What are the common causes of mild anemia. How does slight anemia affect the body. What symptoms may indicate mild anemia. When should you seek medical attention for slight anemia. How is mild anemia typically diagnosed and treated.

What is Slight Anemia and How Common is It?

Slight anemia, also known as mild anemia, occurs when an individual has slightly lower than normal levels of hemoglobin in their red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. This condition is surprisingly prevalent, affecting up to one-third of the global population. While mild anemia is generally not a cause for immediate concern, it’s essential to understand its implications and potential progression.

How prevalent is mild anemia across different demographics? Mild anemia can affect people of all ages, sexes, and genders. However, it’s more commonly observed in:

• Females of reproductive age
• Pregnant individuals
• Older adults

In most cases, mild anemia doesn’t present noticeable symptoms and may not require medical intervention. However, if left unaddressed, it can potentially progress to a more severe form, impacting overall health and well-being.

Common Causes of Slight Anemia

Understanding the underlying causes of mild anemia is crucial for effective management and prevention. What are the primary factors contributing to slight anemia? Let’s explore the most common causes:

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent cause of anemia worldwide. Why is iron so crucial for preventing anemia? Iron is an essential component in the production of hemoglobin. When the body lacks sufficient iron, it cannot produce adequate hemoglobin, potentially leading to iron deficiency anemia.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Certain vitamins play a vital role in red blood cell production. Which vitamins are most commonly associated with anemia? Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies can significantly impact red blood cell formation, potentially resulting in anemia.

Chronic Diseases

Various chronic conditions can interfere with red blood cell production, leading to anemia. Some of these include:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Blood Loss

Blood loss from various sources can contribute to the development of anemia. What are some common causes of blood loss leading to anemia? Potential sources include:

• Injuries
• Surgical procedures
• Heavy menstrual bleeding

Inherited Conditions

Some genetic disorders can result in mild anemia. Examples of inherited conditions that may cause anemia include:

• Diamond-Blackfan anemia
• Thalassemia

Pregnancy-Related Anemia

Pregnancy can lead to a form of anemia due to the body’s increased blood production. How does pregnancy contribute to anemia? During pregnancy, the body produces 40-60% more plasma to support fetal growth. This increased blood volume can dilute the concentration of red blood cells, potentially resulting in mild anemia.

Chronic Conditions and Medications

Certain chronic conditions and medications can interfere with red blood cell production or cause anemia as a side effect. Examples include:

• HIV
• Hepatitis
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Antiretroviral medications used in HIV treatment

Recognizing the Symptoms of Slight Anemia

Mild anemia may not always present noticeable symptoms, or the symptoms may be so subtle that they go undetected. However, some individuals with slight anemia may experience various signs. What are the common symptoms associated with mild anemia?

• Fatigue and weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Cold hands and feet
• Irregular heartbeat

When are these symptoms more likely to become apparent? Individuals may notice these symptoms more prominently during physical activities or under stressful conditions.

Mild Anemia During Pregnancy: A Special Consideration

Pregnancy introduces unique circumstances that can lead to mild anemia. What types of anemia are commonly observed during pregnancy?

Physiologic Anemia of Pregnancy

This condition occurs due to the increased blood volume during pregnancy. Is physiologic anemia of pregnancy harmful? Generally, this type of anemia is mild and doesn’t pose significant risks to maternal or fetal health.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy

Iron deficiency anemia accounts for approximately 75% of all anemia cases during pregnancy. Why does iron deficiency anemia occur in pregnancy? As blood volume increases during pregnancy, the body requires more iron to support fetal growth.

Why is it important to differentiate between types of anemia during pregnancy? Distinguishing between physiologic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, and other less common causes is crucial for determining appropriate treatment and management strategies.

What are the potential risks of severe anemia during pregnancy?

• Increased risk of anemia in the baby
• Higher likelihood of blood loss during pregnancy

Regular prenatal checkups and open communication with healthcare providers are essential for monitoring and managing anemia during pregnancy.

Is Mild Anemia Harmful?

Generally, mild anemia isn’t considered harmful and doesn’t typically lead to long-term health concerns. However, it’s important to understand its potential impacts. How can mild anemia affect daily life?

