What are the main causes of aplastic anemia. How does aplastic anemia affect the body. What are the most common symptoms of aplastic anemia. Can aplastic anemia lead to other health complications.

Understanding Aplastic Anemia: A Rare Blood Disorder

Aplastic anemia is a serious and uncommon blood disorder characterized by the bone marrow’s inability to produce sufficient new blood cells. This condition occurs when stem cells within the bone marrow are damaged, leading to a decrease in the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Aplastic anemia can manifest in various forms, including Fanconi anemia, a specific inherited type of the disorder.

The severity of aplastic anemia can range from mild to severe, and its onset can be either sudden or gradual. Due to its rarity and potential complications, understanding the causes, symptoms, and associated risks of aplastic anemia is crucial for early detection and proper management.

The Root Causes of Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia can arise from various factors, some of which are well-understood while others remain elusive. The most common causes include:

• Autoimmune disorders: These are the most frequent culprits behind aplastic anemia
• Genetic mutations: Certain inherited gene changes, such as those responsible for Fanconi anemia
• Exposure to toxic substances: Pesticides, arsenic, and benzene are known to trigger the condition
• Cancer treatments: Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can damage bone marrow stem cells
• Certain medications: Some drugs can interfere with bone marrow function
• Viral infections: Hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV have been linked to aplastic anemia
• Pregnancy: In rare cases, pregnancy can trigger the development of aplastic anemia

It’s important to note that in many cases, the exact cause remains unknown, leading to a diagnosis of idiopathic aplastic anemia. This uncertainty underscores the complexity of the disorder and the need for ongoing research to better understand its origins.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia

Identifying aplastic anemia early can be challenging, as its symptoms often develop gradually and may resemble those of other conditions. The most common symptoms include:

• Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest
• Weakness: Difficulty performing everyday tasks due to lack of energy
• Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or unsteady, especially when standing up quickly
• Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, particularly during physical activities
• Easy bruising or bleeding: Unexplained bruises or prolonged bleeding from minor cuts

These symptoms arise due to the decreased production of blood cells. For instance, the lack of red blood cells leads to fatigue and shortness of breath, while a low platelet count results in easy bruising and bleeding.

How do the symptoms of aplastic anemia differ from other types of anemia?

Unlike iron-deficiency anemia or other common forms, aplastic anemia affects all blood cell lines. This means that in addition to symptoms related to low red blood cell count (like fatigue and shortness of breath), patients may also experience frequent infections due to low white blood cell count and bleeding problems from low platelet levels.

Complications Associated with Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia can lead to several serious complications if left untreated or poorly managed. These include:

1. Frequent infections: Due to the low white blood cell count, the body’s immune system is compromised
2. Bleeding problems: The decreased platelet count can lead to excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries
3. Heart complications: Severe anemia can strain the heart, potentially leading to heart failure
4. Pregnancy complications: Aplastic anemia can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy
5. Myelodysplastic syndrome: In some cases, aplastic anemia can progress to this pre-leukemic condition

Understanding these potential complications emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent or minimize their occurrence.

Diagnostic Approaches for Aplastic Anemia

Diagnosing aplastic anemia involves a combination of physical examinations, blood tests, and bone marrow evaluations. The diagnostic process typically includes:

• Complete blood count (CBC): To assess the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
• Peripheral blood smear: To examine the appearance and condition of blood cells
• Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration: To evaluate the bone marrow’s cellularity and rule out other conditions
• Genetic testing: To identify any inherited forms of aplastic anemia, such as Fanconi anemia
• Imaging studies: To rule out other potential causes of bone marrow failure

What is the significance of a bone marrow biopsy in diagnosing aplastic anemia?

A bone marrow biopsy is crucial in confirming the diagnosis of aplastic anemia. It allows doctors to assess the cellularity of the bone marrow, which is typically decreased in aplastic anemia. Additionally, it helps rule out other conditions that may present with similar symptoms, such as certain types of leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes.

