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Showing posts with label iron-deficiency anemia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iron-deficiency anemia. Show all posts

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Prevention of iron-deficiency anemia unless there is chronic loss of blood

Prevention of iron-deficiency anemia unless there is chronic loss of blood

 There is no need to take advertised remedies to provide extra iron for "tired blood." If there is blood loss which is producing anemia, it's important not only that the anemia be corrected but that the underlying cause be found and corrected. Pernicious Anemia For red blood cell manufacture in the bone marrow, vitamin B12 is needed. 

The vitamin is present in adequate amounts in any balanced diet. But for absorption by the body, B12 requires the presence in the stomach of a substance called "intrinsic factor." In pernicious anemia, intrinsic factor is lacking or operates inadequately. Vitamin B12 absorption is then inadequate, and in such patients the vitamin must be administered by injection. In addition to the common signs for all anemias, pernicious anemia manifests itself in a ted and sore tongue, difficulty in swallowing, a pale lemon skincolor.

In about 10 percent of patients, there are symptoms from spinal cord changes such as numbness and tingling in the lower extremities ("pins and needles" sensations) and unsteady gait. Sometimes the fingers are affected by numbness and tingling. Memory may be affected, and sometimes even psychotic states may be induced. The nervous system changes are referred to as "combined system disease" or "posterolateral sclerosis." It is important that they be recognized for what they are, especially when they occur before anemia becomes manifest.


If treated early, by vitamin B12 injections, the changes may be reversed completely; if neglected and treated too late, complete reversal may not be possible. The diagnosis of pernicious anemia is made through the characteristic appearance of the blood cells, examination of a bone marrow sample obtained by simple needle puncture, a finding of acid deficiency in stomach juice, and by other laboratory tests. It is important that the diagnosis of pernicious anemia be unequivocal because this condition requires lifelong care. If correctly diagnosed and treated, the outlook for pernicious anemia today is excellent. Blood returns to normal.