Cystic anemia. Anemia - symptoms and treatment
Good day, dear readers!
In this article we will look at anemia and everything connected with it. So…
What is anemia?
Anemia (anemia)– a special condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood.
Anemia is predominantly not a disease, but a group of clinical and hematological syndromes that accompany various pathological conditions and various independent ones. The exception is iron deficiency anemia, which is primarily caused by a lack of iron in the body.
The most common causes of anemia are bleeding, deficiency of vitamins B9, B12, increased hemolysis, and bone marrow aplasia. Based on this, it can be noted that anemia is mainly observed in women with heavy menstruation, in people who adhere to strict diets, as well as people with chronic diseases such as cancer, hemorrhoids, stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Main symptoms of anemia– increased fatigue, dizziness during physical exertion, tachycardia, pallor of the skin and visible mucous membranes.
The essence of the treatment of anemia and its prevention lies mainly in the additional intake of substances missing in the body that are involved in the synthesis of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Development of anemia
Before considering the basic mechanisms of anemia, let's briefly look at some terminology associated with this condition.
Erythrocytes (red blood cells)– small elastic cells circulating in the blood, round but at the same time biconcave in shape, the diameter of which is 7-10 microns. The formation of red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow of the spine, skull and ribs, at a rate of about 2.4 million every second. The main function of red blood cells is gas exchange, which consists of delivering oxygen from the lungs to all other tissues of the body, as well as reverse transport of carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide - CO2).
Hemoglobin- a complex iron-containing protein found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin, combining with oxygen, is delivered by red blood cells through the blood from the lungs to all other tissues, organs, systems, and after the transfer of oxygen, hemoglobin binds to carbon dioxide (CO2), and transports it back to the lungs. Due to the structural features of hemoglobin, a lack of iron in the body directly disrupts the function of normal supply of oxygen to the body, without which a number of pathological conditions develop.
As you probably already guessed, dear readers, gas exchange is possible only due to the simultaneous involvement of red blood cells and hemoglobin in this process.
Below are the normal levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood:
Doctors note the following mechanisms for the development of anemia:
Impaired formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin– develops with a lack of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 in the body, bone marrow diseases, the absence of part of the stomach, an excess of vitamin C, because Ascorbic acid in large doses blocks the effect of vitamin B12.
Loss of red blood cells and hemoglobin– occurs due to acute bleeding during injuries and operations, heavy menstruation in women, chronic bleeding due to certain internal diseases of the digestive system (ulcers and others).
Accelerated destruction of red blood cells, whose normal lifespan is from 100 to 120 days, occurs when red blood cells are exposed to hemolytic poisons, lead, vinegar, certain medications (sulfonamides), as well as certain diseases (hemoglobinopathy, lymphocytic leukemia, cancer, cirrhosis of the liver).
Spread of anemia
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anemia is present in a significant part of the world's population - about 1.8 billion people, most of whom are women, which is due to the characteristics of the female body during the childbearing period.
A particular difficulty with the timely diagnosis and differentiation of anemia is the large number of provoking factors and several mechanisms for the development of anemia.
Anemia - ICD
ICD-10: D50 - D89.
Symptoms of anemia largely depend on the type of anemia, but the main signs are:
- Fatigue, increased drowsiness;
- Decreased mental activity, difficulty concentrating;
- , the appearance of “flies” before the eyes;
- Noise in ears;
- Shortness of breath with little physical activity;
- Attacks, as well as pain in the heart, similar to;
- Presence of functional systolic murmur;
- , visible mucous membranes, nail beds;
- Loss of appetite, decreased sex drive;
- Geophagy – desire to eat chalk;
- Heilosis;
- Irritability.
Next, we consider the specific symptoms of anemia, depending on its type:
Forecast
The prognosis for recovery from anemia is favorable in most cases.
The prognosis is serious for the aplastic form of anemia.
Additional intake of iron, B12 and folic acid is also an excellent preventive method against acute respiratory diseases in children.
Important!
Before using folk remedies for treating anemia, consult your doctor!
Garlic. Pour 300 g of purified alcohol squeezed through a garlic press into 1 liter of alcohol. Place the product in a dark place to infuse for 3 weeks. You need to take this folk remedy for anemia 1 teaspoon, 3 times a day.
Vegetable juice. Mix 100 ml of carrot, beet and black radish juice, pour the mixture into a clay vessel and place it in a slightly preheated oven for 1 hour. You need to drink 2 tbsp of prepared stewed juice. spoons 3 times a day, 20 minutes before meals, for 2-3 months.
Juice. Mix together 200 ml of pomegranate juice, 100 ml of juice from carrots and apples, as well as 70 g of honey. Juices must be freshly squeezed. You need to take 2 tbsp. spoons, 3 times a day, slightly warmed. The mixture must be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Diet. Eating foods rich in iron, vitamins B9 and B12 is also an excellent remedy for the treatment of anemia, of which we can highlight - pistachios, walnuts, seaweed, pomegranate, pears, apples, beets, carrots, tomatoes, herbs, buckwheat and cereal porridge .
Prevention of anemia includes compliance with the following recommendations:
Anemia - video
Many people face various diseases of the blood system. Among them, the most common diagnosis is anemia. Every person should know what types of this insidious disease there are, for what reasons it occurs and how it manifests itself, so as not to trigger the disease, and at the first symptom, contact a qualified specialist for help.
Anemia is a disorder in the human body in which the number of red blood cells and the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases. People are accustomed to calling this disease “anemia,” but this name does not quite coincide with reality. If there is not enough iron in the blood, then the body lacks the substrate that is necessary to create red blood cells.
Iron is one of the components of hemoglobin. Heme is a substrate required by red blood cells to bind and transport oxygen throughout the body. Anemia provokes the formation of hypoxia in peripheral cells and the brain.
Causes
There are a fairly large number of reasons why anemia can develop. This disease occurs on its own very rarely. It mainly occurs due to dysfunction of internal organs, which negatively affects the composition of the blood.