• It may cause fatigue and weakness, potentially affecting quality of life
• Symptoms may interfere with daily activities and productivity

Is there a risk of mild anemia progressing to a more severe form? In some cases, if the underlying cause isn’t addressed or the condition isn’t properly managed, mild anemia can progress to a more severe form.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Slight Anemia

Proper diagnosis and treatment of mild anemia are crucial for managing the condition effectively. How is mild anemia typically diagnosed?

• Blood tests to measure hemoglobin levels
• Complete blood count (CBC) to assess red blood cell count and characteristics
• Additional tests to identify underlying causes, such as iron studies or vitamin B12 levels

What treatment approaches are commonly used for mild anemia?

Dietary Changes and Supplements

For anemia caused by nutritional deficiencies, dietary modifications and supplements may be recommended. What dietary changes can help improve mild anemia?

• Increasing intake of iron-rich foods (red meat, poultry, fish, leafy green vegetables)
• Consuming foods high in vitamin B12 and folate
• Taking iron, vitamin B12, or folate supplements as prescribed by a healthcare provider

Treating Underlying Conditions

If the anemia is caused by a chronic illness or other medical condition, treating the underlying cause may be necessary. This could involve:

• Medications to address inflammation or other health issues
• Management of chronic diseases
• In some cases, blood transfusions may be required

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can support the management of mild anemia. What lifestyle modifications may be beneficial?

• Increasing physical activity levels
• Implementing stress reduction techniques
• Improving sleep habits

Preventing Complications and Managing Slight Anemia

While mild anemia is generally not harmful, taking steps to prevent complications and manage the condition effectively is important. What strategies can help in managing slight anemia?

• Regular medical check-ups to monitor hemoglobin levels
• Adhering to prescribed treatments and dietary recommendations
• Being aware of potential symptoms and reporting any changes to a healthcare provider

Is it important to consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplements? Yes, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before initiating any supplement regimen. Why is professional guidance necessary when taking supplements?

• Supplements can interact with prescription medications
• Proper dosing is essential to avoid potential side effects
• A healthcare provider can determine the most appropriate supplements based on individual needs

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and management strategies for slight anemia, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain their health and prevent potential complications. Regular communication with healthcare providers and adherence to recommended treatments can help ensure optimal management of mild anemia.

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Mild anemia can have several causes, including iron or B12 deficiency, chronic illness, or pregnancy.

Mild anemia occurs when you have slightly lower than normal levels of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Anemia is very common, affecting up to one-third of the world’s population. In most cases, the condition is mild and symptomless, and medical treatment is unnecessary. However, if anemia continues to progress, it may become severe and affect your overall health.

Anemia can occur in all ages, sexes, and genders, but it’s more common in females of reproductive age, pregnant people, and older adults.

There are several possible causes of mild anemia, including:

• Iron deficiency: This is the most common cause of anemia. Iron is needed to produce hemoglobin, so when the body lacks iron, it can’t make enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia may develop.
• Vitamin deficiency: A lack of certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 or folate, can lead to anemia. These vitamins are needed for red blood cell production.
• Chronic diseases: Chronic diseases such as kidney disease, liver disease, and inflammatory bowel disease can affect red blood cell production, leading to anemia.
• Blood loss: Blood loss from injury, surgery, or heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to anemia.
• Inherited conditions: Inherited conditions such as Diamond-Blackfan anemia or thalassemia can cause mild anemia.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the body produces more blood to support the growing fetus. This increased blood volume can dilute the concentration of red blood cells, leading to mild anemia.
• Chronic conditions: Conditions such as HIV or hepatitis can interfere with red blood cell production, leading to anemia.
• Medications: Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs or antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV, can cause anemia as a side effect.

Mild anemia in pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body produces 40–60% more plasma to support the growing fetus. This increased blood volume can dilute the concentration of red blood cells, leading to a condition known as physiologic anemia, which occurs in pregnancy. Physiologic anemia is usually mild and doesn’t pose a significant risk to your or your baby’s health.

Iron deficiency anemia is also common in pregnancy and accounts for about 75% of all types of anemia during pregnancy. As your blood volume increases during pregnancy, your body also requires more iron to support the growing fetus.

If you have anemia during pregnancy, it’s important to differentiate between iron deficiency anemia, physiologic anemia, and other less common causes of anemia in pregnancy that may require treatment.

If anemia becomes more severe during pregnancy, it can increase the risk of anemia in the baby and blood loss during pregnancy. Be sure to attend regular checkups, and talk with your doctor if you’re displaying symptoms of mild anemia.

