Anemia is a condition involving a lack of healthy red blood cells. Blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to all tissues in the body.
Pernicious anemia occurs when the intestines cannot properly absorb vitamin B12 (cobalamin); an essential vitamin in the formation of red blood cells, in cell metabolism, DNA production and for nerve function.
Causes of pernicious anemia
Unbalanced diet
Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B12, which is found in foods such as meat, chicken, seafood, eggs and milk. A special protein, called intrinsic factor (IF), allows vitamin B12 to be easily absorbed by the intestines. If the stomach does not adequately generate intrinsic factor, the intestine has problems absorbing vitamin B12.
The main cause of pernicious anemia is having an autoimmune disease such as Addison’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Graves’ disease, myasthenia gravis, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, Sjögren’s syndrome or celiac disease in which the immune system attacks the intrinsic factor protein. Another very common cause is the weakening of the stomach lining (atrophic gastritis). It is not very common, but sometimes pernicious anemia is transmitted hereditarily.
It is important to control your diet, especially for those who are vegetarians, as they are at greater risk of suffering from anemia.
Symptoms of pernicious anemia
Very common signs, but they do not always appear
The symptoms of pernicious anemia do not always appear, but when they do they are very common and can be confused with similar symptoms of other diseases.
– Fatigue.
– Pale skin color.
– Depression.
– Respiratory problems.
– Nausea and vomiting.
– Arrhythmias.
– Itching and tingling in the extremities.
– Loss of appetite.
– Acidity.
– Inflammation of the tongue and/or gums.
– Mental confusion.
– Concentration problems.
Diagnosis of pernicious anemia
Detection through blood tests
The doctor subjects the patient to a physical examination and performs a blood test to determine the number of red blood cells in the body and to determine if the body is lacking vitamin B12.
Treatment and medication of pernicious anemia
Improve diet
To treat pernicious anemia, there is basically a need to increase the presence of vitamin B12 in the body. To do this, the doctor will prescribe vitamin supplements by injection or oral ingestion periodically, usually once a month. We must also improve our diet to ensure that the foods we eat have adequate levels of the vitamin that the body lacks. Typically, these measures are effective and produce positive results in a short term.
Prevention of pernicious anemia
Basic factor: balanced diet
Preventing this disorder involves following a balanced diet rich in vitamin B12. Foods with high levels of this vitamin include meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, milk and eggs.
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