The main causes of the disease include:
- Wrong diet. If a person’s diet includes a small amount or no products such as meat, liver, eggs, sea or river fish, spinach, beans, prunes, beets. Thus, the body does not receive important nutrients and, as a rule, the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases;
- Pregnancy and lactation. This is due to the fact that the child takes all microelements from the mother’s body. Therefore, it is very important to replenish losses by consuming iron-containing foods and special vitamins;
- Loss of blood in large quantities. This happens with various bleedings (hemorrhoids, nasal, uterine, kidney, stomach);
- Chronic diseases. Pyelonephritis, cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia and other diseases that lead to severe depletion of the body, as a result of which the hemoglobin level decreases and anemia forms;
- Poisoning. Anemia can occur if red blood cells are destroyed excessively. Basically, this phenomenon is caused by a hereditary factor, but its appearance can also provoke toxic poisoning. The cause of poisoning may be copper compounds, snake or bee venom, arsenic and lead;
- Gastritis. This disease contributes to a decrease in acidity. Digestion of foods becomes worse, which leads to insufficient supply of microelements to the human body;
- Various diets. In an effort to lose extra pounds, people limit their intake to 1000 calories per day. The body receives a small amount of iron, about 6 mg, and the daily requirement is at least 15 mg;
- Failure to absorb vitamin B12 and iron by the body. This happens due to Crohn's disease, HIV infection, surgical removal of the stomach, and intestinal infection.
The body absorbs iron differently. If you eat foods of animal origin, the absorption of iron will be approximately 10-15%, and when eating foods of plant origin - only 1%.
Types of anemia
Anemia can appear for completely different reasons, so in medicine this disease is divided according to accompanying symptoms, severity and pathogenesis. Let's take a closer look at each type.
The human body contains approximately 4–5 g of iron, more than half of which is contained in the hemoglobin component. The body is designed in such a way that it can store iron in organs such as the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Physiological losses of iron occur daily; it is excreted naturally through urine, feces, sweat, and menstruation. Therefore, a person’s menu must include foods that contain large amounts of iron. 
Iron deficiency anemia occurs due to the fact that there is a small amount of iron in the body. Premature babies, infants in the first months after birth and pregnant women are most susceptible to this phenomenon. In addition, the disease can develop due to chronic blood loss and intestinal absorption disorders.
In these circumstances, a person experiences shortness of breath, headaches, tinnitus, constant fatigue, tachycardia, and drowsiness. and pale, hair and nails become brittle, and a need arises to consume chalk or inhale the smell of wet concrete.
When taking the test, as a result, you can see a reduced number of hemoglobin and red cells, a decrease in volume or an absolute absence of reticulocytes. In addition, the accumulation of serum iron becomes smaller, and red cells - red blood cells - begin to deform.
Aplastic anemia is a blood pathology transmitted to a child from parents, or acquired by a person for one reason or another. It affects bone marrow stem cells, which greatly inhibits hematopoiesis (the process of formation, development and maturation of blood cells). This type of disease is the most severe form of hematopoietic disorder, which requires long-term and serious therapy. Mortality is recorded in 80% of cases.
Comparison of normal bone marrow and changes in it in aplastic anemia under a microscope. 
Fortunately, this form of the disease occurs in only 5 people out of 1,000,000 people, but its insidiousness lies in the fact that, as a rule, children and young people are exposed to it.
Often, this illness is associated with a side effect from treatment with certain medications. Its appearance is not related to either the dosage or the duration of treatment. Such drugs that can disrupt the hematopoiesis of the bone marrow include: antihistamines, sulfonamides, tetracycline antibiotics and gold preparations.
This pathology can be provoked by ionizing radiation, which is used in x-ray studies. Those most at risk are clinic workers who perform X-rays on patients and people treated with radio wave therapy.
In addition, the disease can arise due to toxic substances found in drugs used to treat oncological pathologies. Autoimmune diseases can also be the culprits, because the immune system directs efforts to eliminate both pathogenic agents and its own bone marrow cells.
People experiencing aplastic anemia feel general weakness, unreasonable fatigue, bleeding gums, intense and prolonged menstruation. You may also experience nosebleeds, increased temperature, pale skin, and decreased blood pressure.
Folate deficiency anemia
Folic acid is a vital substance that the body needs for normal functioning. It penetrates into it through the consumption of certain products of plant and animal origin. This acid accumulates in the human body, and if it is less than the required norm, folate deficiency anemia occurs.
Basically, this type of anemia is formed due to various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, since at the time of their exacerbation, beneficial substances are less absorbed by the small intestine. This phenomenon damages the lining of the small intestine and, as a result, the absorption of important substances may completely stop.
The symptoms of the disease are very general, which makes it very difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis, especially if this type of anemia is mild. Patients often experience general weakness, unreasonable fatigue, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness and tinnitus.
If such a disease is detected in a patient, the attending doctor, before starting drug therapy, will necessarily recommend reviewing his menu and making adjustments to it. In particular, add food containing folic acid to it. These include greens, carrots, bran bread, grapefruits, eggs, honey, liver. Very often, after adjusting the diet, it is possible to overcome the disease without taking various medications.
Sickle cell anemia
This pathology occurs when the structure of the hemoglobin protein is disrupted. It is characterized by the acquisition of an unusual crystalline structure - hemoglobin S. Red blood cells that have such a changed substance have a sickle shape, as a result of which this pathology is called sickle cell anemia. 
Red blood cells with hemoglobin S are less stable and perform their transport function much more slowly. This stimulates increased damage to red blood cells, which significantly shortens their life cycle. Hemolysis also increases, and symptoms of chronic hypoxia appear.
This disease is inherited. Patients with heterozygous genetics, in addition to sickle-shaped bodies carrying hemoglobin S, also have normal red blood cells in the blood system, with hemoglobin A. Under such circumstances, the disease is little expressed, passes in a milder form, and often has no symptoms at all. But people with homozygous genetics have exclusively sickle-shaped bodies with hemoglobin S, then the disease is much more severe.
Such anemia is accompanied by jaundice, hemolytic crises due to oxygen deficiency, swelling of the extremities, purulent wounds on the legs, blurred vision, and an enlarged spleen.
Posthemorrhagic anemia
In medicine, this disease is distinguished into two types - acute and chronic. The acute form is formed as a result of intense and massive blood loss, while the chronic form is characterized by blood loss over a long period in small quantities.