Mild anemia may not cause any symptoms, or the symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed. However, some people with mild anemia may experience:

• fatigue and weakness
• pale skin
• shortness of breath
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• headache
• cold hands and feet
• irregular heartbeat

These symptoms may be more noticeable during physical activity or when you’re under stress.

Is mild anemia harmful?

Mild anemia generally isn’t harmful and doesn’t typically cause long-term health concerns. However, it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and weakness, which may affect your quality of life.

In some cases, mild anemia can progress to a more severe form if not managed or if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.

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Treatment for mild anemia depends on the underlying cause.

If the anemia is caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins or minerals, such as iron, vitamin B12, or folate, increasing your intake of these nutrients through diet or supplements may be recommended.

In some cases, mild anemia can be corrected through changes in dietary habits alone. For instance, increasing the intake of iron-rich foods — such as red meat, poultry, fish, and leafy green vegetables — may help improve mild anemia caused by iron deficiency.

Learn more about getting more iron into your diet.

If the underlying cause is more complex, such as a chronic illness, further medical evaluation and treatment may be necessary. This may include medications to treat the underlying condition, such as inflammation or cancer, or procedures, such as blood transfusions.

In addition to medical treatment, lifestyle modifications may also help improve mild anemia. This may include increasing physical activity levels, reducing stress, and improving sleep habits.

Did you know?

Supplements can cause interactions with prescription medications you may already be taking. Always talk with your doctor about the appropriate timing for taking your medications and supplements.

Typically, it’s important to wait at least 2 hours after taking a fiber supplement before taking any other supplement or medication.

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Here are some methods you may use to monitor anemia symptoms:

• Get regular blood tests: Blood tests can help doctors monitor the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin in your blood. Depending on the severity of your anemia, blood tests may be done every few weeks or months to track progress.
• Take supplements as recommended: If your healthcare team recommends iron supplements or other supplements, it’s important to take them as directed.
• Track your symptoms: Keeping a journal of symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness, can help monitor the severity of your anemia symptoms over time.

• Periodic follow-up appointments: Depending on the underlying cause of anemia and the severity of your symptoms, periodic follow-up appointments with a healthcare professional may be necessary to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
• Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet: A diet that’s rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate can help prevent anemia from getting worse. Good sources of iron include red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Mild anemia occurs when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to transport oxygen effectively to the body’s tissues.

While mild anemia may not always be a cause for immediate concern, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.

By understanding the causes and symptoms of mild anemia, you can take steps to manage the condition and improve your overall health and well-being.

Anaemia: Symptoms, Treatments, Iron Deficiency

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• 
  
  

  Anaemia is a condition in which you don’t have enough red blood cells or haemoglobin to meet your body’s needs. Red blood cells use haemoglobin to carry oxygen around your body.

  If you have anaemia, the tissues and organs in your body might not get enough oxygen.

• 
  
  

  If you have anaemia, you may:

  • look pale
  • feel tired and weak
  • not feel able to do as much exercise as you normally would
  • feel dizzy
  • feel faint
  • feel short of breath when you exercise
  • have a thumping or unusual beating of your heart (palpitations)

  These symptoms can be caused by other things, but if you have any of them, contact your GP surgery for advice.

  See our Symptoms of anaemia section for more information.

• 
  
  

  Anaemia has different causes. A common type is iron-deficiency anaemia when you don’t have enough vitamin B12 or folate in your diet. This can happen if you’re pregnant or you have a poor diet. It might also happen if you have Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease.

  Anaemia can also be caused by conditions that affect your bone marrow or immune system.

  See our section: Causes of anaemia for more detail.

• 
  
  

  How long you’ll need to take vitamin B12 supplements depends on why your levels of this nutrient are so low.

  If your vitamin B12 levels are low because of your diet, you may need to take supplements until the levels return to normal. You’ll need to make sure you make changes to your diet too, to stop the anaemia coming back. If you’re vegan, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to maintain the levels of vitamin B12 in your body through your diet alone. This is because the most common sources of vitamin B12 come from animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy products. You’ll probably need to continue taking supplements for the rest of your life.

  Your doctor may prescribe you vitamin B12 injections too, which you’ll need to have for a couple of months at least. Many people need life-long vitamin B12 injections to stop their anaemia from coming back. This may be more likely if:

  • you’re vegan
  • your deficiency is caused by something other than diet – for example your body can’t take in (absorb) vitamin B12 from the foods you eat

• 
  
  

  This depends on what’s causing it. How quickly anaemia develops can also make a difference to how much it affects you.

