Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein that is present in blood cells - red blood cells. It binds to oxygen and transfers it from the lungs to tissues and organs, enriching the cells of the whole organism, then the protein transports carbon dioxide back from them. Increased hemoglobin - what does this mean, we will consider in this article.
What levels emit?
The level of protein depends on the age of the person. The hemoglobin of the newborn is 145-225 g / l, in the first months the indicator drops to 95-135 g / l. It changes dramatically in the first year of life. Up to 12 years, the amount of protein is constantly increasing by 5 g / l, regardless of the gender of the child.
During puberty - from 12 to 18 years old, discrepancies begin. The norm of hemoglobin in adolescent girls and boys with entry into adolescence is 120-140 g / l. The indicator changes as you grow older. After reaching adulthood and up to 40 years, the level of protein concentration in the blood in women is 120-150 g / l, in the stronger sex - 130-160 g / l.
If low or high hemoglobin in adolescents should be examined to rule out the development of serious pathologies. A blood protein count is just a symptom, not a disease.
Low hemoglobin
A viral infection can lower hemoglobin levels. Such a condition can lead to anemia. With a disease, a huge number of red blood cells accumulate in the focus of inflammation, and in the remaining parts of the body the blood becomes more liquid, contains a small amount of blood cells, which causes inflammatory anemia. Upon recovery, the blood condition stabilizes, red blood cells begin to move throughout the plasma, and health is normalized.
Low hemoglobin in a teenager can occur in the case of frequent bleeding, especially in girls during the restructuring of the body. They are associated with the menstrual cycle, which is chaotic in the teenage period, constancy comes only in adulthood. In the process of becoming a woman, severe uterine bleeding can be observed.
Hemoglobin is formed from iron. If it is not enough in the body, protein formation becomes difficult, the level of the indicator drops sharply. As a result, anemia is formed. If hemoglobin is lower than normal in adolescents, then the child becomes lethargic, his brain begins to work poorly, drowsiness and fatigue are observed. Most of the students go to schools and colleges. Their general condition can affect grades, acceptance and assimilation of information received in educational institutions.
The formation of hemoglobin contributes to cyanocobalamin - vitamin B12. If a teenager is poorly absorbed this vitamin, the protein level will be low. With such indicators, there are disturbances in the brain, memory impairment, and a decrease in the body's defenses.
Does heredity affect?
Anemia can be inherited. If during pregnancy the mother experienced anemia or there was heavy bleeding during childbirth, then the child may have deviations. When examining a teenager, this indicator is taken into account.
Any cause for lower protein levels can cause dizziness and nausea. The nails will become brittle, the hair will become dull, the skin will dry and begin to peel off, and bruises will appear on the body. For girls and boys in a period of maximalism, when they are fixated on their appearance, these symptoms can cause severe depression and stress. More serious consequences may include: hallucinations and fainting, lack of appetite, brain hypoxia and respiratory paralysis.
Increased hemoglobin - what does it mean?
In lung diseases, respiratory failure often occurs, so the body begins to produce red blood cells in order to stock up on the necessary amount of oxygen.
The level of the indicator may be high due to dehydration. In cases of infectious diseases, accompanied by vomiting and persistent diarrhea, the fluid is excreted in large quantities. Blood becomes thick, its circulation slows down. To prevent dehydration, the patient should drink plenty of water. The same goes for intestinal obstruction and frequent constipation.
Increased hemoglobin can lead to disruption of the cardiovascular system. Especially its indicator should be taken into account in congenital heart defects, respiratory failure and other diseases.
Extensive burns cause a sharp increase in red blood cells. Oncological diseases and pathological blood diseases contribute to an increase in red blood cells in the blood, since their increased formation is observed in the bone marrow. When the body has a damaged area, red blood cells begin to actively transport oxygen to the focus of the disease.
An increase in their number can cause severe disturbances in the circulatory system. This will lead to dysfunction of most organs. Blood will become thick and will poorly supply tissues and cells. Blood circulation will slow down, there will be an increase in the size of various organs, for example, spleen, kidneys, liver. Blood clots will form blood clots that can clog vessels and cause heart attacks.
If at 17 years of age the hemoglobin in a teenager exceeds the norm for a long time, then this can lead to complications and even death.
Recommendations
With changes in the level of hemoglobin, you can not self-medicate so as not to harm the body. When contacting a specialist, a teenager will be prescribed an individual course of therapy and a strict diet. The doctor must conduct a full examination of the body in order to correctly diagnose, take into account the severity of the disease, the age and sex of the adolescent, check allergic reactions and intolerance to medications. It should be remembered that almost any pathology is treated in the early stages.
What foods to eat?
The level of hemoglobin can be increased by eating iron-containing products, therefore, it is necessary to add to the diet:
- some types of cereals - buckwheat and oatmeal;
- egg yolks;
- meat of turkey, pig, beef liver;
- greens in any form;
- walnuts;
- fruits - apples, apricots, peaches, grapes, pomegranates;
- vegetable and fruit juices;
- vegetables - carrots, tomatoes, beets;
- legumes.
But if the rate of hemoglobin in adolescents exceeds the norm, the above products should be excluded from the diet.
Smoking as a cause of the disease
Those who do not know what hemoglobin depends on should also pay attention to bad habits. Smoking can affect hemoglobin levels. A cigarette smoked on an empty stomach can lead to intoxication of an unformed organism in 90% of cases. Poisoning does not pass without a trace, symptoms appear depending on the severity. If diarrhea or vomiting begins, dehydration will occur, accompanied by an increased formation of red bodies.
The smoker will first be agitated, which will lead to rapid breathing and a malfunction in the heart. Then, the phase of the inhibited state may occur with a slowing of the heartbeat and a drop in blood pressure. Without medical attention, a teenager may develop heart or respiratory failure.
Health
With an increase in hemoglobin, body temperature can increase to 37.2 degrees. This must be taken into account when a teenager is actively involved in any sport. In this case, it is worth checking the blood for the presence of steroid anabolics. Substances help in endurance, but worsen the well-being of the body, which will manifest itself after a few years.
Improper or inadequate nutrition causes the indicator to deviate. It is common for a teenager to snack on sandwiches, and not to warm the first and second. He is selective in food and may not eat well. The non-use of meat and red products is fraught with iron deficiency in the body. Products should contain enough folic acid and vitamin B12.
The rate of hemoglobin in adolescents must be monitored all the time, because the indicator can vary depending on the natural conditions in which the child lives.
Hemoglobin is produced in large quantities in people living in mountainous areas. The higher the mountains, the lower the oxygen content in the air and the harder it is to breathe. Because of this, tissues and organs do not receive it in the amount necessary for them, and the body begins to produce an additional iron-containing element. Under such conditions, adolescents have elevated hemoglobin levels.
Conclusion
To adjust the hemoglobin index, a teenager should daily be in the fresh air, play sports, take vitamins and eat properly without a dry bottle and snacks. To control hemoglobin levels, doctors recommend taking a blood test at least once a year.