Anemia itself, despite being considered a blood pathology, often reflects malfunctioning of other vital organs. It is very important to determine the type of disease and correctly establish the causes of its occurrence in order to choose the right treatment regimen.
Description
Normochromic normocytic anemia, being one of the types of pathology, is a pathological condition of the blood, in which the number of red blood cells is reduced. With this phenomenon, the hemoglobin level may have a normal indicator. In other words, the size of the cells does not change at all, only their number is sharply reduced.
Usually normochromic normocytic anemia is not an independent pathology, but only a consequence of other, no less serious diseases. This pathological condition of the body is often explained by various chronic diseases: for example, problems with the kidneys, liver or bone marrow, and blood loss.
Red cells - red blood cells that carry life-giving oxygen to all organs, should interact to the maximum with the environment in which they are located. Otherwise, the effectiveness of their functioning is significantly reduced. That is why it is very important to take into account not only the number of red blood cells in the blood, but also how effective they are.
Normocytes are the maximum productive red cells in the blood. These include red blood cells with a flattened shape in the middle of the disk with a size of 7.2-7.5 microns. If anemia passes against the background of an unchanged cell shape, it is considered normocytic.
Symptoms of normochromic normocytic anemia
Treatment with such a pathology completely depends on the causes that triggered the mechanism of the disease, and the manifesting signs. True, in most patients, especially at the initial stage, the disease is completely asymptomatic.
If a person feels constant fatigue for no apparent reason, which practically does not recede, it is worth contacting a specialist to confirm or refute the diagnosis of "normochromic normocytic anemia". To do this, the doctor sends the patient for a special blood test, which makes it possible to count red blood cells. If their level is too high, the probability of confirming a suspected diagnosis increases significantly.
In addition to severe fatigue, the patient may experience other signs:
- pale lips;
- rapid pulse;
- the occurrence of ulcers in the oral cavity;
- loss of appetite;
- fragility of nails;
- regular dizziness;
- pallor of the skin;
- bad sleep;
- arrhythmia;
- shortness of breath after exercise;
- chest pain;
- difficulty swallowing;
- cold hands.
Having noticed the symptoms of normochromic normocytic anemia, you should immediately resort to the services of a specialist who will prescribe appropriate diagnostic methods.
Varieties
Specialists distinguish several types of disease, depending on the pathogen. There are such varieties of normochromic normocytic anemia:
- with a hemolytic form, the rate of damage to red blood cells is much higher than their production;
- due to a sharp loss of blood, a posthemorrhagic pathology occurs, which can be acute and chronic;
- aplastic anemia is considered one of the most severe varieties - with it the production of new red blood cells by the bone marrow is completely stopped;
- due to the loss of iron in the body, an iron deficiency occurs;
- due to disruptions in erythropoietin production, a special form of anemia develops.
Prerequisites for the occurrence
There are several reasons for the development of pathology.
- Mature age. The disease is more susceptible to women older than 85 years.
- Chronic inflammations, infections and malignant tumors.
- Iron deficiency due to permanent blood loss due to pathologies such as colon cancer or stomach ulcers.
- Heredity.
- Pathological condition of the kidneys.
Chronic form of normocytic anemia
Then, when the factors provoking the development of pathology affect the body for a long time, while the diagnosis remains unconfirmed and treatment has not been carried out, a chronic course of the disease develops.
Normochromic anemia more often than other varieties of this disease are permanent. And all because this pathology develops over time, against the background of concomitant diseases in the form of bone marrow damage, chronic infections, problems with the functioning of the endocrine system. With systematic violations in the work of such organs, the production of the hormone very important for the production of red blood cells, erythropoietin, is significantly reduced. It is he who controls the functioning and nucleation of blood cells during oxygen starvation of tissues.
If we are talking about a hemorrhagic form of anemia that occurs as a result of blood loss, then such a pathology can be chronic if the bleeding in the body is hidden or invariably recurring.
Treatment of normochromic normocytic anemia
In view of the varying degrees of disease progression, the methods of therapy used also vary. In addition, the signs and treatment of normochromic normocytic anemia are also interrelated. After all, therapy is aimed primarily at suppressing unpleasant symptoms.
There are several basic treatment regimens:
- Therapy using injections of erythropoietin - is usually used for pronounced signs of normocytic normochromic anemia. Such injections activate bone marrow cells to stimulate the production of additional red blood cells. Thanks to this, the body receives a greater amount of oxygen, and as a result, excessive weakness, drowsiness and nausea disappear.
- In the case of posthemorrhagic anemia, a blood transfusion is usually used. After the acute form of the disease is replaced by a sluggish state, vitamin complexes are prescribed.
- Therapy for aplastic anemia involves a bone marrow transplant of a donor.
- For the treatment of hemolytic pathology, glucocorticosteroids and immunosuppressants are used.
- Diet adjustment involves adding iron-containing substances to the menu and is used at the initial stage of normochromic anemia. Such a diet allows you to increase the number of red blood cells. In addition to iron, it is also recommended to use vitamin B 12 and folic acid. However, before use, be sure to consult a specialist.
ethnoscience
Old recipes are also used to combat anemia.
A combination of honey and banana is considered very effective, which must be taken twice during the day. A bee product raises hemoglobin levels. In addition, this mixture contains iron, manganese and copper - all components stimulate the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.
Another effective recipe is a combination of apple juice and tomato pulp.
Prevention
It is very important for children and adolescents to systematically consume fresh cow's milk - it contains a huge amount of iron. In addition, in agreement with the doctor, you can supplement the daily menu of the child with iron supplements and special vitamins.
In addition, adolescents in particular should be tested regularly for normochromic anemia. According to the prescription of the physician, it is advisable for girls to take iron supplements during menstruation, because at this time the body actively loses this valuable element.
Many women face a problem such as normochromic normocytic anemia during pregnancy. But usually this phenomenon disappears almost immediately after childbirth. Future mothers should strictly adhere to the instructions of their attending physician to reduce the risk of the birth of a premature baby or child with too little weight.
Adults and seniors should periodically check their menus for enough foods high in iron. Foods that are rich in this trace element include: mushrooms, meat, offal, strawberries, currants, fish, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, strawberries, apples, buckwheat, legumes, greens, beets.
At the very first signs of fatigue and excessive pallor, you should immediately contact a physician, since very often this pathological condition is associated with more serious problems in the body. Timely and effective therapy, even in the most difficult situations, can save the patient's life.