Posthemorrhagic anemia is caused by excessive blood loss due to various injuries, surgical procedures, and internal bleeding. In patients experiencing posthemorrhagic anemia, the pulse quickens, body temperature decreases, cold sweat appears, regular dizziness with loss of consciousness occurs, and blood pressure drops.
The severity of the symptoms of the disease is not always related to the amount of blood lost. In some cases, blood pressure may decrease as a response to pain from the injury that caused the bleeding. And also the general condition of the patient directly depends not only on the amount of blood lost, but also on the rate of bleeding.
When a person loses more than 500 ml of blood, his condition is considered serious and dangerous to health. Against the background of large blood loss, vascular insufficiency and oxygen starvation occur, as the body loses a significant number of red blood cells. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, the disease can be fatal.
Diamond-Blackfan anemia
In Diamond-Blackfan anemia, the functioning of the bone marrow is impaired. Its main purpose is to produce new blood cells. This type of disease prevents the brain from producing the required volume of blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. As a result, a deficiency of red cells is formed, which manifests itself in babies during the first months of life.
About 50% of patients with this disease experience physical abnormalities:
- eyes set wide apart;
- drooping eyelids;
- wide, flat bridge of the nose;
- small, low-set ears;
- small lower jaw;
- hole in the sky.
In addition to these abnormalities, they experience visual impairment, abnormal functioning of the kidneys and heart, and dilatation of the urethra in men.
A child born with Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
This syndrome is mainly treated with blood transfusions and corticosteroids. In this case, courses of treatment should be short with systematic breaks, in order to avoid the child becoming accustomed to hormones. Once adolescence ends, the need for corticosteroids disappears and hemoglobin levels return to normal.
In medicine, anemia is distinguished into three stages of severity. To establish it, the patient needs to take a blood test.
Why is anemia dangerous?
If anemia is not detected in a timely manner and measures to eliminate it are not taken, then it can greatly harm a person’s health. Any type of anemia increases the risk of oxygen starvation of internal organs, since they are deprived of a sufficient amount of not only oxygen, but also nutrients.
The most serious complication that anemia can lead to is hypoxic coma, which leads to death in more than half of the cases. In addition, a person with anemia is at risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies and respiratory failure. Women experience irregularities in their menstrual cycle, and children experience inattention, irritability and frequent illness.
Symptoms of anemia
The symptoms of anemia directly depend on the type of disease, stage and causes of the disease. But there are still general symptoms that are characteristic of all types of anemia. You should carefully monitor your condition and immediately make an appointment with a doctor if the following signs are noticed:
- The blush disappeared from the face or became less noticeable. This can occur at the very beginning of the development of the disease;
- Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes;
- The skin became too dry, flabby and peeling appeared. This applies not only to the skin of the hands, which is often attributed to the influence of external factors;
- Cracks began to appear in the corners of the mouth, which did not heal for more than 7 days;
- Towards evening, the legs and face swell after habitual exercise;
- The structure of the nail plate changed, the nails began to break, and;
- The hair became dry, began to break and fall out (we discussed the fact that anemia is one of the causes of severe hair loss in this article);
- Regular attacks of causeless headaches appeared;
- Feeling constant fatigue, general malaise, loss of strength;
- I began to feel dizzy even at rest.
Anemia during pregnancy
A growing child in the mother’s belly is not able to breathe and feed on its own; therefore, it takes all the useful elements required for its development from the female body.
Under normal circumstances, the female body produces a large number of red blood cells. In order for oxygen to bind, it needs an additional supply of iron, which makes up hemoglobin. If a small amount of iron is ingested through the foods consumed, the production of red blood cells slows down significantly, which cannot affect the health of both mother and baby.
The disease often makes itself felt in the second trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the fact that it is during this period that the need for iron increases significantly for the normal development of the fetus. If a woman does not take measures to eliminate anemia, she runs the risk of giving birth ahead of schedule, and during delivery there may be heavy bleeding, since this disease leads to impaired blood clotting.
For a child, this condition is dangerous due to intrauterine growth retardation, because he will not have enough oxygen and useful elements. In addition to all this, this disease greatly affects the well-being of a pregnant woman. Problems may also arise with lactation, since anemia significantly reduces the production of breast milk.
Scientists have found that during pregnancy and lactation, a woman’s body loses about 900 mg of iron. It takes a long time for its reserves to be restored.
Diagnostics
When a patient comes to see a doctor, he first finds out what is bothering the person, how long the symptoms have been manifesting, and what measures have been taken to alleviate the condition. Then, when the anamnesis is completely collected, the patient is sent for a number of additional procedures:
- General blood analysis. This is a mandatory test that is performed at every visit to the doctor. Under such circumstances, it is needed to determine the volume of hemoglobin in the blood system;
- Complete blood test. It is carried out to determine the color indicator, which indicates how much hemoglobin is present in the red blood cell. This study provides insight into how bone marrow functions;
- Blood chemistry. The amount of iron and various fractions of bilirubin is determined from the blood that is donated from a vein.
When a specialist receives the results of all studies, he refutes or confirms the diagnosis, determines its type, degree, cause, and prescribes the necessary treatment.
In the video you can see in more detail how the above studies are carried out.
Treatment of anemia
To achieve the required effect, treatment must include complex therapy. If the disease is in its early stages, then taking medications is not necessary. It is enough to add foods high in iron, proteins and other useful substances to your menu.
The doctor prescribes medications after determining the type of anemia, the stage of its progression and the reasons that led to this disease. First of all, you need to direct all efforts to eliminate the cause, very often after it disappears, the hemoglobin level returns to normal without additional medications.
If the doctor decides that medications are necessary, then drugs are prescribed that stimulate the bone marrow to quickly restore the amount of hemoglobin and the volume of red blood cells in the blood system. These are medications with a high iron content (Fenuls, Totetema, Sorbifer, Actiferrin) and vitamin preparations (vitamin B12, folic acid, B vitamin complexes).
Folk remedies in the fight against anemia
Pharmacies provide a huge variety of medications to combat anemia. But some people prefer traditional medicine. The main rule of such treatment is strict adherence to the recipe and dosage. After 30 days, it is recommended to take a blood test, and if hemoglobin has not yet fully recovered, then continue treatment.