  Vitamin-deficiency anaemias are usually easily treated with supplements and by making small changes to your diet. But if you don’t get adequate treatment for anaemia, it can lead to potentially serious complications, such as heart problems.

  Other types of anaemia can be more serious. For instance, aplastic anaemia is a much more serious condition in which you don’t produce enough of any blood cells. In the past, people wouldn’t have been able to survive this type of anaemia. But treatments available today mean the outlook for most people is much better. There may be a serious medical condition causing the anaemia – for example, leukaemia or cancer that has spread to the bone marrow. Ask your doctor how serious your anaemia is and what treatment is best for you.

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symptoms and signs, treatments

Anemic condition may result from iron deficiency at birth, unbalanced diet or rapid growth. In adults, anemia often occurs as a complication of diseases of internal organs and systems.

Several risk factors for the disease can be identified. For example, we are talking about a vegetarian diet that leads to vitamin B12 deficiency. Alcohol abuse can cause folic acid deficiency, which also increases the risk of anemia. Some types of pathology are hereditary in nature (for example, sickle cell anemia). In addition, the development of the disease can provoke the intake of certain medications and the presence of untreated infections.

What is anemia

As we have already noted, this pathological condition is characterized by a decrease in the level of red blood cells and / or hemoglobin in the blood. In men, anemia is considered to be a decrease in hemoglobin below 130 g / l, for women this indicator during the development of the disease is less than 120 g / l. For children – values ​​are determined taking into account age.

According to the World Health Organization, the disease is diagnosed in 2 billion people worldwide. Anemia is much more common in women, and pathology is also quite common among children. It affects up to 30-40% of newborns and about 25% of adolescents.

Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and, after maturation, enter the blood in a “kit” with hemoglobin molecules. Each hemoglobin molecule includes a protein and non-protein iron group. The main biological function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen to tissues and transport carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs. With the development of anemia, this process is disrupted, which leads to the development of hypoxia (oxygen starvation of tissues).

In most cases, anemia is not an independent disease, but only a manifestation of another pathology. Therefore, even mild forms of anemia require diagnostics to exclude recurrences of such situations.

Causes of the disease

The development of anemia in humans is often associated with impaired formation of new red blood cells and increased destruction of red blood cells. In addition, this condition may be the result of the loss of red blood cells during heavy bleeding.

The lower the hemoglobin level, the more severe the disease. The patient may face a number of serious complications and a significant deterioration in well-being. But the main danger of pathology is that it is often accompanied by more severe internal diseases.

Based on this, three main mechanisms for the development of pathology can be distinguished:

• Violation of the formation of erythrocytes and hemoglobin synthesis.
• The result of loss of red blood cells (most often as a result of bleeding).
• Accelerated destruction of red blood cells.

The most common cause of anemia is blood loss. It may be acute or chronic. Acute bleeding is considered to be bleeding with a loss of more than 500-700 ml of blood (in an adult) in a short period of time. Such blood loss may be visible (for example, as a result of bleeding from a wound, epistaxis, or hematemesis) or hidden. The second option is more dangerous, since it cannot be noticed immediately. Hidden bleeding often occurs in the intestines or in the abdominal cavity.

Chronic bleeding is characterized by small but regular blood loss. It can be heavy menstruation in women, as well as stomach ulcers, oncological neoplasms, hemorrhoids and various intestinal lesions. Often this condition occurs after hemodialysis.

Impaired erythrocyte production and hemoglobin synthesis are associated with a lack of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid. Also the cause of anemia in this case may be diseases of the red bone marrow.

Iron deficiency is often the result of impaired intake, absorption or increased loss of iron in the body. In adult men, in half of the cases, this condition is caused by blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract. In women – heavy menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and recent childbirth. Particular attention should be paid to the diagnosis of iron deficiency in children, as it can be the result of a wide range of pathological processes.

If hematopoiesis is impaired, anemia can be provoked by the following reasons:

• Damage to the bone marrow by toxins or ionizing radiation.
• Insufficient intake or malabsorption of components necessary for the formation of new red blood cells (this is vitamin B12, folic acid, etc.).
• The appearance of secondary tumor foci (metastases) in the bone marrow.
• Violation of the formation of the non-protein part of hemoglobin.
• Hormonal disorders leading to a decrease in the formation of red blood cells.
• Development of antigen-antibody reaction after blood transfusion or allergy.

