 |
| The effects of anemia on the body |
The effects of anemia on the body
If anemia is not treated, then it threatens with dangerous complications. Anemia is a common disease that many people do not take seriously. In fact, it is precisely this attitude towards anemia that often causes complications, which in some cases result in death. Therefore, it is so important to be able to recognize the symptoms of the disorder and consult a doctor in order to receive timely treatment.
Content:
- What is the danger of anemia?
- What are the consequences of anemia for the body?
- Anemia in women: what is the danger?
- Causes of Anemia
- Symptoms of Anemia
- Features of the course of anemia in infants and adolescents
- Features of the course of anemia during pregnancy
What is the danger of anemia?
What is the danger of anemia
In human blood, blood cells that are represented by red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells freely move. Each group of elements performs a specific function. With anemia, red blood cells suffer, in which the hemoglobin content decreases. This component not only stains the blood in its characteristic color, but also is responsible for gas exchange in the body. Hemoglobin carries oxygen molecules to organs and tissues, and from them takes carbon dioxide. If the hemoglobin level decreases, then the person develops anemia. Hemoglobin is composed of iron and a protein component. If the body's iron content decreases, then this leads to a drop in hemoglobin levels. Also, with anemia, a decrease in the number of red blood cells themselves is possible, which leads to serious consequences for the body.
Most often diagnosed with anemia in women. In men, this violation is much less common. Although in general, anemia is a very common pathological condition. As statistical analysis shows, one or another degree of anemia is observed in every 4 inhabitants of the planet. At particular risk are pregnant women.
What are the consequences of anemia for the body?
What are the consequences of anemia?
The health effects of anemia can be not only serious, but irreversible, if not treated for this disease. A low level of hemoglobin affects the functioning of the human immune system, which will not be able to protect it from various diseases. People with anemia are more susceptible to a variety of infections.
In order to make up for oxygen deficiency and not deprive organs and tissues of nutrition, the body triggers adaptive mechanisms. They come down to increasing the load on the heart and blood vessels. The heart muscle performs a larger number of contractions, driving through itself impressive volumes of blood. Therefore, ignoring the symptoms of anemia can lead to the development of heart failure.
The body becomes weak, a person gets tired faster, cannot fully fulfill his duties. Unmotivated irritability appears, the psycho-emotional sphere suffers. Moreover, mental processes worsen, attention and memory are weakened.
The taste and smell are also distorted. Anemia negatively affects a person's appearance. The skin becomes dry, ulcers and cracks appear on the mucous membranes, the nails exfoliate, and the hair falls out.
The likely complications of anemia include:
Frequent diseases that develop against the background of a fall in immunity.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system against the background of increased loads on the heart muscle.
In pregnant women, the likelihood of premature birth increases, and the risks of miscarriage also increase. The fetus lacks nutrients and begins to lag behind in development.
If anemia manifests itself in childhood, then for the child’s body it is dangerous to stunted growth and mental development.
The digestive system is exposed to various diseases, vision deteriorates, and problems with the respiratory system may appear.
If the patient develops a hypoxic coma, then this increases the likelihood of his death.
Grade 3 anemia: possible effects on the body
Anemia has 3 degrees of severity. The last and most dangerous to health is grade 3 anemia. In this case, the hemoglobin level decreases below 70 g / l, although normally this figure should remain at around 120-180 g / l. With anemia of the third severity, serious violations occur in the work of all internal organs.
The most dangerous consequences of this condition are:
The development of cardiogenic shock.
The development of acute renal failure.
The development of massive bleeding.
The development of heart failure with further heart attack, stroke and other serious disorders.
The probability of a fatal outcome with anemia of grade 3 is very high. In order to prevent the progression of the disease, it is necessary to seek medical help even at its first symptoms. It is impossible to independently diagnose anemia.
Anemia in women: what is the danger?
Anemia in women
For the female body, anemia can be dangerous with the following complications:
The mucous membranes of the digestive system are covered with ulcers, which leads to malfunctions in their work.
The kidneys and liver are not able to perform their functions in full.
The central nervous system and the cardiovascular system suffer.
The genitourinary system is attacked by various infectious agents, which impairs female reproductive function.