Treatment Options for Aplastic Anemia

The treatment of aplastic anemia depends on the severity of the condition, the patient’s age, and overall health status. Treatment options include:

1. Blood transfusions: To temporarily increase blood cell counts and alleviate symptoms
2. Immunosuppressive therapy: To suppress the immune system and allow the bone marrow to recover
3. Bone marrow transplantation: The only potential cure for aplastic anemia, especially effective in younger patients
4. Growth factors: Medications that stimulate the bone marrow to produce more blood cells
5. Antibiotics and antifungal medications: To prevent and treat infections

The choice of treatment is individualized and often involves a combination of these approaches. In some cases, particularly for mild forms of aplastic anemia, careful monitoring may be sufficient without immediate intervention.

How effective is bone marrow transplantation in treating aplastic anemia?

Bone marrow transplantation can be highly effective in treating aplastic anemia, with success rates of up to 80-90% in younger patients with matched sibling donors. However, the procedure carries risks, including graft-versus-host disease and infections. The success rate decreases with age and when using unrelated donors, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection and donor matching.

Living with Aplastic Anemia: Management and Lifestyle Considerations

Managing aplastic anemia involves more than just medical treatment. Patients need to adopt certain lifestyle changes and precautions to minimize risks and maintain their quality of life. These include:

• Regular medical check-ups and blood tests to monitor blood cell counts
• Avoiding activities with a high risk of injury or bleeding
• Maintaining good hygiene to prevent infections
• Following a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support blood cell production
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling
• Joining support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges

Patients with aplastic anemia often need to make significant adjustments to their daily lives, but with proper management and support, many can lead fulfilling lives despite the condition.

What dietary considerations are important for patients with aplastic anemia?

While diet alone cannot cure aplastic anemia, certain nutritional strategies can support overall health and potentially aid in blood cell production. A diet rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate is often recommended. Foods such as lean meats, leafy green vegetables, and fortified grains can be beneficial. However, it’s crucial for patients to consult with their healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, as some foods may interact with medications or affect blood cell counts.

Research and Future Prospects in Aplastic Anemia Treatment

Ongoing research in the field of aplastic anemia aims to improve understanding of the condition and develop more effective treatments. Some areas of current research include:

1. Gene therapy: Exploring ways to correct genetic mutations associated with inherited forms of aplastic anemia
2. Novel immunosuppressive agents: Developing more targeted therapies with fewer side effects
3. Stem cell research: Investigating the potential of stem cell therapies to regenerate bone marrow function
4. Biomarkers: Identifying biological markers that can predict disease progression or treatment response
5. Improved bone marrow transplant techniques: Enhancing the safety and efficacy of transplantation procedures

These research efforts offer hope for improved outcomes and potentially new curative treatments for aplastic anemia in the future.

How might gene therapy revolutionize the treatment of inherited forms of aplastic anemia?

Gene therapy holds significant promise for treating inherited forms of aplastic anemia, such as Fanconi anemia. By correcting the underlying genetic mutation, it may be possible to restore normal bone marrow function without the need for transplantation. Early clinical trials have shown encouraging results, with some patients achieving long-term improvements in blood cell counts after gene therapy. However, more research is needed to refine these techniques and ensure their safety and efficacy before they can become widely available treatment options.

The Impact of Aplastic Anemia on Different Demographics

Aplastic anemia can affect individuals of all ages, but its impact and management can vary significantly across different demographic groups. Understanding these differences is crucial for tailoring treatment approaches and support systems.

How does aplastic anemia affect children differently from adults?

Children with aplastic anemia face unique challenges compared to adult patients. The condition can significantly impact their growth and development, educational progress, and social interactions. However, children often respond better to treatments, particularly bone marrow transplantation, due to their younger age and typically better overall health. Long-term follow-up is crucial for pediatric patients to monitor for potential late effects of treatment and ensure normal development.

What special considerations are there for pregnant women with aplastic anemia?

Pregnancy can be particularly challenging for women with aplastic anemia. The condition increases the risk of complications such as preterm labor, growth restriction, and severe maternal anemia. Close monitoring and specialized care are essential throughout pregnancy and delivery. Treatment options may be limited due to potential risks to the fetus, making management more complex. Despite these challenges, with proper medical care, many women with aplastic anemia can have successful pregnancies.

The impact of aplastic anemia extends beyond the individual patient, affecting families and caregivers as well. Support systems, including psychological counseling and social services, play a crucial role in helping patients and their loved ones cope with the challenges of living with this chronic condition.