The list of possible causes of such disease as anemia can be continued. Unfortunately, there are many more factors that can cause the development of pathology…

Symptoms of anemia

Signs of anemia are often not sensitive or specific. Many types of anemia occur with minimal or no symptoms.

Possible non-specific symptoms include the following:

• General weakness and fatigue.
• Pale skin.
• Drowsiness.
• Frequent dizziness.
• Shortness of breath, palpitations.
• “Flies” before the eyes.

There are also signs that may indicate a specific cause of the disease:

• Dark urine and yellowing of the skin (in the absence of liver pathologies) indicate hemolysis.
• Weight loss can be one of the symptoms of a malignant tumor.
• Detection of blood in feces is evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Peripheral neuropathy develops in the presence of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Should alert dry skin, brittle nails and hair, cracks and “jamming” in the corners of the lips, constant muscle weakness. In severe cases, the patient may experience convulsions, vomiting, nausea, and other symptoms.

One of the most common diseases among adults and children around the world is anemia, often referred to as anemia. However, this name does not fully reflect the features of the pathology, since the patient has a decrease in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, and not all blood.

There are a lot of reasons that cause such a state. In women, the problem can be the result of heavy menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding. But there are also more serious causes, including hidden bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract and malignant neoplasms. Different degrees of anemia are often diagnosed in children, which can be the result of malnutrition, iron absorption disorders, or various diseases of the internal organs.

Let’s figure out why such a pathology occurs, how the diagnosis is made and what treatment methods exist.

Classification of disease

Classification of anemia is carried out taking into account various factors. Pathologies associated with blood loss are usually divided into two categories:

• acute
• chronic

Depending on the nature of development, hereditary and acquired pathologies are distinguished. As for the origin of anemia, all forms can be divided into:

• Hemolytic. Such anemias appear as a result of active destruction of red blood cells. Various factors can lead to this condition.
• Aplastic. Directly related to the inability of the bone marrow to create new blood cells.
• Posthemorrhagic. They are the result of a large loss of blood during bleeding.
• Scarce. They arise due to a deficiency of various trace elements: iron, vitamins or proteins.

For anemia resulting from impaired hematopoiesis in the body, the following classification is used. Allocate anemia:

• Associated with impaired DNA and RNA synthesis.
• Caused by a violation of the formation of hemoglobin.
• Associated with abnormal division of red blood cells.
• Caused by inhibition of bone marrow cell formation.

When diagnosing, it is important to determine the degree of anemia , as this will allow planning treatment tactics:

• Mild degree. Decrease in hemoglobin up to 90 g/l. The patient may have minor symptoms, in some cases the pathology is asymptomatic.
• Medium. Hemoglobin indicators remain in the range from 70 to 90 g / l. A person has general weakness and fatigue, often there are pronounced symptoms of the disease.
• Heavy. This stage is characterized by a decrease in the level of hemoglobin less than 70 g / l. Significantly increases the risk of complications from the cardiovascular system.

One of the fairly common forms of anemia is iron deficiency anemia. It is most common in women of childbearing age and children under 4 years of age. Such a anemia in children is most often associated with a vegetarian or unbalanced diet, some hereditary factors. The disease is characterized by the presence of hypoxic and sideropenic syndromes.

Hypoxic syndrome is manifested by symptoms common to all forms of anemia. The patient has pallor, palpitations, headache, tinnitus, severe weakness and tiredness.

Sideropenic syndrome is manifested by dry skin, hair loss and other symptoms that indicate an iron deficiency in the body. In addition, with the development of the disease, numerous metabolic disorders occur. This provokes such a variety of clinical symptoms. In severe cases, neurotic reactions and neurasthenia may occur. Very often, patients have lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, which manifest themselves in the form of chronic gastritis or intestinal malabsorption syndrome.

Another common form of anemia is folate deficiency. It occurs as a result of a deficiency of folic acid and folates (that is, its derivatives). This condition can be the result of alimentary insufficiency, malabsorption in the intestine, taking certain medications.