Hair becomes dull, falls out quickly, the shape of the nail plate changes.
Sores often form in the mouth, and the tongue can become inflamed. Women with anemia are more likely to suffer from caries.
The skin is attacked by harmful microorganisms, which affects its condition.
Causes of Anemia
Experts identify three main causes of the development of anemia: bleeding, hemolysis and insufficient production of blood cells in the body. In addition, there are other factors that can lead to anemia:
Genetic abnormalities:
Congenital disorders of red blood cell production.
The wrong structure of red blood cells.
Spherocytosis.
Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome.
Enzymatic anomalies.
Errors in nutrition:
Adherence to strict diets.
Deficiency in dishes of B vitamins, vitamin C, iron and other elements.
Chronic diseases:
The defeat of the urinary system.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Autoimmune pathologies.
Tumors: benign and malignant.
Infectious diseases:
Viral hepatitis.
Malaria.
Cytomegalovirus infection.
Toxoplasmosis.
Bronchitis with obstruction.
Tuberculosis.
In addition, various poisons that enter the body, as well as taking certain medications can provoke anemia. Additional risk factors are injuries: burns, fractures and frostbite.
Symptoms of Anemia
Regardless of the gender of the person and his age, anemia will manifest itself with the following symptoms:
Pale skin and mucous membranes. As anemia progresses, pallor will increase.
Fatigue and weakness.
The occurrence of shortness of breath with moderate physical exertion. In the future, she will be disturbed even at rest.
Feeling of stiffness in the legs, occasionally cramps may appear in them.
The nails exfoliate, the hair begins to fall out strongly.
Jellies appear in the corners of the mouth.
Hands and feet can tremble, muscle weakness intensifies.
Taste and smell are distorted.
Pain occurs in the abdomen.
The skin becomes dry, cracks appear on it.
In women, the duration of menstrual bleeding may be impaired.
If a person is in advanced or mature age, then his anemia will be expressed by the following symptoms:
Frequent dizziness, fainting.
The appearance of tinnitus, headaches.
Trouble sleeping.
Familiar foods can cause disgust.
Decreased appetite leads to severe weight loss.
Perhaps the development of senile dementia.
The likelihood of angina pectoris increases.
In men, potency is severely affected.
If a woman has not yet entered the menopause, then it can begin much earlier precisely against the background of anemia.
In childhood, the symptoms of anemia can be as follows:
The child begins to lag behind in study, his attention and memory decrease.
Lethargy intensifies, he ceases to take an active part in games.
There may be a lag in physical development.
Appearance suffers.
Features of the course of anemia in infants and adolescents
Sometimes anemia develops in newborns. A prerequisite for this is anemia in the mother. This violation is detected immediately after the baby is born. If measures are not taken in time, then anemia will progress, acquiring a severe course. Getting older, the child may be interested in unusual foods, for example, may start chewing paper, gnawing chalk, eating earth.
In adolescence, the load on the heart and blood vessels increases. Heartbeat becomes more frequent, jumps in blood pressure are observed, shortness of breath may appear. Perhaps the development of jaundice. Children with anemia are more susceptible to various infectious diseases.
Features of the course of anemia during pregnancy
Features of the course of anemia during pregnancy
The body of a pregnant woman needs enhanced nutrition. After all, vitamins and minerals are consumed in this period in large volumes, since they go to the life support of both the future mother and the child. Therefore, it is often pregnant women who suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
If anemia in a pregnant woman is at an early stage of her development, then for her correction it will be enough to change the diet. Mild anemia does not affect a child’s health, but a woman’s body will suffer.
With advanced forms of the disease, medicines are needed. Otherwise, the risk of developing fetal pathologies increases.
Moreover, the pregnancy itself will proceed with complications, among which:
Varicose veins of the lower extremities, increased formation of blood clots.
The likelihood of bleeding and miscarriage increases.
The fetus suffers from anemia, which affects its growth, physical and mental development.
Since anemia is a widespread disease, it is necessary to periodically donate blood for analysis. Even if pathological symptoms are completely absent. This will allow time to detect this violation and take the necessary measures to eliminate it.
Post a Comment