dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, solu-cortef, cortinef;
2. Blood products: washed red blood cells, red blood cell mass;
3. Erythropoietins: epoetin, epocomb, eprex, anabolic steroids (mesterolone, nadrolone);
4. Chemotherapeutic agents: cytostatics (imuran).

Any type of drug correction must be combined with lifestyle correction and proper nutrition. The diet is enriched with beef, offal, fish and seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits. Strict rejection of bad habits and dosed physical activity in the form of exercise therapy, preferably in the fresh air, are recommended.

Treatment of anemia depends on its degree and type

Is it possible to prevent the disease?

Prevention of some types of anemia is quite possible. These are, first of all, iron-deficient types. Often such anemia occurs due to a poor diet and poor lifestyle. Therefore, it can be prevented by following the principles:

1. Healthy lifestyle;
2. Periodic medical examinations;
3. Early treatment of chronic pathology;
4. Enriching the diet with foods that are rich in iron and vitamins;
5. Inclusion of iron supplementation in people with increased body needs for nutrients (growth period, puberty, pregnancy, long-term illnesses).

Anemia is a multifaceted disease that definitely requires evaluation by a qualified specialist!

Good afternoon friends! Our topic today is anemia, symptoms and treatment. Physician Shabalina Anastasia Valerievna will tell us about this.

Surely many women are familiar with this condition, when gradually, day after day, fatigue increases, habitual stress becomes insurmountable, and shortness of breath appears after any activity.

Some chalk it up to overwork. Others associate it with recent illnesses, while others sigh about “seasonal depression.”

But these symptoms are often caused by anemia. This is a disease that develops as a result of a decrease in the content of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

Oxygen is a chemical element with the help of which all possible reactions take place in the human body, that is, it is absolutely necessary for normal functioning.

It is delivered to tissues and cells using red blood cells - erythrocytes. Red blood cells are synthesized in the bone marrow, live for approximately 120 days, after which they are destroyed in the spleen. They contain hemoglobin, an important structural element of which is the ferrous ion.

Iron in hemoglobin attaches oxygen to itself, carries it to the cell and releases it. It takes up carbon dioxide in the tissues, which it transports to the lungs and there it is again exchanged for oxygen.

You can read about the causes and treatment of stroke.

Reasons for development

For the entire respiratory system to function, it is necessary that the body has a sufficient number of red blood cells and hemoglobin. When the content of any of these elements decreases, anemia develops.

This condition cannot be called a separate disease. Rather, it is a syndrome that accompanies many pathological conditions:

1. Violation of red blood cell synthesis:

• lack of iron, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) or folic acid in food;
• pathology of the bone marrow, due to which it cannot produce normal cells (tumors);
• conditions in which healthy bone marrow cannot produce normal red blood cells, for example, with long-term chronic diseases or a congenital pathology such as thalassemia;

1. Increased destruction of red blood cells in the vascular bed in congenital or acquired hemolytic conditions.
2. Increased blood loss, for example, due to wounds.

The most common condition is when the body does not have enough iron for normal hemoglobin synthesis. Folic acid and vitamin B12 contribute to the normal production of red blood cells. Deficiencies of these substances are also common.

Women experience anemia several times more often than men. Firstly, this is due to monthly losses of blood and iron. Secondly, during pregnancy, the child takes from the mother a large amount of necessary substances to build its own cells.

Anemia often occurs in children, since the period of intensive growth takes up a lot of resources.

• Due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues, weakness, fatigue, decreased performance, shortness of breath, dizziness and palpitations appear.
• Iron takes part in many reactions in the body, so its deficiency is also manifested by muscle weakness.
• The face becomes pale, the skin dries and peels, the nails peel and crack.
• Characteristic is a change in taste preferences. You want to eat, for example, chalk or plaster, soap and other inedible products. The sense of smell also changes: unpleasant odors cause pleasure, for example, the smell of gasoline or paint.
• If anemia lasts for a long time, atrophy of the mucous membranes, including the gastrointestinal tract, occurs. This is manifested by pain when swallowing and in the stomach, belching and other digestive disorders.
• In pregnant women, iron deficiency anemia can cause serious complications that affect both the woman and the baby. The mother is threatened with premature birth, weakness of labor, and severe gestosis.
• In the postpartum period, there is a high probability of developing inflammatory complications: endometritis, mastitis and others. Children born with iron deficiency are characterized by weakness, low weight and body length.
• The diagnosis is made by a general blood test, which shows a decrease in red blood cells and low hemoglobin. Blood cells with iron deficiency are small and pale, and with a lack of vitamins they are large and bright. The diagnosis is confirmed by a decrease in iron in the blood serum.