Unfortunately, there is no exact data on the prevalence of this pathology in our country. However, in the course of research, it was possible to establish a connection between this type of anemia and alcohol abuse. In patients with folate deficiency anemia, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, lethargy and poor appetite are observed. Often there is angular stomatitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Of particular danger is anemia that occurs with malignant neoplasms. This condition can be caused by both the presence of a tumor and its treatment. The pathogenesis of anemia in this case is quite complex and may be associated with direct and indirect consequences of the tumor process.

Diagnostic features

Suspect anemia based on history and physical examination. Most often, the initial diagnosis is performed by a general practitioner or pediatrician. Next, you may need to consult a hematologist, oncologist.

At the consultation, the specialist evaluates the general well-being of the person, pays special attention to the presence of fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath during exertion.

To clarify and confirm the diagnosis, the following laboratory tests are carried out:

• Clinical blood test with determination of the number of leukocytes and platelets.
• Erythrocyte indices and morphology.
• Peripheral blood smear.
• Study of the number of reticulocytes.

In some cases, diagnosis of anemia includes bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. But the examination begins with a general blood test, as it allows you to identify the number of leukocytes and platelets, as well as determine the indicator of the distribution of red blood cells by volume. The choice of further procedures is based on the results of a general analysis, since already at this stage it is possible to identify the presence of anemia, the possible causes of its development.

Normal hemoglobin values ​​vary with sex and age of the patient, and sometimes with chronic diseases and underlying conditions. For men, additional diagnostics are prescribed when the values ​​are already below 130 g/l; in women, the doctor may suspect anemia at values ​​below 120 g/l. For children, the limits of the norm change significantly with age, so special tables are used to evaluate the results.

A peripheral blood smear is used to detect an excess production of red blood cells. Using this procedure, it is possible to identify various changes in the structure of erythrocytes and detect a number of other disorders.

The evaluation of the reticulocyte count plays an important role in the diagnosis of anemia. Normal values ​​range from 0.5% to 1.5% (as a percentage) or from 50,000 to 150,000 / µl (in absolute terms). It is this parameter that makes it possible to evaluate the reaction of the bone marrow to insufficient production of red blood cells or their excessive destruction. A decrease in normal values ​​indicates the presence of the first problem, an increase indicates an increased destruction of red blood cells.

In some cases, bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels may also be assessed. These indicators help to differentiate between hemolysis and bleeding. Since in the first case, the values ​​\u200b\u200bare increased, and with blood loss they remain within the normal range.

If a violation of the process of cell maturation is suspected, the patient is prescribed a bone marrow biopsy. With the help of such diagnostics, it is possible to assess the distribution and number of erythrocyte precursors, the features of iron accumulation in cells, etc. Most often, manipulation is performed in the presence of unexplained anemia or a suspected primary bone marrow disease.

Additionally, the patient may be prescribed X-ray or CT scan of the chest, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, ECG. Such studies will help assess the state of internal systems and identify concomitant diseases.

Treatment

Treatment of anemia is always selected individually and depends on the symptoms present , causes, stage of development of the disease.

Key clinical guidelines include:

• Elimination of acute or chronic blood loss.
• Restoration of normal factors of growth and division of erythrocytes.
• Elimination of the causes of destruction of red blood cells.
• Treatment of diseases that cause a decrease in hemoglobin levels.

If there is a micronutrient deficiency, the patient is prescribed iron, folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12. In some cases, erythrocyte growth and reproduction stimulants are used. The normalization of nutrition is important – it is important for the patient to diversify the diet with foods high in proteins and vitamins. This will make up for the deficiency of important trace elements.

Severe cases may require blood transfusion or surgery (eg bone marrow transplant).

Hemolytic anemia is diagnosed with hormonal therapy, treatment with immunosuppressants or cytostatics, and sometimes with blood or plasma transfusions. This is required in order to eliminate the hemolyzing factor of the disease. Sometimes antibiotic therapy is performed to prevent infectious complications. In severe cases, bone marrow transplantation is used.

Often, especially in children, anemia is associated with infection with worms or other parasites. In this case, competent antiparasitic treatment will be required.

To prevent disease, it is recommended to visit a doctor regularly (once a year) and take a general blood test. This will allow you to track the decrease in hemoglobin and start early treatment. The diet should include offal, red meat, vegetables, fruits. Refusal of alcohol and smoking, prevention of helminthic invasion, taking medications only as prescribed by a doctor will also become important measures for the prevention of anemia. Pregnant women are prescribed an additional intake of folic acid and iron to prevent pathology.

