No man can exist without blood. It performs many functions, nourishes the entire body, its organs with oxygen and important substances. It contains:
- platelets;
- erythrocytes;
- leukocytes.
When a complete blood count is done, the amount of these components, the concentration of hemoglobin, is calculated. Before it is carried out, it is better for a person not to eat food. This diagnosis is able to detect various diseases, changes in the body.
RBCs in smear
Among all existing tests, there is a smear. It is often taken in order to find out about the he alth of the female reproductive system. Then it is processed by an experienced specialist who uses a microscope for this. The doctor can then see the presence of bacteria or other parasites. To pass a smear, you should follow several preparation rules:
- should avoid sexual intercourse for a few days;
- best to do this analysis on the 4th day after menstruation;
- do not use creams or suppositories until then.
The analysis can reveal microcytosis. Erythrocytes should be no more than two cells, otherwise you can think about violations in the body.
The number of these bodies increases when a woman is on her period. Depending on where the analysis is taken, one can judge the appearance of a disease characterized by an excess of these bodies, namely microcytosis of erythrocytes. The reasons that caused such violations are different. For example, when an analysis is taken from the urethra, and an excess of these bodies is observed, this may indicate the presence of stones in the urinary tract, a tumor, traumatic urethritis.
If the tests are taken from the cervical canal, after which an excess of red blood cells was found, then in this case you should be concerned, as inflammation or erosion of the cervix may develop.
What is microcytosis?
In medicine there is a term "microcytosis". What it is? This is the name for an excess of red blood cells in a blood smear, while they are not large (about 5-6.5 microns).
The reasons for this deviation are considered to be the presence of pathologies such as hereditary spherocytosis, iron deficiency anemia with microcytosis, and thalassemia.
If a blood test was done, microcytosis was detected, then you should not hesitate. Congenital diseases could provoke this. Vivid examples are lead poisoning or thalassemia. Moreover, in such cases, erythrocytes have a special appearance, since in the center you can see a more saturated area. Whensickle cell anemia occurs, the bodies take on the shape of a sickle.
RBCs should make up 0.2-1.2% of blood. They constantly appear in the body, as they are produced by the bone marrow. And their low number also indicates that the bone marrow is not functioning normally.
Microcytosis: scientific definition
Specialists talk about microcytosis, what it is, what is the deviation when there are 30-50% of microcytes in the blood. If these bodies are of different sizes, then this phenomenon is called "anisocytosis".
But what happens when microcytosis appears? What it is? It all starts with a mutation in the veins, because of this, membrane proteins are encoded. But they are included in the cytoskeleton of erythrocytes. After that, water can easily penetrate into the microcyte. This leads to the fact that the double concavity disappears, the vessels are poorly supplied with glucose, and the erythrocyte membrane increases fragmentation. This can lead to phagocytosis or lysis.
What is hypochromia?
There is a medical term "hypochromia microcytosis". What it is? This diagnosis can only be heard when a person is being tested in a lab.
After that, a specialist can detect a lack of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which characterizes this disease. In addition, during research, the color and shape of red blood cells are observed. When hypochromia appears, they become lighter in the center, and get noticeably darker closer to the edge.
There are such types of thisdisease:
- iron-rich hypochromia;
- iron deficiency anemia;
- mixed type.
They all lead to the development of microcytosis. What it is has already been mentioned.
Iron deficiency anemia
Through such changes in the blood, iron deficiency anemia, microcytosis may appear. These are changes caused by a lack of iron in the body. It was estimated that about 15-25% of the weak and only 2% of the strong sex of the population suffer from such a problem. This is due to frequent blood loss, and the digestive tract is limited, which is why iron is poorly absorbed.
In the body of a he althy adult, iron should be 4 g. But every day the amount decreases, as it is lost through urine, sweat.
A large amount of this useful and important element is found in meat and liver, so it is recommended to consume these products more often.
Daily iron intake depends on various factors, including: age, individual characteristics, pregnancy.
Causes of iron deficiency anemia
This disease can develop due to chronic blood loss, even if iron is well absorbed. Because of this, this pathology most often affects women. Pregnant women also suffer after childbirth, which is accompanied by a large loss of blood.
Gastrointestinal pathologies, such as gastritis, duodenitis, can affect the appearance of this disease. But the very lack of iron can participatein the development of these diseases.
The main causes of iron deficiency anemia accompanied by microcytosis:
- Chronic blood loss caused by stomach ulcers, tumors, helminthic invasions, hemorrhoids, gastritis, hemangioma, hemoglobinuria and other diseases.
- The body needs more iron, for example, during pregnancy or when a person grows up.
- Iron is poorly absorbed.
You need to watch out for such deviations. In addition to what microcytosis is in the blood, one should also be interested in the presence of iron, which can cause it.
Microcytosis symptoms
As it was revealed, microcytosis can manifest itself under the influence of various factors. Mainly due to these deviations, the following symptoms may appear:
- getting dizzy;
- Feels weak;
- visibly pale face;
- shortness of breath appears;
- heart can beat faster;
- annoying little things.
When such signs appear, it is better not to think for a long time about what disease is manifesting. Most likely, this is iron deficiency anemia or hypochromia microcytosis. What it is and how it affects the body, it is better to ask a doctor. In such situations, immediate diagnosis and proper treatment are required.
Treatment
Can't say for a specific treatment as it depends on what causes the change in red blood cell count.
When this pathology caused bleeding in a person, thenyou have to start fighting it. To do this, there are various conservative methods, and surgery can also help. Sometimes the culprit may be the pathology of the digestive tract, then you need to start treating it. When a woman is pregnant, she is advised to take medicines that contain iron.
Sometimes changes in the blood can be caused by the fact that a person does not lead a very he althy way of life, and the food he eats harms him. For example, a lack of hemoglobin can be replenished by eating meat products.
In any case, a person who has microcytosis is recommended to take drugs that will nourish his body with iron. In some severe cases, it is given intravenously. In addition to this element, the patient needs vitamins and erythrocyte mass.
In any case, you should not try to correct the situation on your own, it is better to consult a doctor. He is able to determine the true cause of microcytosis using laboratory tests, and then decide which treatment in a particular situation will be most effective.