If it is necessary to clarify the cause of anemia, further examinations are prescribed.

Treatment

It must be comprehensive and include several points. The main thing is to eliminate the cause of anemia. The syndrome itself also needs to be relieved.

Nutrition for anemia

If there is a lack of iron or vitamins, it is important to adjust the diet. The diet should include foods rich in these substances. Products for hemoglobin are meat, liver, legumes, buckwheat, apples, raisins.

The main emphasis should be on food of animal origin, as it contains divalent iron, which is better absorbed. In plants it is trivalent, so it is less easily absorbed.

Diet is especially important during pregnancy, since iron goes not only to the woman herself, but also to the child. It is recommended to increase the content of meat and fish in the menu in advance. Cottage cheese, eggs, prunes, seafood, buckwheat porridge, pomegranate and apple juices must be present.

Treatment drugs for anemia

If you have anemia, it is not enough just to change your diet; you will also have to take drugs for hemoglobin , since from them the body receives 10-20 times more iron than from food.

Medicines containing physiological iron are better absorbed and cure faster, but may be poorly tolerated. Sometimes they cause loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, and stool disorders. Non-physiological iron heals more slowly, but is better tolerated.

One of the best drugs is considered to be the French drug “Totema”. Despite the iron content with a lower valency, it is well tolerated. It also contains copper and manganese, which protect against side effects and increase absorption.

Some medications, for example, Ferrum-Lek, contain not only iron, but also B vitamins. Therefore, they simultaneously act on two causes of anemia.

An old proven classic is sorbifer. It has been used for a long time and is well tolerated due to the ferric iron in the composition.

Treatment of anemia in children

Infants receive iron from milk, so it is recommended to continue breastfeeding for as long as possible, this will prevent the development of anemia. When switching to artificial feeding early, the baby is given iron-enriched formulas.

Low birth weight and premature babies often suffer from congenital anemia, which must be treated with pills. They use Totema, Actiferrin, Hemofer and some other drugs.

To improve tolerability, they try not to give the full dose immediately, but to increase it gradually.

Iron deficiency anemia is a very common disease. 80% of women have experienced its symptoms at least once. Of course, it can be treated at home, but it is better to see a doctor and get all tests done, since anemia can be a manifestation of serious diseases.

Of greater interest to most people are deficiency anemias, which can occur in almost anyone. Therefore, we will dwell in more detail on this type of anemia.

Iron-deficiency anemia- causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Causes of iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia occurs in the following cases:

1. lack of iron in the body (premature babies, children under 1 year of age, pregnant women)
2. increased need for iron (pregnancy, breastfeeding, periods of increased growth)
3. disturbances in the absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract and its subsequent transportation
4. chronic blood loss

Clinically, iron deficiency anemia is manifested by three main syndromes - hypoxic, sideropenic and anemic. What are these syndromes? How is each of them characterized? A syndrome is a stable set of symptoms. So, hypoxic syndrome is characterized by shortness of breath, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, drowsiness and tachycardia; anemic syndrome is expressed in a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Sideropenic syndrome is directly related to a decrease in the amount of iron in the body and manifests itself as follows: impaired nutrition of the skin, nails, and hair - “alabaster” skin, dry and rough skin, brittle hair and nails. Then a perversion of taste and smell is added (the desire to eat chalk, inhale the smell of washed concrete floors, etc.). Complications from the gastrointestinal tract may occur - caries, dysphagia, decreased acidity of gastric juice, involuntary urination (in severe cases), sweating.

Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia

In the blood, there is a decrease in hemoglobin content to 60 - 70 g/l, red blood cells to 1.5 - 2 T/l, and the number of reticulocytes is also reduced or completely absent. Red blood cells of various shapes and sizes appear. Serum iron concentration is below normal.

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia

The treatment of iron deficiency anemia is based on the principles of eliminating the cause of its occurrence - treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the introduction of a balanced diet. The diet should contain foods high in iron (liver, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, etc.). However, the main means of restoring the amount of iron in the body at the initial stage is iron medications. In most cases, such medications are prescribed in tablet form. In severe cases, intramuscular or intravenous injections are used. In the treatment of this anemia, for example, the following drugs are used: sorbifer, ferrum-lek, tardiferon, totema and others. The choice of various medicines, including combination ones, is very wide.

When choosing, you should consult your doctor. Typically, the daily dose for the prevention and treatment of mild anemia is 50-60 mg of iron, for the treatment of moderate anemia - 100-120 mg of iron per day. Treatment of severe anemia is carried out in a hospital and iron supplements are used in the form of injections. Then they switch to tablet forms. Iron supplements cause darkening of the stool, but this is normal in this situation. If the iron supplement causes discomfort in the stomach, it must be replaced.

Iron refractory anemia causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Cause of iron refractory anemia

Iron refractory anemia is also called sideroblastic or sideroachristic. Iron-refractory anemia develops against the background of normal iron content in the blood serum and a lack of enzymes that are involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin. That is, the main cause of iron-refractory anemia is a violation of the processes of “absorption” of iron.

Symptoms of iron-refractory anemia, what is hemosiderosis?

Iron-refractory anemia manifests itself as shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, drowsiness, sleep disturbances and tachycardia. Due to the high iron content in the blood tissues, hemosiderosis Hemosiderosis is the deposition of iron in organs and tissues due to its excess. With hemosiderosis, insufficiency of the cardiovascular system develops due to iron deposition in the heart muscle, diabetes mellitus, lung damage, and the size of the liver and spleen increases. The skin takes on an earthy tint.

Diagnosis of iron-refractory anemia, what are sideroblasts?

The blood color index is reduced to 0.6 - 0.4, red blood cells of various shapes and sizes are present, the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells is below normal. There are changes in the bone marrow - cells appear - sideroblasts. Sideroblasts are cells that have a rim of iron around their nucleus. Normally, such cells in the bone marrow are 2.0–4.6%, and in iron-refractory anemia their number can reach up to 70%.

Treatment of iron-refractory anemia

To date, there is no treatment that could eliminate it completely. It is possible to use replacement therapy - infusion of red blood cells and blood substitutes.

B12 deficiency anemia, causes of the disease, diagnosis and treatment.

What is B12? Where is this vitamin found?

Firstly, what is B12? AT 12 is a vitamin that also has the name cyanocobalamin . Cyanocobalamin is found mainly in products of animal origin - meat, liver, kidneys, milk, eggs, cheese. The level of vitamin B12 must be constantly maintained by consuming appropriate foods, since its natural physiological loss occurs in feces and bile.

Causes of B12 deficiency anemia

So, B12 deficiency anemia is anemia that occurs due to a deficiency of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by insufficient dietary intake or impaired absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Insufficient intake of cyanocobalamin from food is possible in strict vegetarians. Also, a deficiency of B12 can occur when the need for it increases in pregnant women, nursing mothers, and cancer patients. Failure to absorb vitamin B12, supplied with food in sufficient quantities, occurs in diseases of the stomach, small intestine (diverticula, worms) and treatment with anticonvulsants or oral contraceptives.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency anemia

Symptoms of B12 deficiency anemia are characterized by disorders in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. So, let's look at these two large groups of symptoms:

1. from the central nervous system. There is a decrease in reflexes, paresthesia (“goosebumps”), numbness of the limbs, a feeling of wobbly legs, gait disturbance, memory loss
2. from the gastrointestinal tract. There is increased sensitivity to acidic foods, glossitis, difficulty swallowing, atrophy of the gastric mucosa, an increase in the size of the liver and spleen

In the blood system there is a transition to the megaloblastic type of hematopoiesis. This means that giant red blood cells with a shortened life span, brightly colored red blood cells without clearing in the center, pear-shaped and oval red blood cells with Jolly bodies and Cabot rings appear in the blood. Giant neutrophils also appear, the number of eosinophils (to the point of complete absence), basophils and the total number of leukocytes decreases. The concentration of bilirubin in the blood is increased, and therefore, slight yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes may occur.