Global Perspectives on Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia is a global health concern, but its prevalence, management, and outcomes can vary significantly across different regions of the world. Factors such as access to healthcare, availability of advanced treatments, and genetic predispositions contribute to these variations.

• Prevalence: While aplastic anemia is rare overall, some regions, particularly in Asia, have reported higher incidence rates
• Treatment access: Advanced treatments like bone marrow transplantation may be limited in resource-constrained settings
• Research initiatives: International collaborations are crucial for advancing understanding and treatment of the condition
• Cultural factors: Beliefs and practices in different cultures can influence treatment acceptance and compliance

How do treatment approaches for aplastic anemia differ in developing countries compared to developed nations?

In developing countries, the management of aplastic anemia often faces significant challenges due to limited resources and healthcare infrastructure. While bone marrow transplantation is the gold standard treatment in developed nations, it may not be readily available or affordable in many developing countries. As a result, these regions often rely more heavily on immunosuppressive therapy and supportive care. Additionally, the lack of advanced diagnostic tools can lead to delayed or missed diagnoses. International organizations and collaborations play a crucial role in bridging these gaps, providing training, resources, and sometimes direct aid to improve outcomes for patients with aplastic anemia in resource-limited settings.

Understanding these global perspectives is essential for developing comprehensive strategies to address aplastic anemia on a worldwide scale. It highlights the need for continued international cooperation in research, resource sharing, and capacity building to ensure that all patients, regardless of their geographical location, have access to optimal care and treatment options.

Aplastic Anemia | MedlinePlus

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What is aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder. If you have it, your bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. It happens when there is damage to stem cells inside your bone marrow. There are different types of aplastic anemia, including Fanconi anemia.

What causes aplastic anemia?

The causes of aplastic anemia can include:

• Autoimmune disorders, which are the most common cause
• Certain inherited gene changes, such as the one that can cause Fanconi anemia
• Toxic substances, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene
• Radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer
• Certain medicines
• Viral infections such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, or HIV
• Pregnancy

In many people, the cause is unknown. This is called idiopathic aplastic anemia.

What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia can develop suddenly or slowly. It can be mild or severe. The symptoms of aplastic anemia can include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Easy bruising or bleeding

What other problems can aplastic anemia cause?

Aplastic anemia can cause other problems, including frequent infections and bleeding. It raises your risk of developing a serious blood disorder.

If not treated, aplastic anemia can also lead to heart problems such as an arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat), an enlarged heart, or heart failure.

How is aplastic anemia diagnosed?

To find out if you have aplastic anemia, your doctor will:

• Take your medical and your family medical histories
• Do a physical exam
• Order tests, such as tests to check if you have low numbers of cells in your bone marrow and blood

What are the treatments for aplastic anemia?

If you have aplastic anemia, your doctor will create a treatment plan for you. The plan will be based on how severe the anemia is and what is causing it. Treatments can include:

• Blood transfusions
• Blood and marrow stem cell transplants
• Medicines to suppress your immune system

Because of the risk of blood disorders, your doctor will monitor your condition and screen you for blood disorders regularly.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• Aplastic Anemia

  (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

• Iron Chelation

  (Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation)

• Treatments for Blood Disorders

  (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

  Also in Spanish

• Special Issues for People with Aplastic Anemia

  (Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation)

• Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes

  (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

• Fanconi Anemia (FA)

  (Cleveland Clinic Foundation)

• Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA)

  (National Marrow Donor Program)

• ClinicalTrials. gov: Anemia, Aplastic

  (National Institutes of Health)

• Article: Low-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide with G-CSF/ATG based haploidentical protocol provides favorable outcomes. ..

• Article: Efficacy of Eltrombopag with Immunosuppressive Therapy Versus Immunosuppressive Therapy Alone on…

• Article: Clinical Profile of Hepatitis Associated Aplastic Anemia (HAAA) in Six Children.

• Aplastic Anemia — see more articles

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Aplastic Anemia (For Parents)

  (Nemours Foundation)

  Also in Spanish

• Anemia

  (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health)

  Also in Spanish

Anemia of chronic disease: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are many types of anemia.

