Every person from childhood is well acquainted with such a term as hemoglobin. It is he who is most often mentioned by doctors when making a diagnosis and announcing the results of the examination. And this is not surprising, because this iron-containing protein plays a very large role in the functioning of the immune system. In addition, he is responsible for transporting oxygen through the blood vessels to all internal organs. But what happens if a person has reduced hemoglobin (the causes and consequences in an adult will be discussed in detail below)? How will this affect the work of individual systems and the whole organism as a whole? Let's try to understand this issue in more detail.
Definition
Before we learn about what the consequences of lowered hemoglobin will be, let's look a little in theory. This protein has a very complex structure and is part of red blood cells. Its components, as the name implies, are directly protein and iron compounds, which give the blood a characteristic dark red color. Due to the fact that iron is able to retain oxygen atoms, hemoglobin performs one of the most important functions in our body - respiratory. Therefore, if its level falls, then this entails very serious consequences. About which ones, you will learn further.
The main causes of anemia
Reduced hemoglobin (the causes and consequences in an adult can be very diverse) entails the development in a person of such a dangerous disease as anemia. Modern medicine does not know any way to completely cure the ailment, however, without proper treatment, a fatal outcome occurs much faster.
Among the main reasons why the level of complex iron-containing protein is greatly reduced, the following can be distinguished:
- severe blood loss during surgery or open injuries;
- insufficient content of amino acids and vitamins in the body necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin;
- various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
- severe infectious diseases, such as hepatitis or tuberculosis;
- a sharp and prolonged decrease in hormones secreted by the thyroid gland;
- oncological diseases;
- constant stay in stressful situations;
- poor nutrition;
- bad habits;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- autoimmune diseases.
It is also worth noting that lowered hemoglobin, the consequences of which may not always be serious, is observed in people who donate blood regularly.
Clinical manifestations of anemia
Reduced hemoglobin, the causes and consequences of which can lead to very unexpected complications, can occur both secretly and with pronounced symptoms.
In this case, the most common symptoms of anemia are:
- chronic fatigue;
- lack of physical strength;
- sleep disorders
- it is difficult to get out of bed in the morning;
- noise in ears;
- severe migraines, manifested on a regular basis;
- fatigue;
- frequent dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- loss of appetite, which can develop into an aversion to food;
- failure of the menstrual cycle in women;
- decreased sexual ability in men.
All of the above symptoms indicate a low level of oxygen in the internal organs and soft tissues, as well as violations of the hydrogen balance in the cells, which is a good reason to visit the hospital.
External manifestations of anemia
What is their feature? Reduced hemoglobin, the consequences of which can affect the functioning of all internal organs and systems, is manifested not only on human well-being. It also has a number of external symptoms that are visible to the naked eye.
Among them are the following:
- nails become thinner and brittle;
- hair growth is almost completely stopped, and their loss also increases;
- deterioration in taste and smell;
- the skin loses its normal color;
- tingling sensation in the feet;
- involuntary muscle spasms of the lower extremities;
- a slight increase in low-grade fever;
- rapid pulse;
- hypotension.
It is worth noting that the external manifestations of anemia make themselves felt already in the late stages of the development of pathology, therefore, as a rule, most people do not even suspect its presence, which significantly reduces the chances of recovery. In order to timely detect reduced hemoglobin (in women, the consequences may be more serious especially during pregnancy), it is recommended to donate blood at least once a year for a general analysis.
Classification of Anemia
According to medical statistics, approximately 90% of patients whose hemoglobin levels are significantly lower than normal develop anemia over time. Moreover, this pathology is observed in almost 30% of all inhabitants of the Earth.
Depending on the content of this protein in the blood, three stages of anemia are distinguished:
- Light - the hemoglobin index is in the range from 90 to 120 g / l.
- Medium - drop to 60 g / l.
- Severe - the protein content crosses the mark of 60 g / l and can fall to very low levels.
If hemoglobin drops below 50 g / l, then the person has an alkaline balance and acidity increases significantly, as a result of which the respiratory centers and the cardiovascular system begin to work poorly, and the protective functions of the body also weaken. With a prolonged lack of proper therapy, the patient usually dies quickly.
Why is anemia dangerous?