Treatment of B12 deficiency anemia

First of all, it is necessary to cure diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and establish a balanced diet with sufficient vitamin B12. The use of a course of injections of vitamin B12 quickly normalizes hematopoiesis in the bone marrow, and then a constant, regular intake of sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 with food is necessary.

Folate deficiency anemia, causes, symptoms and treatment

Symptoms of folate deficiency anemia

With folate deficiency anemia, the gastrointestinal tract suffers, and therefore the manifestations of this anemia are associated with disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. There is an increase in sensitivity to acidic foods, glossitis, difficulty swallowing, atrophy of the gastric mucosa, and an increase in the size of the liver and spleen.
The same changes occur in the blood system as with B12 deficiency anemia. This is a transition to the megaloblastic type of hematopoiesis, the appearance of giant neutrophils, a decrease in the number of eosinophils, basophils and the total number of leukocytes.

Treatment of folate deficiency anemia

To treat this type of anemia, folic acid tablets are used and the diet is normalized, which should include foods containing sufficient amounts of folic acid.

Hypoplastic anemia, causes, diagnosis, treatment

Symptoms of hypoplastic anemia

Hypoplastic anemia can be hereditary or acquired, but all subtypes of this type of anemia are characterized by the same manifestations. Consider these symptoms:

1. Bleeding, bleeding gums, fragility of blood vessels, bruises on the skin, etc. These phenomena occur due to low platelet levels in the blood.
2. Ulcerative-necrotic lesions of the mouth, pharynx, nose, skin. Attachment of infections. This occurs due to the low number of white blood cells in the blood.
3. Dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, drowsiness, fatigue, fainting, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, etc.
4. In a general blood test, a decrease in the content of all blood cells - red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets. In the bone marrow there is a picture of desolation, as the foci of hematopoiesis are replaced by adipose tissue.

What reasons can cause such bone marrow damage? Hereditary anemias, accordingly, are inherited, but acquired ones? All factors that can lead to the development of hypoplastic anemia are divided into exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal). The table shows the main exogenous and endogenous causes that can cause the development of hypoplastic anemia.

Treatment of hypoplastic anemia is strictly within the competence of the hematologist. Various methods of stimulating hematopoiesis or bone marrow transplantation can be used.

So, we have looked at all the main types of anemia. Of course, there are many more of them, but we cannot comprehend the immensity. If any signs of anemia appear, you should consult a doctor promptly. And regularly take a blood test for hemoglobin levels.

Blood diseases are not uncommon among the population, but the undisputed leader, of course, is anemia, which can easily be classified as a polyetiological disease that appears as a result of the pathogenic influence of external and internal factors on the composition and condition of the blood. What is anemia and why is it dangerous, what are the symptoms of the disease, types and stages, how to treat anemia and prevent its development? In this article we will try to figure it out!

What is anemia?

Anemia is a clinical and hematological syndrome in which there is a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood and the number of red blood cells. People often call anemia “anemia”, since in the presence of this disease there is a disruption in the blood supply to internal organs, which do not receive enough oxygen for proper and complete functioning. Anemia - symptoms and treatment depend on the stage and qualifications of the disease. Women and children are much more likely to experience this disease than men. In the lungs, hemoglobin and red blood cells are enriched with oxygen, then, together with the blood flow, they are distributed to all organs and tissues of the body.

With the development of anemia, metabolic processes are disrupted, the functioning of internal organs and systems that do not receive sufficient nutrients and oxygen is disrupted.

