Anemia, also known as anemia, is a very common condition. This is not an independent diagnosis, but a consequence of any disease. Anemia is characterized by a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells in the blood (in some types of anemia, the number of red blood cells may remain within the normal range, while the level of hemoglobin decreases). Most often, anemia develops in women – according to some reports, almost a fifth of women suffer from a lack of hemoglobin to one degree or another.
There are three main groups of types of anemias:
- arising from acute or chronic blood loss
- caused by the destruction of red blood cells
- caused by impaired production of erythrocytes (deficient, associated with a lack of microelements that provide hematopoiesis, and hypoplastic, caused by impaired hematopoiesis in the bone marrow)
The most common are iron deficiency and B12-deficiency anemias.
There are also rare types of this pathological condition, including congenital ones, which are hereditary.
All types of anemia have specific signs, however, there are a number of common symptoms that make it possible to suspect a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood. The severity of symptoms depends on the severity of the anemia.
Usually at the word “anemia” a fragile weak creature appears in the imagination, from under the pale skin of which bluish veins barely shine through. This image is not far from reality: the most common signs of anemia, clearly visible to an outsider’s eye, are a noticeable pallor of the skin, sometimes turning into transparency, bluish or dark circles under the eyes.
The skin may dry and flake, have a slight greenish or yellowish tint. The mucous membrane of the eyes and mouth also turns pale. Cracks (“seizures”) may appear in the corners of the mouth, and bright red spots are often visible on the surface of the tongue.
Another external sign of anemia is a change in the appearance of nails.
Nails become brittle, thin, easily exfoliate, grooves may appear on them. In some patients, koilonychia is noted – a deformation of the nails, in which the nail plate acquires a concave spoon-shaped shape.
Anemia, especially iron deficiency, is the most common cause of hair loss, so a decrease in hemoglobin levels often goes hand in hand with thinning hair. Also, hair can become thinner, break, in advanced cases, early gray hair is noted.
Other manifestations of anemia:
- weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations
- dizziness, headaches
- memory impairment, decreased ability to concentrate
- decreased performance, high fatigue
- exercise intolerance
- tinnitus, visual disturbances (points flickering before the eyes)
- poor circulation in the limbs (cold hands and feet)
- loss of appetite or perverted taste (desire to eat chalk, ice, raw dough, raw cereals)
- perversion of smell (desire to inhale the smells of paint, gasoline, earth, wet concrete)
- menstrual irregularities in women
There are also signs that only a doctor can notice during examination: a heart murmur, an enlarged spleen
It is impossible to diagnose anemia only by external signs; this requires laboratory blood tests. However, the detection of characteristic symptoms of anemia is a reason for seeking medical help – often anemia develops slowly, its mild degree is often almost asymptomatic. This is especially true for deficiency anemias.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in women. This is largely due to natural blood loss during menstruation. In addition, iron can be poorly absorbed, it can be supplied with food in insufficient quantities. Equally poor in iron are the dietary ration of those who want to get rid of extra pounds, and the menu of those who are not too concerned about their weight and prefer foods high in carbohydrates.
There are several categories of people susceptible to iron deficiency anemia to a greater extent.
If you can categorize yourself in one or more of these categories, you should be careful about your own health and monitor your hemoglobin level in your blood regularly:
- pregnant
- smokers
- vegetarians
- losing weight
- nursing mothers
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers have an increased need for iron. If little of it comes from food, there are signs of iron deficiency anemia.
Also, iron deficiency is often experienced by people who abuse alcohol, patients with stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the esophagus and other diseases, the symptom of which is internal bleeding.
Sometimes anemia develops in women after the installation of an intrauterine device, as a result of which menstruation becomes longer and more abundant.
Long-term use of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to anemia, since these drugs can irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and even form bleeding erosions on it.
The absorption of iron is impaired by foods rich in calcium, tea and coffee. Therefore, even if your diet can be called balanced, it is better not to drink your food with a cup of tea or coffee and not to consume meat and dairy products during one meal.
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