Let's look at the basic recipes of traditional medicine:
- Vegetable cocktail. Carrots, black radishes and beets are washed, peeled, grated on a fine grater and squeezed to extract juice. The resulting liquid is mixed in equal doses, poured into a saucepan and placed in the oven for 3 hours. Take a tablespoon daily for adults and a teaspoon for children.
- Wormwood. An effective remedy in the fight against anemia, but its disadvantage is that it is prohibited for children and pregnant women. To prepare it, take 100 g of wormwood and mix it with 1 liter of vodka. Leave for 3 weeks to infuse, take 5 drops on an empty stomach.
- Medicinal cocktail. To get rid of iron deficiency anemia, take a pomegranate, apple, carrot and lemon, squeeze the juice out of them and mix in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. 70 g of honey is added to the resulting liquid and placed in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Drink 2 spoons three times a day.
- Rose hip. 1 spoon of berries is poured into 250 ml of boiling water and infused for 8 hours. Drink three times a day as tea.
- Berry therapy. Blackcurrant, strawberry and rowan juice are mixed in equal doses. Take 125 ml twice a day.
Before starting such therapy, you should definitely consult with your doctor in order to avoid unpredictable consequences.
Prevention of anemia
Anemia, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than to treat; for this you need:
- eat a healthy and balanced diet, eat foods rich in iron and other beneficial substances;
- promptly treat acute and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- systematically visit medical sanatoriums;
- stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
- get rid of extra pounds;
- avoid harmful working conditions.
By following these simple rules, you can avoid not only anemia, but also many other diseases.
The first thing you need to do if you notice at least one of the above symptoms is to visit a doctor and get the necessary tests. It should be remembered that anemia, like any disease, is much easier and faster to cure at the initial stage of development. Take care of your health.
When the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the blood decreases, a person develops anemia. This condition accompanies many chronic diseases, and the symptoms of the disease appear gradually. The acute form of the disease usually develops with blood loss and has a pronounced clinical picture.
The disease occurs in 10% of people, more often in young women and older people. It is accompanied by weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and disruption of the functioning of internal organs. Treatment for this pathology depends on its cause, so accurate diagnosis is very important.
What is anemia
A disease accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin and red blood cells is called anemia. The definition of what anemia is and a description of this disease were given in ancient times. The severity of the disease depends on the ability of hemoglobin to carry oxygen. Depending on its quantity, 4 degrees of the disease are distinguished:
- light (91 – 100 g/l);
- medium (89 – 70 g/l);
- heavy (69 – 40 g/l);
- very heavy (less than 40 g/l).
Pathology in children occurs with late introduction of complementary foods or insufficient nutrition, as well as due to many other possible reasons. If an infant is diagnosed with this disease, this condition must be corrected, because the lack of oxygen has a bad effect on the baby’s development.
Classification of the disease
The pathogenetic classification of anemia is based on the mechanism of their development. Thus, posthemorrhagic forms (acute and chronic) caused by blood loss are distinguished. There are pathologies caused by impaired formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells (iron deficiency, associated with a lack of B12 and folic acid, and hypoplastic), as well as increased destruction of blood elements (hemolytic).
Definition of morphological variant:
- hypochromic: there is too little hemoglobin in red blood cells, for example, with iron deficiency syndrome;
- normochromic: aplastic, with chronic diseases, etc.;
- hyperchromic: B12- and folate-deficient.
The degree of severity is divided into mild (hemoglobin more than 90 g/l), moderate (70 - 90 g/l) and severe (less than 70 g/l).
Blood pathology in newborns is more often physiological or occurs due to Rh conflict.
Iron-deficiency anemia
The most common form of hemoglobin deficiency is iron deficiency anemia. Its occurrence is associated with iron deficiency in the body. This trace element is part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Many people have signs of IDA, but they do not know about their disease for many years.
The causes of the disease in young women are heavy menstruation or multiple pregnancies, as well as uterine fibroids. Symptoms of the disease appear in people with chronic intestinal diseases, adherents of various diets, as well as in vegetarians with an unbalanced diet. In children, the disease is often associated with iron deficiency during rapid growth.
If a disease is detected, it is necessary to change your diet and start taking iron supplements. The diet for iron deficiency includes red meat, nuts, dried fruits, leafy greens, and vitamin C, which is found, for example, in citrus fruits.
Treatment of this pathology involves eliminating its cause and taking iron supplements in the form of tablets. Injections are prescribed less frequently, since iron is better absorbed through the digestive organs.
Hemolytic anemia
The term "Anaemia" translated means "lack of blood, or anemia." Hemolytic anemia is associated with the destruction of the blood cells themselves. This disease has two main forms. The autoimmune hemolytic form occurs when the spleen engulfs and destroys normal red blood cells. This is caused by a disease of the immune system when the body's own cells are perceived as foreign. As a result of an autoimmune reaction, red blood cells are destroyed.
This pathology can be acquired as a result of infections, tumors, or side effects of medications.
In sickle cell form, the bone marrow produces initially defective red blood cells, which are quickly destroyed. As a result of the disease, the amount of hemoglobin in the blood decreases.
In fetuses and infants, pathology occurs during pregnancy, during which an Rh conflict occurs - contact between the Rh-negative blood of the mother and the Rh-positive blood of the fetus. In children, the cause of the hemolytic form of the disease is a viral infection.
Clinical characteristics: pallor, weakness, fever, dizziness. Descriptions of signs of the disease include darkening of the urine, yellowing of the skin and sclera, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and changes in blood tests. Treatment includes blood transfusions, corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, and surgery.
Aplastic anemia
What is aplastic anemia? This is a rare blood disease in which the bone marrow stops producing blood cells. Pathology often occurs suddenly. It is often severe and can lead to poor outcomes if left untreated.
Characteristic signs accompanying the development of the aplastic form of the disease are pallor, weakness, bleeding and hemorrhages, and frequent infectious diseases. One of the causes of the disease is panmyelophthisis, that is, the replacement of bone marrow with fatty and connective tissue. It occurs under the influence of toxins, but is often idiopathic, that is, its cause cannot be found.
Hypochromic anemia
Hypochromia is a decrease in hemoglobin content in red blood cells. The disease is often accompanied by a decrease in the total number of red blood cells. Hypochromic anemia is most often a type of iron deficiency or caused by thalassemia. However, its causes may also include:
- vitamin B6 deficiency;
- infections;
- lead or drug poisoning;
- bleeding from a stomach ulcer or hemorrhoids;
- pregnancy;
- congenital disorders.