Causes and types of anemia

There are quite a few reasons that can lead to the development of anemia. As an independent disease, anemia rarely develops. Most often, the trigger for the appearance of this syndrome is various diseases of the internal organs or unfavorable factors that affect the composition of the blood. Anemia - the causes can be acquired or genetic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, renal failure, chronic infections. Iron deficiency in the body can occur due to an unhealthy lifestyle, poor quality nutrition, large blood losses, and excessive physical and psychological stress. Quite often, anemia has a mixed pathogenesis, which greatly complicates differential diagnosis.

In medicine, there are several types of anemia, each of which has its own causes:

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, as it is diagnosed in 90% of patients. This type of anemia can occur under unfavorable living conditions, after surgery or injuries in which there has been a large loss of blood.

Pernicious anemia - develops against the background of vitamin B12 deficiency. The cause is often the congenital inability of the intestines to absorb vit. B12. In adults, the disease develops with gastric atrophy.

Hemolytic anemia - occurs as a result of the inability of the brain to produce cells in sufficient quantities. Among the causes of anemia are: heredity, infectious diseases, constant stress, and depression. This type of disease can be provoked by tumor processes in the body, burns, and high blood pressure.

Sickle cell anemia is characterized by the death of red blood cells. The cause of this condition is genetic defects.

Thalassemia is the most severe form of anemia, which refers to hereditary anemia that occurs against the background of genetic disorders.

Despite the sufficient number of causes of anemia, its types, in any case the disease should not be left without due attention. In addition, each type of anemia leads to oxygen starvation of internal organs, which significantly impairs their functionality and can lead to irreversible consequences.

Why is anemia dangerous?

Anemia, like any other disease, can cause serious harm to our health. With untimely or poor-quality treatment of any type of anemia, there is a risk of developing oxygen starvation of internal organs and systems, which not only do not receive oxygen, but also nutrients. The most dangerous complication of anemia is hypoxic coma, which in 80% of cases leads to death. In addition, people suffering from anemia are at risk for developing cardiovascular pathologies and respiratory failure. In women with anemia, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and children become inattentive, irritable, and often get sick.

Stages of anemia development

Anemia has its own stages of development:

1. Mild or grade 1 anemia is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin to 100-120 g/l. At this stage there are no symptoms. To increase hemoglobin, it is enough to eat right and consume as many iron-containing foods as possible.

2. The middle or 2nd stage of anemia is accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin to 70-80 g/l. During this period, the symptoms of anemia are quite pronounced. The person feels general weakness, frequent headaches, and dizziness. Medicines and proper nutrition will help increase hemoglobin.

3. Severe, or stage 3 – life-threatening. The amount of hemoglobin in the blood is below 70 g/l. At this stage, the patient feels disturbances in the functioning of the heart, and the person’s general condition worsens significantly.

Symptoms of anemia

Clinical signs of anemia are noticeable in the second and third stages of the disease. Common symptoms of anemia include the following:

• increased fatigue;
• chronic fatigue;
• trembling of limbs;
• dizziness;
• fainting conditions;
• dryness and pallor of the skin;
• constant shortness of breath, even in the absence of physical activity;
• heartbeat;
• absent-minded attention;
• memory loss;
• noise in ears;
• poor appetite;
• circles under the eyes;
• "floaters" before the eyes.

The symptoms of anemia are quite severe, but they can also be present with other diseases or disorders. Therefore, if you have signs of anemia, you do not need to diagnose yourself. The only correct decision will be to visit a doctor, who, after laboratory results, will be able to confirm or refute your assumptions.

How to determine anemia?

A general blood test will help identify anemia, which will show the number of red blood cells, their size and shape, and the presence or absence of immature blood cells. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional tests: biochemical blood test, sternum puncture and other studies.

Treatment of anemia

Anemia must be treated comprehensively; only then can the desired result be achieved. Mild anemia often does not require drug treatment. The doctor recommends consuming more foods that contain iron, proteins and other vitamins and minerals. Drug therapy is prescribed by a doctor only when the type of anemia, cause and severity are clear. It is not uncommon for anemia to not require drug correction, especially when the cause that caused the anemia has been eliminated.