If you notice signs of anemia, you should not postpone your visit to the doctor. You can seek help from our medical center “Yunona” – the specialists of the clinic will help determine the causes of your condition and select an effective treatment!

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• Anemia: symptoms and signs, treatments

how to increase low hemoglobin, symptoms and treatment of anemia – clinic “Dobrobut”

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Medical Library Dobrobut

Publication date: 2020-06-01

Anemia: causes and consequences of low hemoglobin

Anemia is a blood disease that can be caused by a lack of intake of certain microelements. The most common type of this pathology is iron deficiency anemia, which is associated with a lack of iron in the body. According to statistics, women are more likely to suffer from this disease, which is associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding and menstruation. Patients with anemia are interested in how to increase hemoglobin in the blood – this is the issue that will be discussed in this article.

Causes of iron deficiency anemia

What does it mean if hemoglobin is below normal? This may be the result of insufficient intake of iron or violations of the mechanism for the use of this microelement. Causes of iron deficiency anemia can be:

• the intake of iron from food into the body is insufficient
• the body has an increased need for iron
• iron malabsorption
• major blood loss
• long-term use of certain drugs
• congenital iron deficiency (low hemoglobin is detected in a newborn child)
• alcohol dependence.

The causes and consequences of low hemoglobin are considered by doctors at the same time, because these concepts are interrelated. For example, a large blood loss can lead to an anemic coma, a pathological condition that requires emergency medical care, and an insufficient supply of iron from food can provoke a lag in growth and development.

Degrees of anemia and signs of the disease

The disease in question can occur in varying degrees of severity, each will correspond to a certain level of hemoglobin in the blood:

• mild – 90 g/l and above
• moderate severity – hemoglobin level dropped below 90 g/l, but did not cross the border of 70 g/l
• severe – hemoglobin levels are less than 70 g / l.

The degrees of anemia have distinctive features. For example, with a mild degree of the disease, a person does not feel any changes in the body at all, and when the hemoglobin level drops below, the following will be noted:

• shortness of breath with little physical exertion
• muscle weakness
• constant feeling of tiredness
• dullness of hair, brittleness/separation of nails
• frequent infectious diseases.

Signs of anemia in women during pregnancy – pallor of the skin, cold upper limbs, slight dizziness, increased drowsiness, muscle weakness.

Symptoms and treatment of anemia are closely related, because doctors will first of all increase the level of hemoglobin, and in parallel with this they will carry out symptomatic therapy, which will help restore the general well-being of the patient.

How anemia is treated

Many people know that there are foods that increase hemoglobin, and they should be the basis when compiling a menu for a person diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. These “healing” products include:

• cottage cheese and cow’s milk
• chicken, beef and pork liver
• rose hips
• prunes
• seaweed
• blackcurrant
• rabbit meat
• egg yolk
• almonds
• buckwheat
• apples.

It is very important to make a rational menu, and for this you just need to know which foods increase hemoglobin. But doctors emphasize the importance of good nutrition, you can not prioritize dishes from the above products – otherwise, an excess of iron in the body may occur, which is also not the norm and leads to serious complications.

In some cases, doctors are faced with the problem of severe anemia, and then they face the question of how to quickly raise hemoglobin – food will do it slowly, smoothly and confidently. If it is necessary to provide quick assistance to a person with iron deficiency anemia, then he is prescribed iron supplements – with reduced hemoglobin, they will have a quick effect. As a rule, the following drugs are in priority:

• Hemofer prolongatum
• Ferro foil
• Sorbifer Durules
• Ferrum Lek.

Often patients with anemia are prescribed ascorbic acid, fructose – these medicines improve iron absorption.

Blood transfusion for low hemoglobin should only be considered if drug therapy and dietary management fail. Usually, indications for such a procedure are severe blood loss (there is simply no time for a slow recovery of hemoglobin levels), a steady decrease in blood pressure, an upcoming birth / surgical intervention in a person diagnosed with anemia.

Why is low hemoglobin dangerous? If anemia is not treated, disturbances in the functioning of all organs and systems occur, brain tissues can be affected, heart and liver failure develops – conditions that in most cases lead to disability or death.

All information about the prevention and diagnosis of anemia, the principles of treatment and the rapid increase in hemoglobin levels can be found on our website https://www.dobrobut.com/.

Related services:
Cardiology Check-up
Therapeutic hospital

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