The disease in adults and children has similar symptoms: weakness, pallor, palpitations, shortness of breath, headache, depression, desire to eat inedible objects (chalk, paper, paints). A severe degree is accompanied by oxygen starvation of the body and degeneration of internal organs and the brain.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of blood tests, which reveal a decrease in CP of less than 0.8. What is CPU (color index)? This is the average hemoglobin content in a red blood cell. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease.
Sickle cell anemia
What is sickle cell disease, or sickle form of the disease: it is an inherited hematological disease. Its pathogenesis is associated with a violation of the shape of red blood cells: they take on a crescent shape, lose elasticity and stick together. Getting into the capillaries, they cause the formation of microthrombi.
Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive condition. It appears in a child of two parents who either have this form or are carriers of the pathological gene. The etiology (cause) of genetic changes is unknown. Prevention – genetic consultation, fetal and newborn screening. Treatment is a bone marrow transplant, most effective in adolescents.
Pernicious anemia
B12 deficiency is an autoimmune disease caused by a lack of this vitamin in the body. Pernicious anemia was previously considered a malignant disorder, but is now highly treatable. This chronic pathology is caused by a decrease in the concentration of intrinsic factor necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach. In addition, it is caused by a lack of vitamin in food or an increased need for it, for example, during pregnancy. A typical sign of the disease, determined by a blood test, is very large red blood cells (macrocytosis).
Causes
Anemia is a condition with a reduced content of blood cells and hemoglobin. All types of disease are associated with three pathological processes:
- blood loss;
- decreased red blood cell production;
- excessive destruction of red blood cells.
The causes of the disease vary depending on its mechanism.
Types associated with blood loss:
- after bleeding or surgery;
- for hemophilia;
- for chronic bleeding (stomach ulcer, intestinal cancer, hemorrhoids, uterine fibroids and others).
Lack of red blood cell synthesis appears in the following conditions:
- aplastic form of the disease;
- effects of viruses, drugs or toxins;
- neonatal period;
- iron deficiency.
Lesions caused by excessive breakdown of red blood cells:
Therapy includes drug treatment appropriate to the mechanism of the disease, and, if necessary, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants. It is important to choose the right diet for anemia, which should provide the necessary nutrients.
Signs
A general blood test in case of illness reveals a lack of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. This indicates a poor supply of oxygen to tissues. Pathology can cause symptoms common to the entire group of diseases, as well as symptoms specific to each form. It worsens the course of any other diseases.
Mild degrees may not cause clinical signs. The chronic form of any degree can be asymptomatic, as the body adapts to a constant lack of oxygen. Signs of anemia in women are less pronounced than in men, since they are better adapted to regular blood loss.
General signs:
- fatigue, weakness;
- dyspnea;
- dizziness;
- rapid heartbeat;
- pallor of the skin and mucous membranes.
The main signs of the acute form, for example, with bleeding:
- pressing or squeezing pain behind the sternum;
- dizziness and fainting;
- rapid pulse;
- cold clammy sweat.
For each form of the disease there are specific signs that will affect the doctor’s diagnosis process. However, it is often possible to recognize individual variants of the disease only after additional diagnostics.
Diagnostics
Doctors can easily detect signs of pathology by performing simple blood tests. They determine a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin and/or red blood cells. The severity of the disease is determined by the severity of this decrease.
The consequences of the disease can be very severe, especially in children. They lag behind in growth and development. In adults, in the chronic form, dystrophy of internal organs develops.
Accurate diagnosis of anemia is carried out on the basis of special laboratory tests. For each type of disease, characteristic diagnostically important syndromes appear (microcytic hypochromic pathology, hemolysis, pancytopenia, and others).
An important role is played by identifying hereditary factors and external examination of the patient. The doctor finds out the rate of development of the disease, chronic diseases, medication use, changes in the color of stool or urine, and signs of alcoholism. During examination, he pays attention to the color of the skin and mucous membranes, the size of the liver and spleen, and heart murmurs. Since pathology is often only a manifestation of another disease, the patient may be prescribed FGDS, colonoscopy and other research methods.
Basic laboratory tests:
- blood test to determine the level of red blood cells, hemoglobin, CP, platelets, leukocytes, hematocrit and reticulocytes;
- stool blood test;
- peripheral blood smear to evaluate the appearance of red blood cells;
- level of serum iron, transferrin, ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B12;
- bilirubin level to assess the intensity of hemolysis;
- liver and kidney function indicators;
- bone marrow biopsy to assess the effectiveness of hematopoiesis.
Symptoms
The main signs of anemia develop with severe severity of the disease and often depend on the form of the disease.
The main symptoms of anemia are listed in the “Signs of the disease” section. In addition, biochemical varieties of the disease may be accompanied by the following manifestations:
- changes in stool color, including black or tarry stools, which indicates gastrointestinal bleeding;
- rapid pulse;
- low blood pressure;
- shortness of breath associated with a lack of oxygen in the blood;
- pale, cold, or jaundiced skin;
- heart murmurs;
- enlarged spleen.
In children, the disease is accompanied by irritability, poor appetite and growth, sudden rises in temperature, and a tendency to infectious diseases. Symptoms of the disease in women, in addition to the above, include loss of shine, brittle and dry hair, brittle nails, and perversion of taste.
If you suspect anemia, you should consult a doctor. In most cases, the disease is successfully treated and health is fully restored.
Treatment
Anemia is treated differently depending on the cause and severity. If the disease is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms, the doctor first determines the factors that caused its development. Most often, the disease is associated with iron deficiency. Once the cause of the “iron” form is found, it is eliminated. Iron supplements for the disease are effective only for this form of pathology. It is better to take them in tablet form.
If problems are associated with acute bleeding, the patient should be immediately hospitalized and given blood products while eliminating the cause of blood loss (for example, an acute gastric ulcer). Blood transfusions may also be needed for other forms, such as those caused by the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer.
The main drugs in the treatment of the disease:
- medications containing iron - they should be taken during pregnancy and with microcytic iron deficiency;
- folate deficiency form of the disease is treated with folic acid-based products;
- for moderate to severe hyperchromic B12 deficiency, regular injections of this vitamin are indicated;
- erythropoietin is a drug prescribed for chronic renal failure syndrome.