If, however, the disease requires drug treatment, then the doctor prescribes drugs that will allow the bone marrow to more quickly replenish the deficiency of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. These medications include:

• Iron preparations: Fenyuls, Totetema, Sorbifer, Aktiferrin;
• Vitamin products: vit. B12, folic acid, vitamin B complexes.

In more severe cases, when iron supplements do not give a positive result, the doctor may prescribe glucocorticoid hormones, erythropoietins, anabolic steroids, chemotherapy drugs and other drugs that are treated in a hospital. Any type of drug therapy must be combined with proper nutrition and lifestyle. The patient needs to stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Folk remedies, which have many recipes in their arsenal for increasing the level of hemoglobin in the blood, will help increase hemoglobin. Let's look at a few recipes:

Recipe 1. To prepare you will need 150 ml of fresh aloe juice + 250 g of honey and 350 ml of Cahors wine. Mix everything well and take 1 spoon 3 times a day for 1 month.

Recipe 2. A good effect can be obtained from the following infusion. You will need: rose hips, wild strawberries in equal parts, 10 grams each. The fruit should be poured with boiling water, placed in a water bath for 15 minutes, then cooled, squeezed and taken 1/2 cup 2 times a day.

Recipe 3. Strawberry leaves (2 tablespoons) should be poured with boiling water, strained and taken 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons.

Treatment of anemia with folk remedies can only serve as an auxiliary therapy to the main treatment.

Food is important in treating anemia and increasing hemoglobin. People diagnosed with anemia need to consume high-calorie foods in sufficient quantities: meat, liver, fish, butter, milk. The diet should include cereals: wheat, rice, buckwheat. Vegetables and fruits must be present in the diet. All food must be fresh, steamed, boiled or baked in the oven. If you have anemia, it is strictly forbidden to go hungry or not eat in the morning. A balanced diet, healthy food, will help provide the body with all the necessary substances to increase hemoglobin in the blood.

Prevention of anemia

Prevention of anemia consists of proper and healthy nutrition. To prevent the development of this disease, you need to pay attention to your health in a timely manner, treat internal diseases, and lead a healthy lifestyle.

When the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the blood decreases, a person develops anemia. This condition accompanies many chronic diseases, and the symptoms of the disease appear 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 older people. It is accompanied by weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and disruption of the functioning of internal organs. Treatment for 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 a description of this disease were given in ancient times. 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);
• heavy (69 – 40 g/l);
• very heavy (less than 40 g/l).

Pathology in children occurs with late introduction of complementary foods or insufficient nutrition, as well as due to many other possible reasons. If an infant is diagnosed with this disease, this condition must be corrected, because the lack of oxygen has a bad effect on the baby’s development.

Classification of the disease

The pathogenetic classification of anemia is based on the mechanism of their development. Thus, posthemorrhagic forms (acute and chronic) caused by blood loss are distinguished. There are pathologies caused by impaired formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells (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, with chronic diseases, etc.;
• hyperchromic: B12- and folate-deficient.

The degree of severity is divided into mild (hemoglobin more than 90 g/l), moderate (70 - 90 g/l) and severe (less than 70 g/l).

Blood pathology in newborns is more often physiological or occurs due to Rh conflict.

Iron-deficiency anemia

The most common form of hemoglobin deficiency is iron deficiency anemia. Its occurrence is associated with iron deficiency in the body. 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 your diet and start taking iron supplements. The diet for iron deficiency includes red meat, nuts, dried fruits, leafy greens, and vitamin C, which is found, for example, in citrus fruits.

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" translated means "lack 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 engulfs 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 as a result of infections, tumors, or side effects of medications.

In sickle cell form, the bone marrow produces initially defective red blood cells, which are quickly 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 occurs - contact between 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. Descriptions of signs of the disease include darkening of the urine, yellowing of the skin and sclera, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and 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. It is often severe and can lead to poor outcomes if left untreated.

