Pernicious Anemia
What is Pernicious Anemia
"Pernicious Anemia" or Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a blood problem occurring when our body doesn’t have enough Vitamin B12. This vitamin is very important for life. It is needed to create new cells in the body such as the red blood cells.
Pernicious anemia is a decrease in red blood cells. It happens because the body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the right development of red blood cells. Red blood cells travel throughout the body and carry oxygen to the cells of the body and get rid of waste. Without enough vitamin B12, our bodies will not produce enough red blood cells and other cells in the body will not get the oxygen they need.
Pernicious anemia is one of the many types of megaloblastic anemia. This is caused by the loss of parietal cells (layers) of the stomach, ileum and the inability to absorb vitamin B12. (Edith Lahner and Bruno annibale,2009) Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, and milk-but could not be found in the fruits or vegetables. A deficiency of vitamin B12 causes anemia, and sometimes other problems such as heart attack and stroke.
The Causes of Pernicious Anemia Onset
Usually when we eat foods that contain vitamin B12, we combine them with other vitamins or with a meal that contains protein. This is referred to as intrinsic factor. The combination of vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor is then absorbed into the lower body i.e. the intestines. (Intrinsic Factor can make the cells in the lining of the stomach and is very important in the absorption of vitamin B12). Some causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency anemia or pernicious anemia include:
- Lack of vitamin B12.
- Autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease and vitiligo.
- Lack of consuming foods that are from animal
- Partial or complete Gastrectomy in the case of cancer or in cases of chronic gastritis (inflammation of the walls of the stomach). In this procedure, the mucous cells are no longer available, as well as what intrinsic factors required. This resulted in the B12 absorption becomes inadequate.
- The binding of vitamin B12 by intrinsic factors disrupted by autoimmune gastritis atrophy, in which auto-antibodies are directed against parietal cells.
- Infection of Diphyllobothrium tapeworm. These parasites competed to absorb vitamin B12
The symptoms of Pernicious Anemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is caused by the reduced amount of oxygen in the body. Common symptoms that commonly occur are:
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- A feeling of weakness
- Shortness of breath.
- Headache
- Heart palpitations (fast heart rate) or chest pain
- Lack of appetite with weight loss
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Look pale.
- Red Tongue or bleeding gums.
- Experiencing diarrhea or constipation
- Digestive Disorders and vomiting can occur.
If vitamin B12 deficiency anemia that occurs is still light, then the symptoms still do not appear.
The beginning of pernicious anemia is usually dangerous and vague. The classic triad of weakness, sore tongue, and paresthesia, might probably inflict.
- General Findings: weight loss between 10-15 pounds occurs in about 50% of patients and may be due to anorexia, which is observed in most patients. Low level of fever occurs in one third of patients recently diagnosed and soon disappeared with treatment.
- Gastrointestinal Findings: about 50% of patients have a smooth tongue with loss of papillae. This is usually marked along the edges of the tongue. The tongue can be a painful, red and fleshy. Sometimes, the red spots were observed on the edge of the dorsum of the tongue. The patient may report burning or pain, most especially on one of the anterior on one-third of the tongue. These symptoms may be related to changes in taste and loss of appetite.
- Nervous System: neurological symptoms can be found in most patients with pernicious anemia, and the most common symptom is clumsiness, weakness, paresthesia, and unsteady gait. Neurological symptoms is because myelin degeneration and loss of nerve fibers in the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord and cerebral cortex.
- System Urinal: retention of urine and urinary disturbances may occur because of damage to the spinal cord.
- Musculoskeletal: paresthesia in the extremities, difficulty maintaining balance because of the damage to the bone marrow.
The above symptoms develop slowly over many years. Anemia can be worse when sufferers have other symptoms that are left untreated. Problem that can be caused if the symptoms are not treated is the nervous system cannot be developed or having problems. For example: confusion, tingling hands and feet, loosening (difficulty in maintaining balance), memory loss or a bad memory and experiencing depression.
Treatment of Pernicious Anemia
Vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia can be treated by administering high doses of supplements with vitamin B12. Administering vitamin B 12 can make the sufferer back to normal, the body will produce more red blood cells and the symptoms will disappear. However, there are some people who need to take supplements during their lives to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency returns.
- Initially, the sufferer will get either a high-dose injections of vitamin B12 (100 to 1,000 micrograms [μg]). Injections are usually given out every day or two for 2 weeks or every 1 to 3 months. Or you can take a high doses pill (1,000 to 2,000 mg per day). This is very necessary to restore the body becomes normal. These injections usually have no side effects from treatment because only replace the needed vitamin.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is often not diagnosed until the anemia became increasingly severe. If the anemia is severe, the sufferer may need a blood transfusion.
- Professional health workers will re-examine the vitamin B 12 levels in the blood in a few months to ensure treatment or treatment that is given is working well.
- Another form of anemia treatment is vitamin B 12 nasal sprays (Nascobal). However, the nasal spray is more expensive than pills and is not commonly used.
Prevention of Pernicious Anemia
- Eat verious food that includes meats, milk and dairy products, cheese, chicken, Turkey and egg, which is a good source of vitamin B12
- Eat plenty of foods that contain folic acid (folate), another type of vitamin b. These include green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and cereals.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages while doing treatment for a deficiency of vitamin B 12 for Alcohol disrupts the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12. If the body also has iron deficiency problem, you may need to take iron supplements.
Pernicious Anemia Follow-up
- Symptoms of pernicious anemia is usually getting better quickly after treatment is started and should be advised to do blood test every year or so. This will check that the anemia successfully treated or not.
- Blood tests may also be done to see that the thyroid gland is working properly. (Thyroid problems are more common in people with pernicious anemia.)
- If you have pernicious anemia, then you have a chance at increased risk of developing stomach cancer. The risk of pernicious anemia sufferers to experience gastric cancer is three times higher. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like stomach indigestion or stomach pain.
0 Response to "Pernicious Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention, and Follow Ups"
Post a Comment