How to treat anemia if it is caused by a genetic disorder, such as sickle cell? It is necessary to follow a diet high in vitamins and folic acid. Specific drugs are not prescribed. In children, bone marrow transplantation is indicated.
With the macrocytic hemolytic form of the disease, it is often necessary to remove the spleen, in which excessive destruction of red blood cells occurs.
A common and effective treatment for the aplastic form of the disease is bone marrow transplantation.
Symptoms and treatment of the pathology vary depending on its causes. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to consult a hematologist.
In adults, it is necessary to exclude the effects of alcohol and occupational toxic factors. If necessary, surgical treatment of stomach ulcers, uterine fibroids and other diseases that cause this disease is carried out.
Treatment at home includes nutritional features:
- soups with meat and fish broth, seafood, liver, cheese, fermented milk products, plant foods, pasta, bread, legumes are allowed;
- fats, sweets, mayonnaise and ketchup, lard and butter, canned food, smoked foods, alcohol, chocolate are limited.
Meals should be nutritious and regular. It corresponds to dietary table No. 11.
Some folk methods for treating anemia: taking natural honey with radish juice, aloe juice, rosehip decoction and others. These remedies are only auxiliary in nature; they cannot cure the disease.
Prevention of disease
To prevent the development of the disease in infants, breastfeeding is recommended for at least 4 months after birth. If the infant is bottle-fed, it is necessary to ensure that the formula contains enough iron. Prevention of anemia in children consists of a nutritious diet rich in animal proteins and vitamins.
All girls and women before menopause are advised to undergo regular medical examinations and blood tests, especially if there is heavy menstrual bleeding. Iron and folic acid deficiency can occur during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women are prescribed special vitamins.
The primary acute form of the disease is often associated with bleeding from peptic ulcer disease. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor your health and prevent the serious consequences of chronic diseases.
The origin of some pathologies is associated with household and industrial intoxications. At the same time, the body constantly experiences a lack of oxygen, which causes irreversible degenerative changes in the internal organs. Alcohol abuse should be avoided. If necessary, diet and medications are prescribed. If you follow your doctor's recommendations, the prognosis for most types of anemia is favorable.
Video about anemia
Blood tests play a major role in making a diagnosis. Laboratory tests help determine the type and nature of anemia and its severity. Even in the absence of other symptoms associated with anemia, the result of a blood test will show an abnormality.Examinations prescribed for suspected anemia
Laboratory examinations are carried out to give an accurate conclusion, identify the type of anemia, and provide adequate therapy. Tests prescribed:- general (clinical) blood test;
- biochemical analysis.
The main indicator of anemia is reduced hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen through the bloodstream, or a decrease in the number of red blood cells themselves.
The results of laboratory examinations provide a clear picture of these basic values.
A general blood test to diagnose anemia is taken from a finger prick. It is advisable to carry out the procedure in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Examining the UAC data, the following is established:
- total number of red blood cells in the blood;
- the ratio of the volume and diameter of red blood cells, their compliance with the norm;
- number of reticulocytes (precursor cells);
- hemoglobin level in red blood cells (color indicator);
- ratio of types of leukocytes, platelets;
- determination of hematocrit number.
A biochemical study is carried out if a reduced hemoglobin value is detected on the hemogram. Use it to install:
- quantitative value of iron in serum;
- transferrin level;
- serum binding capacity;
- the amount of ferritin.
Blood for biochemical research is taken from a vein.
Main blood test indicators and their values indicating anemia
At the initial stage, to determine the presence of any anemia, the main indicators of the blood test are compared with reference values. The main values of the studied quantities are presented in the table:Hemoglobin level
This is the main coloring substance that is part of red blood cells, which is responsible for the transfer of oxygen. A reduced hemoglobin component indicates the presence of anemia of various etiologies.Based on the indicators of quantitative deviation of hemoglobin from the reference values, the nature of anemia is identified according to the degree of intensity:
- light – hemoglobin content from 110-90 g/l;
- average – from 90-70 g/l;
- heavy – less than 70 g/l.
Red anucleate blood cells that are disc-shaped. Due to their biconvex shape, red blood cells can deform to accommodate narrow capillaries. Red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to all tissues and take away carbon dioxide. Low levels of these cells characterize any type of anemia.
Reticulocytes
These cells are an immature form of red blood cells. They are detected in the bone marrow and are found in some quantities in the peripheral blood. An increase in the proportion of reticulocytes indicates the destruction of red blood cells, which indicates the progression of anemia. The calculation is carried out as a percentage of all red blood cells. The value of reticulocytes helps to assess the severity of the disease.Color index
This indicator is needed to determine the degree of hemoglobin saturation of blood cells (erythrocytes). If it is below normal, this may indicate the presence of anemia. Based on the CPU value, they are distinguished:- hypochromic anemia (less than 0.8);
- normochromic anemia (0.8-1.05);
- hyperchromic anemia (over 1.05).
For a more accurate diagnosis of types of anemia, other nonspecific blood test indicators are determined.
Red blood cell indices
MCV– average volume of erythrocyte. The identified values indicate the presence of such anemia:MCH– hemoglobin level in one red blood cell, on average. This value reflects the synthesis of hemoglobin in blood cells. It is similar to the color indicator. The normal ranges are:
- women - from 27-34 ng;
- men – 27-35 ng;
- children (10-18 years old) – 26-34 ng.
The decrease in volume (microcytosis) is due to the hypochromic type found in. An excess of the average hemoglobin level in a red blood cell indicates the presence of megablastic and hypoplastic anemia.
MCHC– the average degree of saturation of hemoglobin in one erythrocyte cell (concentration). The value of this indicator may indicate:
- for iron deficiency if the level is below normal (less than 29 g/dL);
- for microspherocytic anemia if the value is elevated (more than 37 g/dL).