Characteristic signs accompanying the development of the aplastic form of the disease are pallor, weakness, bleeding and hemorrhages, and frequent infectious diseases. One of the causes of the disease is panmyelophthisis, that is, the replacement of bone marrow with fatty 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 hemoglobin content 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 caused by thalassemia. However, its causes may also include:

• vitamin B6 deficiency;
• infections;
• lead or drug poisoning;
• bleeding from a stomach ulcer 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.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of blood tests, which reveal a decrease in CP of less than 0.8. What is CPU (color index)? This is the average hemoglobin content in a red blood cell. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease.

Sickle cell anemia

What is sickle cell disease, or sickle form of the disease: it is an inherited hematological disease. Its pathogenesis is associated with a violation of the shape of red blood cells: they take on a crescent shape, lose elasticity and stick together. Getting into 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 the pathological gene. The etiology (cause) of genetic changes is unknown. Prevention – genetic consultation, fetal and newborn screening. Treatment is a bone marrow transplant, most effective in adolescents.

Pernicious anemia

B12 deficiency 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 vitamin in food or an increased need for it, for example, during pregnancy. A typical sign of the disease, determined by a blood test, is very large red blood cells (macrocytosis).

Causes

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

• blood loss;
• decreased red blood cell production;
• 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;
• for hemophilia;
• for chronic bleeding (stomach ulcer, intestinal cancer, hemorrhoids, uterine fibroids and others).

A lack of red blood cell synthesis appears in the following conditions:

• aplastic form of the disease;
• effects of 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, and, if necessary, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants. It is important to choose the right diet for anemia, which should provide the necessary nutrients.

Signs

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

Mild degrees 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;
• rapid heartbeat;
• pallor of the skin and mucous membranes.

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

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

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

Diagnostics

Doctors can easily detect signs of pathology by performing simple blood tests. They determine a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin and/or red blood cells. The 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, in the chronic form, dystrophy of internal organs develops.

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

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

Basic laboratory tests:

• blood test to determine the level of red blood cells, hemoglobin, CP, platelets, leukocytes, hematocrit and reticulocytes;
• stool blood test;
• peripheral blood smear to evaluate the appearance of red blood cells;
• level of serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B12;
• bilirubin level to assess the intensity of hemolysis;
• liver and kidney function indicators;
• bone marrow biopsy to assess the effectiveness of hematopoiesis.

Symptoms

The main signs of anemia develop with severe 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 the following manifestations:

• changes in stool color, including black or tarry stools, which indicates gastrointestinal bleeding;
• rapid pulse;
• low blood pressure;
• shortness of breath associated with a lack of oxygen in the blood;
• pale, cold, or jaundiced skin;
• heart murmurs;
• enlarged 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 shine, brittle and dry hair, brittle nails, and perversion of taste.

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

Treatment

Anemia is treated differently depending on the cause and severity. If the disease is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms, the doctor first determines the factors that caused its development. Most often, the disease is associated with iron deficiency. After the cause of the “iron” form is found, it is eliminated. Iron supplements for the disease are effective only for this form of pathology. It is better to take them in tablet form.

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

The main drugs in the treatment of the disease:

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

How to treat anemia if it is caused by a genetic disorder, 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.

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

A common and effective treatment for the aplastic form of the disease is bone marrow transplantation.

Symptoms and treatment of the 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 effects of alcohol and occupational toxic factors. If necessary, surgical treatment of stomach ulcers, uterine fibroids and other diseases that cause this disease is carried out.

Treatment at home includes nutritional features:

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

Meals should be nutritious and regular. It corresponds to dietary table No. 11.

Some folk methods for treating anemia: taking natural honey with radish juice, aloe juice, rosehip decoction 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 formula contains enough iron. Prevention of anemia in children consists of a nutritious diet rich in animal proteins and vitamins.

All girls and women before menopause are advised to undergo regular medical examinations and blood tests, especially if there is heavy menstrual bleeding. Iron and folic acid deficiency 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 degenerative changes in the internal organs. Alcohol abuse should be avoided. If necessary, diet and medications are prescribed. If you follow your doctor's recommendations, the prognosis for most types of anemia is favorable.

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