Hypochromic anemia is a term that unites a whole group of diseases, which are accompanied by a decrease in the value of the color index of blood. Such changes indicate a deficiency of hemoglobin, and this, in turn, is fraught with very dangerous complications, up to a coma that develops against the background of oxygen starvation.
Of course, many people are looking for any additional information about the disease. Why does the disease develop? What symptoms are accompanied? How is hypochromic anemia treated with drugs? How dangerous can the disease be? The answers to these questions are important to many readers.
General information about the disease
As you know, human blood consists of a liquid plasma part and formed elements, in particular, erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes. Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells and carbon dioxide to the tissues of the lungs.
A kind of "nucleus" of red blood cellsis hemoglobin - a complex protein molecule, which contains iron. It is hemoglobin that binds oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules.
Sometimes, for one reason or another, the number of red blood cells, as well as the level of hemoglobin, decreases significantly. It is this condition that is called hypochromic anemia. By the way, in the people this disease is known under the name "anemia". The disease is accompanied by a violation of the oxygen supply of cells, which is dangerous for the whole organism.
Causes of anemia
Treatment of hypochromic anemia directly depends on the causes of the pathology. The disease can develop under the influence of various factors:
- A decrease in hemoglobin levels develops against the background of bleeding, which is observed, for example, against the background of injuries, as well as after operations or during menstruation.
- The risk factors include internal bleeding, which the patient may not be aware of. The list of possible causes includes hemorrhoids, bleeding gums, various diseases of the digestive tract.
- Anemia can be the result of chronic infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, enterocolitis, and various kidney disorders.
- Iron deficiency anemia sometimes develops against the background of severe forms of intoxication, chemical poisoning.
- The list of causes includes blood diseases.
- Some autoimmune diseases are accompanied by the death of red blood cells, which, accordingly, is accompanied by a drop in hemoglobin levels.
- Anemia is developingagainst the background of helminthic invasions.
- Anemia often develops during pregnancy, since during this period the body of a woman and the fetus needs more nutrients and, in particular, iron.
- Congenital forms of anemia develop against the background of infection of the fetus during intrauterine development with rubella and herpes viruses, as well as with Rh conflict, after birth injuries, or as a result of maternal malnutrition.
Disease forms
As already mentioned, these terms combine a whole group of diseases that are characterized by hypochromia:
- Microcytic hypochromic anemia (aka iron deficiency) develops against the background of iron deficiency. This mineral enters the human body in insufficient quantities, resulting in a gradual decrease in hemoglobin levels. It is worth noting that hypochromic iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia.
- Iron-unsaturated (sideroahrestic) anemia has a completely different mechanism of development. A sufficient amount of iron enters the human body. However, the absorption processes of this substance are disturbed, as a result of which the required amount of hemoglobin is not synthesized.
- Iron-redistributive form of anemia, as a rule, develops against the background of tuberculosis, endocarditis, some severe infectious and inflammatory diseases. Erythrocytes intensively disintegrate, accumulates in iron in the body in the form of ferrites, which subsequently do not participate in the processeshematopoiesis.
- Mixed forms of anemia are also possible.
Which symptoms to look out for?
Any form of the disease, including microcytic hypochromic anemia, is accompanied by very characteristic symptoms. Of course, the clinical picture largely depends on the stage of development of the disease - in the initial stages, the disease can proceed without any symptoms at all:
- Patients usually suffer from constant weakness, frequent dizziness, the appearance of "flies" before the eyes. These symptoms can appear both at rest and after a sudden change in body position.
- The patient's skin often becomes pale. The outer layers become too dry and flaky. Between the fingers, on the feet, in the corners of the lips, painful cracks appear, which heal slowly.
- There are damage and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
- Teeth of patients are much more likely to undergo carious processes.
- It is not uncommon for patients to complain about changes in their perception of tastes and smells.
- Anemia is often associated with lack of appetite and therefore weight loss.
- Digestive disorders are also possible, in particular, nausea, diarrhea or, conversely, constipation.
- The condition of nails and hair is also deteriorating - they become brittle.
- Patients are lethargic, suffer from constant fatigue and drowsiness, their performance is significantly reduced.
- Even minimal physical activity leads to the appearancesevere shortness of breath, which, again, is associated with oxygen starvation of tissues.
- If we are talking about anemia in children, then babies with a similar diagnosis are usually weak, often cry, act up, sleep poorly.
- Severe stages of anemia in children (especially if the disease is congenital) in the absence of therapy can lead to a delay in physical and psycho-emotional development.
Hypochromic anemia: grades
This ailment develops in several stages, each of which has its own course:
- The first degree is characterized by a mild course. Symptoms at this stage are practically absent. A person feels only periodic weakness, sometimes a slight malaise, which is attributed to overwork.
- The second degree (medium) is accompanied by already noticeable violations. Pale covers turn pale, shortness of breath appears, periodically patients complain of dizziness and palpitations.
- The third degree is characterized by a very severe course. Weakness increases, shortness of breath appears even with the slightest physical exertion. Nails begin to delaminate, hair falls out. Patients complain of gustatory and olfactory disturbances, as well as numbness of the extremities. Left untreated, the disease can result in hypoxic coma and even death.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of hypochromic anemia is rarely associated with complications. To begin with, the doctor must collect information for compilinganamnesis. Examination of the skin, mucous membranes, as well as a description of the symptoms present already gives the specialist a reason to suspect hypochromic anemia.