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is anemia that is found in people with certain long-term (chronic) medical conditions that involve inflammation.

Anemia is a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells in the blood. ACD is a common cause of anemia. Some conditions that can lead to ACD include:

• Autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis
• Cancer, including lymphoma and Hodgkin disease
• Long-term infections, such as bacterial endocarditis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), HIV/AIDS, lung abscess, hepatitis B or hepatitis C

Anemia of chronic disease is often mild. You may not notice any symptoms.

When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Feeling weak or tired
• Headache
• Paleness
• Shortness of breath

The health care provider will perform a physical exam.

Anemia may be the first symptom of a serious illness, so finding its cause is very important.

Tests that may be done to diagnose anemia or rule out other causes include:

• Complete blood count
• Reticulocyte count
• Serum ferritin level
• Serum iron level
• C-reactive protein level
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• Bone marrow examination (in rare cases to rule out cancer)

Anemia is often mild enough that it does not need treatment. It may get better when the disease that is causing it is treated.

More severe anemia, such as that caused by cancer or HIV/AIDS may require:

• Blood transfusion
• Erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys, given as a shot

The anemia will improve when the disease that is causing it is treated.

Discomfort from symptoms is the main complication in most cases. Anemia may lead to a higher risk for death in people with heart failure.

Contact your provider if you have a long-term (chronic) disorder and you develop symptoms of anemia.

Anemia of inflammation; Inflammatory anemia; AOCD; ACD

• Blood cells

Elghetany MT, Banki K. Erythrocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 33.

Means RT. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 149.

Nayak L, Gardner LB, Little JA. Anemia of chronic diseases. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 37.

Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Anemia. What is the danger of long-term anemia?

Anemia is a disease characterized by low levels of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin in human blood.

Normally, the level of hemoglobin in the blood of a healthy person should be at least 120 g/l (according to various sources, the lower limits range from 120 to 135 g/l).

Many doctors often hear the phrase from patients at the reception: “Low hemoglobin? So what? I’ve lived with this all my life, it’s normal for me … “

These statements are very wrong!

The fact is that the human body has significant reserves of adaptation and is able to “adjust” to many extreme conditions and loads. However, how long do reserves last?

It has been experimentally established that to ensure life in a state of complete rest in a healthy person (when he lies and does not experience any stress), a hemoglobin level of only 70 g / l is sufficient. At this level of hemoglobin, the delivery of the required amount of oxygen to the cells of organs and tissues is ensured. However, to be in a state of complete rest is only possible in a dream.

In everyday life, each of us experiences tremendous stress, sometimes extreme, both physical and psycho-emotional. As a result, metabolic processes are accelerated, there is an additional load on the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, endocrine system. And this is a completely different level of needs! And with a reduced level of hemoglobin, it can be quite difficult for the body to provide these needs, and with prolonged anemia, pathological processes are triggered, which subsequently lead to serious chronic diseases.

When do you need to pay attention to your health?

Any healthy person should undergo a minimum preventive examination once a year, which includes a complete blood test.

If the hemoglobin level is below 120 g/l , a physician should be consulted.

Anemia with a hemoglobin level above 100 g/l is considered mild and does not pose a serious danger to the body at the time of detection, but still requires correction. At a hemoglobin level of 70-80 g / l and below, urgent measures must be taken, because. this condition poses serious threats to health, and sometimes life!

Iron deficiency anemia occupies a leading position for the development of anemia – every 12th person in the world suffers from iron deficiency anemia, and among all anemia iron deficiency in frequency reaches 80%.

What causes the development of iron deficiency anemia? Causes can be elemental iron deficiency in food, impaired absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract (for example, with gastritis with low acidity) and chronic bleeding.

The most common types of chronic bleeding are:

• chronic hemorrhoids complicated by bleeding.
• menstrual disorders in women in the form of heavy and prolonged menstruation, uterine bleeding (against the background of endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, hormonal disruptions).

However, iron deficiency anemia can also be one of the first symptoms of tumor processes, for example, colon cancer – tumor decay sites bleed into the intestinal lumen and the person simply does not notice it!

What is the danger of long-term anemia?