This issue should be given special importance. So, when undergoing a comprehensive examination, you found reduced hemoglobin. The consequences can be very diverse. It all depends on many factors, including the individual characteristics of the organism, age category, gender and others. Next, we will examine each of the cases in more detail and find out what is fraught with the lack of treatment for anemia.
Features of anemia in women and men
So how do they manifest? Symptoms and consequences of reduced hemoglobin in women are in many ways similar to those in the stronger sex, but, besides this, there are, of course, differences. Men very often complain about a decrease in sexual capabilities, and doctors say that under certain conditions even impotence can manifest itself. As for the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity, their sex life is in order, but the menstrual cycle malfunctions, often mistaken for hormonal imbalances or possible pregnancies. Similarly, it occurs due to the pseudo-Barter syndrome, which is often accompanied by fibromyoma or ovarian cyst. Formations develop extremely slowly and can sometimes be filled with blood.
Anemia in pregnant women
So, we figured out that reduced hemoglobin in men (the causes and consequences were described in detail earlier) is much less common than in women. At an increased risk group are future mothers, for whom this is a fairly common phenomenon, which poses a great threat to the health and life of not only a woman, but also her fetus.
A low level of iron-containing protein can lead to the development of the following ailments:
- uterine atony;
- fetal oxygen starvation;
- placenta previa;
- frozen pregnancy.
As for the fetus, lowered hemoglobin in newborns, the causes and consequences of which differ from anemia, manifested in adults, can lead to the baby being born with chronic dystrophy, deviations in physical, psychological and mental development, as well as various disorders in the functioning of internal organs.
Low iron protein in children
What consequences should be expected? Every year, doctors are increasingly diagnosing reduced hemoglobin in children. Causes and consequences can be very deplorable and adversely affect the future life of the baby. As a rule, the development of anemia is associated with poor nutrition, a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body, as well as various complications.
In most cases, medication is prescribed in the early stages of anemia, however, if the pathology was not diagnosed in time, as a result of which the hemoglobin content dropped to critical levels, then the only way out is blood transfusion.
The main methods of therapy
How to choose the most effective? We examined the effects of reduced hemoglobin in a child. They can appear already in the first months of life, and several years after birth. To reduce the risk of developing serious complications, it is very important to begin treatment of the pathology as soon as possible, and for this it is necessary to determine what factors led to the decrease in the level of iron-containing protein in the blood. If they are not eliminated, then no positive changes in the patient's condition will follow.
Depending on the patient’s clinical picture, doctors select the most effective therapy program aimed at normalizing hemoglobin and restoring iron concentration in internal organs and soft tissues.
If at the same time the patient has revealed internal bleeding, then the following may be required:
- removal of hemorrhoidal nodes ;
- correction of bleeding inside the uterus;
- surgical intervention to eliminate uterine leiomyoma;
- treatment of acute chronic diseases of housing and communal services.
Reduced hemoglobin in women, the causes and consequences of which increase the risk of developing various pathologies in a baby, is more difficult to treat, since doctors have to fight for the life of not only the mother, but also her child. However, many drugs cannot be used, as they may be toxic to the fetus. In most cases, doctors prescribe a long-term administration of complex drugs, which contain iron and B vitamins. The dosage is calculated individually for each patient, depending on several factors, the main ones being the desired effect and stage of the pathology. If a woman or a man is allergic to any of the active ingredients, then injections should be taken instead of tablets, since they practically do not cause side effects.
A few words about the diet
The complex therapy program also involves a special diet, because malnutrition has a very strong effect on the level of iron-containing protein in the blood.
People suffering from anemia should eat as many of the following foods as possible:
- liver;
- Fresh apples
- buckwheat;
- black currant;
- cranberry;
- red meat;
- grenades;
- dried apricots;
- Brewer's yeast;
- nuts.
All these products are rich in iron, to improve the assimilation of which you should also add cottage cheese, green peas, oranges, lemons, bananas and cheese to your daily diet.
Conclusion
Low hemoglobin is a very alarming signal that you should definitely listen to. If no measures are taken in time, then the person develops anemia that is poorly treatable and can lead to death. Therefore, do not neglect your health and do a blood test in a timely manner, so that in case of any abnormalities, treatment can be started on time. And most importantly: try to eat as high quality, nutritious and varied as possible, since a lot depends on this. Protect your health in any situation!