Anemia

The most common type of anemia is iron deficiency that results when there is too little hemoglobin in the system or there are too few blood cells.

Here are some other types of anemia that are less common.

HOOK WORM INFECTION

Hook worm infection is found in women who go barefoot in tropical areas. The hookworm enters their body through their bare feet and finds its way to the intestines. Wearing shoes would prevent this problem. Treatment includes an anti-parasitic as well as an oral iron source taken for 5 months.

FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY

Approximately 26% of pregnancies are complicated by a lack of folic acid. Folic acid is needed in order for the body to make normal red blood cells in bone marrow. Adequate amounts of folic acid can be obtained by eating a diet that contains liver and other organ meats as well as green vegetables or supplementation may be from 0.5 mg to 5 mg daily.

Recent research has concluded that a deficiency in folic acid can cause neural tube defects in babies. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that all women who have previously given birth to a baby with spina bifida take 4 mg of folate daily before and during pregnancy. That is an extremely high dose, available only with prescription. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age increase their folate level to 0.4 mg per day.

MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA

This is a severe form of folic acid deficiency which may occur when the hemoglobin falls below 7 g/dl. Usually these women will fail to respond to iron supplementation prior to being diagnosed with this problem. A positive response is usually seen shortly after treatment with 5 mg of folic acid 5 times per day until 6 weeks postpartum. Midwives Daphne Singingtree and Althea Seaver suggest 4 mg folic acid and 0.5 mcg vit. B12.

PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

A severe form of anemia caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12. The number of red blood cells decreases with this disease due to a failure of the bone marrow to produce them. It is thought that it is inherited and comes about due to an inability of the stomach to secrete a substance that is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. It is most often found in people over the age of 30. Symptoms might include weakness and gastrointentestinal problems, a yellow hue to the skin, sore tongue and tingling in the extremities, nerve deterioration, diarrhea and loss of appetite may occur. It can be fatal.

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Sickle cell disease is most commonly found among people from tropical Africa or the West Indies. It is an inherited trait. The red blood cells take on a sickle shape and clump together to prevent adequate circulation. During the last trimester of pregnancy the woman may experience severe iron deficiency and have jaundice, hematuria, bone pain and possibly a pulmonary thromboembolism. Treatment may include high doses of folic acid and a blood transfusion if her Hgb is below 7. Wounds may not heal well and the fetus is at risk of hypoxia during labor.

THALASSEMIA MAJOR OR MINOR

Women from the Mediterranean areea and South East Asia are the most likely candidates for this problem which is inherited. It occurs despite adequate iron in the blood. Treatment includes supplementation with folic acid and possibly blood transfusions. The baby may suffer from hemolytic anemia and hydrops. If the mother has Thalassemia major she will be more likely to develop pre-eclampsia, have a low birth weight baby, fetal distress and fetal wastage. Thalassemia minor does not respond to iron therapy but causes no systemic problems. It needs to be differentiated from iron deficiency anemia as excess iron intake can occur that is harmful.

Treatment includes injections of Vitamin B12 and a very nutritious diet along with desiccated liver and supplementation with a B complex vitamin. Because folic acid can mask the effects of pernicious anemia, supplementation of this nutrient needs to be kept very small.

By Yvonne Lapp Cryns

Labels: anemia, anemia aplastic, anemia falciforme, anemia hemolytic, anemia pernicious, aplastic anemia, ferritina, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, sickle cell anemia

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Healthy bodies have adequate amounts of hemoglobin, the red blood cells that carry oxygen to cells. They also have an appropriate number of red blood cells. Anemia results when either there is too little hemoglobin circulating or there are too few red blood cells themselves. Due to the expansion of blood volume that takes place during a normal pregnancy, pregnant women are frequently found to be anemic. About 90% of the anemias occurring during pregnancy are due to iron-deficiency.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

When anemia exists, carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood giving rise to the symptoms of anemia.

* dizziness
* pale mucous membranes
* always tired
* breathlessness
* palpitation and maybe a rapid pulse
* poor appetite

DIAGNOSIS

A complete blood count will separate the red cells and give a read-out for hemoglobin and hematocrit. The normal lab range for non-pregnant women is 12-16 g/dl and for the pregnant woman, 10-14 g/dl. The current standard definition for anemia is a hemoglobin below 11 g/dl. Pregnant women commonly have a decrease in their hemoglobin of about 10% due to the blood volume expansion.

CAUSES

Some causes of iron deficiency anemia:

* blood loss from profuse menstrual flow
* inadequate intake of iron, copper, folic acid, and B vitamins
* loss due to fetal intake
* hemorrhage
* insecticides
* drugs that destroy Vitamin E
* excess Vitamin K in pregnant women may cause anemia in fetus
* chronic use of laxatives
* malabsorbtion diseases - sprue, celiac
* cooking with large amounts of water
* eating large amounts of canned food

TREATMENTS

Prevention is important because many cases of iron deficiency anemia can be avoided through good nutrition and life style. For most types of anemia, supplementation of a ferrous product and/or folic acid will be given during the maternity period and postpartum as well as dietary guidance for ingestion of iron rich foods. In sever cases, blood transfusion may be necessary.

Treatment includes injections of Vitamin B12 and a very nutritious diet along with desiccated liver and supplementation with a B complex vitamin. Because folic acid can mask the effects of pernicious anemia, supplementation of this nutrient needs to be kept very small.

By Yvonne Lapp Cryns

Labels: anemia, anemia aplastic, anemia falciforme, aplastic anemia, ferritina, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, sickle cell anemia

Welcome to Anemia blog...

Labels: anemia, anemia aplastic, anemia falciforme, aplastic anemia, ferritina, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, sickle cell anemia