A blood test is required in this case. During a laboratory study, attention is paid to the number of red blood cells and the level of hemoglobin. In men, the level of this protein should not be less than 130 g / l, in women this figure should not be lower than 120 g / l, and in children aged 1 to 6 years, the norm is 110 g / l.
In addition, a stool test for occult blood is performed - this study helps to determine the presence of bleeding in the digestive tract.
If there is a suspicion of ulcers, injuries or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, then a colonoscopy and gastroscopy is additionally performed.
Mandatory is a urinalysis (check for the presence of red blood cells, s alts and white blood cells), as well as ultrasound of the kidneys.
Patients are taken with blood serum to determine the level of iron.
Sometimes bone marrow sampling is indicated (helps to identify abnormalities in the processes of hematopoiesis).
Sometimes an additional chest x-ray is done.
Women are also referred for gynecological examinations, as anemia can develop against the background of diseases or injuries of the reproductive system.
Prognosis and possible complications
Many people face a similar illness. According to statistics, in most cases the disease responds well to drug treatment. However, when it comes to chronichypochromic anemia in a severe stage, the development of hypoxic coma is possible - the condition is associated with severe oxygen starvation of the body.
Dangerous is anemia in pregnant women, as it increases the likelihood of premature birth. Hypochromic anemia is the most dangerous for a child, as it can lead to a delay in the development of the baby.
In adult patients, anemia sometimes leads to severe edema, as well as various disorders in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Sometimes, against the background of the disease, an increase in the liver and spleen is observed.
Treatment of hypochromic anemia
Therapy in this case directly depends on the causes of the pathology that need to be clarified in the diagnostic process.
If bleeding occurs, the blood loss must first be stopped.
In cases where anemia is associated with infectious and inflammatory diseases, appropriate treatment of the primary pathology is carried out first.
With iron deficiency hypochromic anemia, iron preparations are used. Such treatment helps to restore the level of this mineral in the blood and speed up the processes of hemoglobin synthesis. Such means as Hemofer, Fenyuls, Ferrum Lek, M altofer, Sorbifer are considered effective. They are available in the form of tablets, injections, and syrups, which are more convenient to use for the treatment of children. The dose is selected individually. Therapy in most cases lasts about 3 to 4 months.
If there is iron unsaturated oriron redistributive hypochromic anemia, iron preparations have no effect - such therapy only leads to the accumulation of this substance in the body. In such cases, patients are prescribed vitamin supplements, in particular cobalamin and folic acid, since both of these substances are involved in the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells. Of course, you need to understand the causes of iron absorption and the formation of red blood cells - the only way to get rid of the disease.
In the most severe cases, patients are given ready-made red blood cell mass - this is a temporary measure, after which doctors prescribe appropriate drugs to patients.
As evidenced by the reviews of doctors, such therapy in most cases allows you to normalize the body.
Special diet for patients
During therapy, it is extremely important to follow the right diet - this is the key to a quick recovery:
- You need to provide the body with enough iron. This substance is found in large quantities in meat. It is recommended to introduce meat of turkey, rabbit, chicken, beef into the diet. In addition, eggs, buckwheat and oatmeal, porcini mushrooms, legumes, cocoa will be useful.
- The daily menu must contain fresh juices and fruit drinks, fruits (apples are considered especially useful). The fact is that these products are sources of organic acids, in particular, succinic, ascorbic and malic. In turn, acids improve the absorption of iron by the walls.intestines.
- It is also worth including fish, cottage cheese, liver and other foods that contain B vitamins in the diet.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Of course, there are a huge number of home remedies to help manage anemia and improve the functioning of the body.
Decoction/infusion of wild rose is a good remedy for the treatment of hypochromic anemia. It is easy to prepare: you just need to pour a tablespoon of the fruits of the plant with a glass of boiling water and leave for eight hours (preferably in a thermos). Healers recommend drinking this infusion three times a day instead of tea (you can sweeten it with sugar or honey if you wish). By the way, such a remedy is sometimes used to prevent anemia during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Berry juice will also have a good effect. To prepare the medicine, you need to mix equal amounts of fresh strawberry, red mountain ash and black currant juices. Adult patients are advised to take half a glass twice a day. For children, the dose should be halved. This medicine helps to improve the absorption of iron, as well as activate the immune system.
Sometimes strawberry leaves are used. A tablespoon of dry raw materials should be poured into a thermos, pour a glass of boiling water and insist for eight hours (it is better to prepare the medicine at night). Experts recommend drinking the remedy twice a day instead of tea, adding a little milk to it.
It should be understood that the use of any medicine prepared according to traditional medicine prescriptions is possible only with the permission of the attending physician. Attempts to self-medicate with such a disease can only do harm.
Prevention measures
You already know why hypochromic anemia develops and what symptoms it accompanies. Of course, you can always try to prevent the development of the disease. Prevention really comes down to a few recommendations:
- you need to follow the right diet, include foods in the menu that contain enough iron;
- if there is a decrease in hemoglobin levels or a risk of developing a similar pathology, it is worth taking iron supplements (for example, such drugs are prescribed to women during pregnancy, and also if there is heavy discharge during menstruation);
- do not forget about regular preventive examinations and tests for hemoglobin levels.
Of course, when symptoms of hypochromic anemia appear, you need to see a doctor in time - the sooner the appropriate therapy is started, the faster the recovery will occur.