Even mild anemia can cause serious damage to health if it exists for a long time! Prolonged oxygen starvation of tissues (hypoxia) leads to metabolic disorders, accumulation of toxic metabolic products, excessive load on the life-support organs – the heart, lungs, as well as excretory organs – the liver, kidneys.

As a result of chronic hypoxia, sclerotic processes develop in tissues and organs – normal, working tissue is replaced by sclerotic (conditionally “scar”), as a result of which the organs begin to gradually lose their function – cardiosclerosis develops with manifestations of heart failure (shortness of breath, edema, decreased tolerance of physical loads), cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory failure, the function of the liver, kidneys, blood vessels, endocrine organs, and brain suffers. A person, without noticing it, acquires chronic diseases, loses his ability to work, becomes emotionally labile, depressed, and immunity decreases. In addition, against the background of chronic anemia, any acute disease, be it a viral infection, tonsillitis, or more serious illnesses, is much more severe, dangerous complications develop much more often due to the fact that there are simply no compensatory capabilities in the body, they are exhausted by a long hypoxic state.

In order to avoid the development of chronic diseases against the background of anemia, long, debilitating, and sometimes expensive treatments, you must follow simple rules:

• undergo an annual preventive examination – for a healthy person, it will be enough to take a general blood and urine test, undergo a fluorography and visit a general practitioner, gynecologist (urologist) and dentist.
• when identifying symptoms of chronic diseases that can lead to the development of anemia, timely correct them.
• if there are signs of chronic bleeding, promptly diagnose and treat the diseases that cause them.

Especially for women with gynecological problems . Often, women are accustomed to endure all hardships and long heavy menstruation is considered almost a variant of the norm! This is fundamentally wrong – on the one hand, very often after treatment it is quite easy to restore the normal menstrual cycle and there simply is no reason for anemia, on the other hand, long heavy periods, especially in women after 40 years old, can be the first symptoms of oncological diseases of the female sphere !

– anemia needs to be treated! Even if you have mild anemia, you need to correct your hemoglobin level in a timely manner – sometimes just a diet and a monthly course of taking iron supplements is enough to restore normal blood counts and prevent the development of adverse long-term effects!

The ACMD-MEDOX clinic has access to almost all the necessary research methods for diagnosing anemia. Comfortable conditions, professional specialists, modern equipment will allow you to pass the necessary examinations painlessly and in the shortest possible time.

Experienced doctors of our center will help you in the early stages to identify the first signs of anemia, understand the causes of its occurrence and prescribe adequate therapy for the identified pathologies! Be healthy!

Article prepared by ACMD-MEDOKS specialists

Anemia – symptoms, treatment, diagnosis

One of the main functions of blood is to deliver oxygen to all organs and tissues. Oxygen in the blood is mainly bound to hemoglobin, and hemoglobin is found in erythrocytes (red blood cells). Conditions in which the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases are called anemia or anemia. Due to the fact that the ability of blood to carry oxygen decreases, organs and tissues experience oxygen starvation, so the main complaints of patients with anemia are:
• weakness
• increased fatigue
• reduced performance
• shortness of breath (feeling short of breath) initially with exertion, and with severe anemia also at rest
• palpitations (tachycardia)
• pallor.

Due to the fact that such manifestations are not specific for anemia, patients sometimes turn to non-specialized specialists, for example, to cardiologists, and are very surprised that palpitations are in no way associated with heart pathology. Often, patients with anemia are sent to the doctor by their relatives and friends, noticing pallor that was previously unusual for the patient – one of the consequences of a decrease in hemoglobin levels.

The most common causes of anemia are deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid. Anemia caused by each of these causes has its own characteristics.

Iron deficiency anemia is more common among girls and young women. The fact is that normal bleeding during each menstrual cycle leads to regular loss of iron. If its amount is not sufficiently replenished with food, then iron deficiency gradually forms and anemia increases. This process develops especially rapidly during pregnancy (because iron is consumed for the growth of the fetus) and after childbirth (blood loss).

However, this does not mean that only women suffer from iron deficiency anemia, and heavy periods are the only cause of such anemia. The second most common cause of iron deficiency anemia is bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract due to erosions or ulcerative lesions of the esophagus, stomach, small or large intestine. Moreover, in most cases, such blood loss occurs hidden, i.e. not accompanied by hematemesis (vomiting red blood or coffee grounds) and red or black stools.