Tests for transferrin and ferritin
For a more accurate diagnosis of anemia, especially if iron deficiency is suspected, a biochemical blood test is often performed, which determines important characteristics:Level of iron protein (ferritin) in the blood
The main role of this protein complex is to store and release iron for cells. By measuring the level of this protein, you can indirectly measure the amount of iron that is stored in the body. The normal ferritin content is 20 – 250 µg/l (men), 10 – 120 µg/l (women). Low levels indicate iron deficiency anemia.The purpose of this protein is to transport iron to the right place. Violation of transferrin levels leads to a lack of the element. The amount of incoming iron may be sufficient. This indicator reveals the activity of serum to bind iron. Normal protein level is 2.0-4.0 g/l. An increase in the amount may indicate iron deficiency anemia. A reduced level is characteristic of aplastic and hypoplastic anemia.
An analysis for the determination of serum iron (transferrin) most fully reflects the real state of iron metabolism.
Testing for transferrin requires special equipment and certain tests, which are not always available.
In certain cases, the iron-binding ability of serum is determined, which shows the ability of blood to bind iron. When diagnosing anemia, the latent value of the iron-binding indicator is determined. The norm is 20-63 µmol/l.
Additional tests if anemia is suspected
After conducting a general analysis and identifying the rate of iron metabolism, other examinations may be prescribed:- tests for inflammatory markers if symptoms of autoimmune or rheumatic diseases are detected;
- establishing the level of folites and vitamin B12.
Biochemical blood tests should be carried out before the start of treatment with iron preparations, so that the indicators reflect the real condition.
The types of research carried out help to identify the etiology of the most common types of anemia.
In some cases, additional examinations and blood tests may be prescribed to more accurately diagnose anemia:
- blood smear microscopy;
- Ultrasound of internal organs;
- bone marrow puncture (myelogram);
- examination of the intestines and stomach (endoscopy);
- Analysis of urine;
- electrocardiogram.
To establish a specific type of disease, it is assumed to identify characteristic indicators:
- the amount of folic acid that is found in red blood cells: if indicated, a bone marrow biopsy is performed (suspicion of folate deficiency anemia);
- quantitative value of vitamin B12: if the vitamin level is not determined, an aspiration biopsy is prescribed (suspicion of);
- indicator of the level of bilirubin in urine and serum: the persistence of red blood cells is determined, a Coombs test is performed (the presence of hemolytic anemia).
When determining anemia caused by chronic diseases, along with determining standard laboratory parameters, the ferritin content is determined along with the level of C-reactive protein. This element indicates the stage of inflammation.
It is necessary to undergo a laboratory examination if anemia is suspected. Blood test data will help establish an accurate diagnosis, determine the type and stage of the disease. This will make it possible to select the necessary treatment that will be effective.
Anemia (or, in simple terms, anemia) is a decrease in the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (erythrocytes) or a decrease in the amount of the key oxygen-carrying protein (hemoglobin) below a certain value. Normal hemoglobin and red blood cell levels vary among patient groups and are related to age and gender. In men, hemoglobin is higher, in women it is usually lower. The same applies to the number of red blood cells.
Symptoms of anemia
Symptoms of anemia are very similar for all its varieties, but depend on the severity. If the amount of hemoglobin or red blood cells that carry oxygen in the body decreases, serious problems arise with the delivery of oxygen to organs and tissues. Without oxygen, it is impossible to produce energy from food components. Therefore, people with anemia develop severe weakness and a sharp decrease in exercise tolerance. They feel weak, lacking vitality and energy. This kind of sensation often appears already when hemoglobin decreases to a level below 10 g/dl. When hemoglobin falls below 7–8 g/dL, people become very weak.
The critical value for hemoglobin level is 6 g/dl. People who have anemia with hemoglobin levels below 6 g/dL require blood transfusions. A drop in hemoglobin below 5 g/dL suggests the need for emergency blood transfusion. In addition to weakness, such patients also experience more severe symptoms. They experience shortness of breath because the person tries to breathe more quickly to compensate for the lack of oxygen being carried through lung function. Tachycardia also occurs, that is, the heart begins to beat faster in order to pump more blood through the vessels per minute. In addition, when hemoglobin drops below 9 g/dL, paleness of the skin, lips and sclera is usually observed. Therefore, the diagnosis of anemia is often made based on clinical signs. An experienced doctor, seeing the patient’s pallor, may suspect a decrease in hemoglobin or red blood cell levels.
// hemoglobin
Causes of anemia
Historically, at the beginning of the 21st century, the types of anemia associated with the destruction of red blood cells were the first to be described. This destruction of red blood cells is called hemolysis. Hemolysis can sometimes even be seen in vitro. If the blood is collected incorrectly, the red blood cells burst, hemoglobin spills into the tube and spreads throughout the plasma. The same thing can happen inside blood vessels. Red blood cells can be destroyed for a variety of reasons - from genetic defects to prolonged running on a hard substrate (marching anemia) and taking various medications.
There are a lot of genetic polymorphisms that lead either to incorrect hemoglobin synthesis or to the appearance of altered enzymatic systems inside the red blood cell, which, when taking certain medications, contribute to the destruction of red blood cells. In particular, this is a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Another type of hemolytic anemia is sickle cell anemia. People who have heterozygous sickle cell disease are more resistant to Plasmodium falciparum. Heterozygotes for sickle cell anemia genes have a greater chance of surviving in Africa in conditions where there is a significant risk of infection with malarial plasmodium (it is more difficult for it to infect their altered red blood cells). But if both parents had heterozygous forms of sickle cell disease, the offspring are at risk of developing a homozygous form of the disease, and this will be very severe anemia.
The destruction of red blood cells with the occurrence of hemolytic anemia in newborns is associated with Rh conflict between mother and child. In this case, characteristic jaundice is observed, associated with the accumulation of hemoglobin breakdown products in the skin.
The most common cause of anemia is a lack of iron in the body. Iron is part of hemoglobin, an oxygen carrier. If the body receives little iron, a lack of hemoglobin appears. Iron deficiency occurs due to poor diet, lack of iron intake and problems with its absorption. Many patients with severe illness have decreased iron absorption, even if they get enough from food.
Bleeding is also one of the common causes of anemia. That is, it is logical that blood loss, including bleeding from the stomach or intestines, will lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Minor but chronic blood loss can lead to iron deficiency. In particular, women who constantly experience excessive physiological blood loss often experience mild iron deficiency anemia. Another cause of anemia is problems with the intake of vitamins necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. These problems may be caused by a lack of vitamins B12 and folic acid in the diet. In particular, B12 deficiency can occur in strict vegetarians (vegans) and people who suffer from stomach diseases.
