Anemia as a disease in our time is less common than in the 19th century, but at the same time, doctors are more likely to encounter more rare forms of it. This name designates a wide range of diseases, the main symptom of which is a decrease in the number of normal red blood cells - red blood cells. With a disease, such cells either become smaller or, due to defects, are not able to perform the function of oxygen transport well. There are at least 9 forms of the disease and they are all caused by various reasons. Iron deficiency anemia, a form associated with chronic diseases, and megaloblastic are most common. Of the rare species, aplastic and hemolytic anemia are most common .
In most cases, the cause of this condition is iron deficiency. The reasons are a lack of trace elements in the diet, blood loss, or poor absorption of iron. What if you have this kind of anemia? Treatment may include oral administration of iron-containing drugs, their intravenous administration, transfusion of red blood cells, or the administration of drugs that stimulate the formation of red blood cells.
What diseases does anemia usually go side by side with? With some types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, a variety of chronic infections, hepatitis C, chronic kidney disease and AIDS. What if the patient has just such anemia? Treatment is, first of all, measures to work with the underlying disease that caused it. In parallel, methods such as stimulating the production of red blood cells are used if the condition of the kidneys allows it. Usually, with progress in the treatment of the underlying disease, anemia disappears.
The megaloblastic variety is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. The reason may be either his lack of nutrition or impaired absorption, sometimes triggered by an autoimmune process. Its nutritional deficiency is a rarity even for vegans, because the liver contains a supply of this vitamin for 3 years, but stubborn vegans need to take it in the form of supplements, because the natural vitamin is found only in animal products. What if a patient has megaloblastic anemia? Treatment is carried out with the help of vitamin in one form or another, in a life-threatening situation, a blood or red blood cell transfusion is done.
Aplastic anemia is manifested not only by a decrease in the number of red blood cells, but also by bleeding of the skin and mucous membranes, inflammation of the gums, a person develops shortness of breath and is more susceptible to infections. It is not possible to establish the reasons in half the cases; this is the most mysterious of anemia. It is only known that the bone marrow does not produce enough cells, which can be a hereditary disease, autoimmune disease, AIDS, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr viruses , side effects of certain drugs, such as valproic acid or the influence of some pesticides. Does the patient have aplastic anemia? Treatment is possible after proper diagnosis, including blood transfusion, taking immunosuppressants, canceling treatment with inappropriate drugs, recommendations for changing professions (to farmers) and antiviral therapy, as well as bone marrow transplantation.
Hemolytic anemia can be congenital or acquired. With a congenital form, more common in men, the reason is that red blood cells are irregular in shape and cannot pass through the spleen. In this case, the spleen is often removed and the red bone marrow is transplanted . As an urgent measure, a blood transfusion is taken.
And what if the patient has acquired hemolytic anemia? Treatment includes eliminating the factors that caused the disease. If the reason is the destruction of red blood cells by immune cells, immunosuppressants are used, if the case is in drugs, then they are canceled. Corticosteroids, spleen removal, or blood transfusion are also used.
Anemia can be caused by many reasons, but if you often have shortness of breath and weakness, and a general blood test shows a decrease in the content of hemoglobin or red blood cells, you need to see a doctor immediately. The sooner you do this, the better the forecast.