Another cause of iron deficiency is tumors, incl. gastrointestinal tract – they can ulcerate and tint, in addition, iron can be spent directly on tumor growth.

Due to the fact that iron is needed not only for the formation of hemoglobin, but also for normal tissue respiration, especially in tissues where cells divide rapidly, symptoms of iron deficiency include:
• increased hair loss
• dryness and flaking of the skin
• nail changes (striation, deformation of the nail plates, brittleness)
• the appearance of jamming in the corners of the mouth
• specific changes in taste and smell, when you want to smell and eat unusual and sometimes inedible things (eg chalk, clay, earth, ice, patients may like the smell of gasoline, camphor alcohol, etc. ).

Vitamin B12 and folic acid are needed for normal cell division, and their deficiency leads, first of all, to impaired cell division in the bone marrow, the source of blood cells.

Alimentary (food) deficiency of vitamin B12 (as well as iron) is typical for strict vegetarians, because. the main source of vitamin B12 (and iron) are animal products. Folic acid deficiency can develop with insufficient consumption of greens and vegetables. In addition, impaired absorption of vitamin B12 is characteristic of parasitic diseases (helminthic invasions), diseases in which the absorption of vitamins is impaired, as well as atrophic gastritis. The intake of certain drugs is accompanied by a deficiency of vitamin B12 (for example, metformin for diabetes mellitus, antisecretory drugs such as omeprazole, rabeprazole, etc. for gastritis, peptic ulcer disease) or folic acid (for example, sulfonamide therapy). Pregnancy exacerbates vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies for the same reason that iron deficiency increases.

Due to the fact that the clinical manifestations of deficiency anemia are very similar, additional examinations are needed to clarify their cause. Such examinations, in addition to blood and urine tests, include gastroscopy and colonoscopy (to identify the source of blood loss, as well as a tumor disease), ultrasound of the pelvic organs and a gynecologist’s consultation for women and other examinations depending on the clinical picture (the volume of examinations is determined by the attending physician) .

Prevention of deficiency anemia is a varied diet, including both fruits, vegetables, herbs, and red meat dishes.

With the development of deficiency anemia, treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause of anemia and replenishing the deficiency of elements: iron – with iron deficiency, vitamin B12 – with B12 deficiency and folic acid – with folic acid deficiency anemia. You need to understand that from plant products (buckwheat, pomegranate juice, apples, etc. ), iron is absorbed very poorly, only heme iron, which is found in meat, is well absorbed. But even excessive consumption of meat products is not enough to replenish iron stores in the body if its deficiency has already developed. In such cases, iron preparations are prescribed: for mild anemia and the absence of malabsorption – orally, for severe deficiency or problems with iron absorption – intravenously or intramuscularly (including in the II and III trimesters of pregnancy).

The course of treatment with iron preparations is long – at least 3 months in adequate doses, because it is necessary not only to restore the level of hemoglobin, but also to replenish iron stores in the body. If you limit yourself to a short course, hemoglobin will increase, but soon anemia will develop again. If the cause of anemia persists (for example, with heavy periods), iron preparations can be prescribed after the main long course in short courses (for example, the first 5 days of each month). The main side effects of iron preparations include stool disorders and abdominal pain, which often disappear with continued therapy or with the selection of the optimal drug. In addition, you need to know that against the background of treatment with iron preparations (inside in the form of tablets, drops, solutions), the stool becomes black – this should not be frightened.

Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency is also long-term – the main course can last six months. In Russia, only injectable forms of vitamin B12 are registered for the treatment of B12 deficiency anemia, which are administered intramuscularly (in the form of injections). Failure to treat vitamin B12 deficiency is fraught with severe disorders, incl. neurological, and during pregnancy – developmental disorders of the fetus.

Replenishment of folic acid deficiency is especially important during pregnancy, because. deficiency of this vitamin in the first days of pregnancy can lead to impaired development of the neural tube of the fetus and severe congenital malformations.

In this regard, responsible drug manufacturers add folic acid to hormonal contraceptives, assuming that, if pregnancy does develop, the female body will be prepared for the development of the fetus.