Megaloblastic Anemia
Anemia symptoms generally appear due to malfunctions of the red blood cells. However there are many types of anemia diseases, and each of it has its own causes and characters. One of them is megaloblastic anemia. This megaloblastic anemia is marked with the red blood cells which are larger than normal size.
What is megaloblastic anemia?
Megaloblastic anemia is one type of anemia that occurs when red blood cells have a size which is larger than normal size. It happens because they did not undergo fission and not growing perfectly, thus resulting in a decline in the number of red blood cells.
Just like other anemia, large and immature red blood cells cause a decline in hemoglobin and oxygen distribution. The decline in the number of red blood cells occurs when the large red blood cells can't enter blood vessels once produced in the bone marrow.
Deficiency of nutrients due to the unbalanced diet is thought to cause megaloblastic anemia. However, iron deficiency is not the main cause. It is more to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate which causes red blood cells not growing perfectly.
Enlargement of red blood cells is derived from disability in DNA and it inhibits blood cells undergoing perfect maturation. This is a direct impact from a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate on the functions of bone marrow as a manufacturer of the blood. Consequently blood cells are enlarging and shaping an oval shape with imperfect DNA.
What are the causes of megaloblastic anemia?
Deficiency of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and folate is the principal cause of megaloblastic anemia, however this can be triggered by other conditions, such as:
The lack of vitamin B12 intake
B12 intake amount which is less than 5-7 µ g/day can be caused due to not including red meat, fish, eggs and milk in the food menu, as in vegetarian eating patterns.
Less intake of folate
The levels of less than 0.4 mg/day due to excluding red meat, green vegetables, fruits, and various processed animal products in the food menu. The reduction of folate intake can also be caused by the way of cooking green vegetables which uses too much water and too high temperature so that it damages the folate content.
Malabsorption of vitamin B12
Although it is easily absorbed and fulfilled, vitamin B12 deficiency can happen because of the reduction of protein in stomach that helps the absorption of vitamin B12. In addition, the presence of autoimmune conditions, bacterial infections, parasitic worms will lower the levels of absorbed vitamin B12. More specifically, megaloblastic anemia that happens due to vitamin B12 deficiency is known as pernicious anemia.
Folate malabsorption
A few conditions of excessive alcohol consumption and pregnancy make the body absorb less folate than usual.
Other medical conditions
Other causes that trigger megaloblastic anemia, include:
- Leukemia cells
- HIV Infection
- Myelodyspslatic Syndrome
- Myelofibrosis
- The use of epilepsy anti-seizure, dilantin
- The use of chemotherapy drugs
The symptoms and effects of megaloblastic anemia
Like other anemia, megaloblastic anemia sufferers experience a sense of limp or less energetic. Megaloblastic anemia symptoms can also vary for each person, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness at each end of the body
- Tongue feels slick and/or swell
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
- The skin looks pale
- Loss of appetite and weight loss in short period of time
- Heart pounding
- Quivering hands and feet
Some symptoms of megaloblastic anemia are associated with digestive problems. This happens due to a deficiency of vitamin B12. In addition, the lack of vitamin B12 also triggers nerve damage and neurological problems. If it is left for a long time megaloblastic anemia condition will trigger a decline in the strength of the bones and the development of gastric cancer.
How to cope with megaloblastic anemia?
Anemia is a disorder that can lower the quality of health and life of the sufferer from time to time, so it should be handled as soon as possible. Megaloblastic anemia is identified with an examination of the number and shape of red blood cells. In addition, advanced examinations such as medical history and the levels of vitamin B12 and folate checking are also necessary to emphasize the diagnosis.
Megaloblastic anemia which is caused by unbalanced eating pattern can be handled only by the improvement of food dietary and consumption of meat, vegetables and fruits. Folic acid supplements can also be consumed to enhance the levels of folate in the body. However, if megaloblastic anemia is triggered by other medical conditions, it is required to handle the conditions that trigger anemia in advance.
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