In order for vitamin B12 to be absorbed into the body, Castle factor must be supplied from the gastric mucosa. Therefore, patients with gastritis can often experience B12 deficiency anemia, because the absorption factor is not synthesized in sufficient quantities and vitamin B12 is not absorbed even with sufficient intake from food. Another factor is folic acid. Its deficiency is observed in patients with certain genetic defects and in those who abuse alcohol. A large group of causes of anemia is associated with a decrease in the number of red blood cells, which is explained by kidney problems and various severe chronic diseases. This is due to the regulation of the number of red blood cells. In response to a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood, a special factor, HIF-1, is activated. After this, the kidneys give a signal to increase the number of red blood cells by synthesizing the hormone erythropoietin in the blood. This is the same hormone that athletes can use to try to improve their athletic performance. Normally, it is synthesized by the kidneys when the amount of oxygen decreases in order to naturally increase the number of red blood cells. If the amount of erythropoietin decreases in kidney disease and various chronic diseases, the number of red blood cells also decreases.
Types of Anemia
Anemia is divided into different groups according to the volume of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin inside the red blood cell and how the hematopoietic lineage reacts to anemia. The correct reaction of hematopoietic growth in the presence of anemia is to strengthen and accelerate the formation of red blood cells. For example, with blood loss, the number of reticulocytes, immature forms of red blood cells, increases. These types of anemia are called hyperregenerative (from the word “regeneration”). And with a decrease in the amount of erythropoietin, hyporegenerative types of anemia develop.
The volume of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin inside it depend on the amount of iron and vitamin B12 in the body. Based on the volume of red blood cells, anemias are divided into microcytic, macrocytic and normocytic. In the case of macrocytic types of anemia, the volume of erythrocytes increases, with microcytic types of anemia it decreases, and in normocytic types of anemia the number of erythrocytes decreases, but their volume does not change. The same thing happens with regard to the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin. Each red blood cell may contain a different amount of hemoglobin. When the amount of hemoglobin in the erythrocyte decreases, the color index decreases, therefore anemia with a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin is called hypochromic. Some anemias occur with an increase in the amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell with a decrease in the total number of red blood cells, and such anemias are called hyperchromic. And there are anemias in which the amount of hemoglobin in an individual red blood cell does not change. They are called normochromic.
Iron deficiency anemia is usually microcytic and hypochromic. Because with iron deficiency, both the volume of the red blood cell and the hemoglobin content inside the red blood cell decreases. Anemia associated with B12 and folic acid deficiency is usually macrocytic. That is, with these anemias, the number of red blood cells decreases, but the volume of each red blood cell increases, because with B12 deficiency, the key difficulty is the formation of new red blood cells, while their volume increases as an adaptive response of the body.
The most “difficult” types of anemia in diagnostic terms are normochromic and normocytic types, in which the number of red blood cells is reduced, but the volume of red blood cells is not changed, and the amount of hemoglobin inside the red blood cell remains normal. Such anemias are associated with severe chronic diseases, with kidney diseases, when the kidneys do not synthesize a sufficient amount of erythropoietin. Such anemias are observed in cancer because the tumor can produce substances that reduce the formation of red blood cells. It turns out that with normal amounts of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron, anemia still develops. At the same time, she is normocytic (with a normal volume of red blood cells) and normochromic (with a normal amount of hemoglobin inside the red blood cell).
Treatment of anemia
Treatment for anemia depends on what is causing the anemia. If this is iron deficiency anemia, then it is necessary to introduce additional amounts of iron into the body. Often, taking iron compounds orally (in tablets) is not effective enough, including due to insufficient absorption, so intravenous administration of iron compounds is necessary. If anemia is associated with bleeding, the source of the bleeding must be found and stopped. In case of macrocytic anemia and low levels of vitamin B12, it is necessary to examine the stomach, but it is important not to rush to administer vitamin B12 before consulting a hematologist. In most cases, a more in-depth examination with trepanobiopsy is necessary to study the structure of the bone marrow. This allows you to exclude various dangerous blood diseases. If the problem is in the stomach, then you need to improve its function and simultaneously introduce vitamin B12 and folic acid if there is a deficiency. Severe anemia, particularly in cancer patients, is also treated with iron, iron supplements, and erythropoietin can also be used. In some cases, it is necessary to administer erythropoietin, iron, and vitamin B12.
// Image: Chemical structure of vitamin B-12 / wikipedia.org
Only if hemoglobin begins to fall below 6 g/dl is it advisable to transfuse donor red blood cells to achieve an acceptable hemoglobin level. But the modern strategy for treating anemia suggests that if this is not an acute condition, in particular not blood loss, then you need to try as much as possible to correct blood counts by intravenous administration of iron, B12 and erythropoietin, but without resorting to red blood cell transfusions for as long as possible , because it is potentially a significantly more dangerous procedure.
In practice, increasing the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in patients who have suffered from anemia for a long time, regardless of its cause, often leads to a dramatic improvement in well-being. Even severe patients with stage IV cancer can feel an increase in vitality and a decrease in the degree of weakness and shortness of breath when anemia is corrected.
Current research in the field of anemia
Recently, the range of markers has greatly expanded, and tests have become easier and faster, which make it possible to identify the causes of anemia. Laboratory diagnosis of anemia has been simplified. Modern research is mainly devoted to making effective drugs to treat anemia. In particular, an iron compound with carboxymaltose has recently been developed. The administration of high doses of iron is associated with severe irritation of the inner lining of the vein, and new drugs can minimize the risk of damage to the vein and small vessels when injecting large amounts of iron. Erythropoietin is also being improved, and more stable drugs are appearing that are suitable for longer administration. And of course, development is underway to synthesize blood substitutes that do not contain human red blood cells.
In Soviet times, scientists worked on the drug "Perftoran" to be able to use a blood-transferring blood substitute in military situations when human blood was not available. You could say that artificial blood was created. Its advantages are clear. Human blood has strict storage and defrosting conditions, and there is a problem of incompatibility between the blood of the donor and the recipient. If such a blood substitute is developed, it will significantly simplify the treatment of patients with severe anemia, as well as with bleeding that develops away from places where prepared blood is available.