Pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency)
Disease information
Pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency)
Pernicious anemia
(
vitamin B12 deficiency
)
The lack of
red
blood cells caused by the
deficiency
in
vitamin
B12
.
Lack of
vitamin
B12
also affects other tissues with high rates of turnover.
Sex.
Mainly affects adults between 50 and 60 years of age.
Rare in
children
.
Forecast.
At present, the
disease
is incurable.
However, regular consumption of
vitamin
B - 12 will control the symptoms indefinitely and correct complications.
Once started treatment, the symptoms may disappear in 6 months.
Causes.
Absence of intrinsic factor,
a
chemical secreted by the mucous membrane of the
stomach
, which facilitates the absorption of
vitamin
B - 12.
It is not known why the absence of intrinsic factor, although it may be due to
genetic
deficiency
or an autoimmune
disease
.
Reduced production of hydrochloric acid, especially after an operation for
stomach
or combined with the lack of intrinsic factor (hydrochloric acid is also necessary for the absorption of
vitamin
B - 12)
Signs and symptoms.
Weakness, especially in the arms and legs.
Scots
language
.
Nausea, loss of appetite and
weight
.
Bleeding
gums.
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Difficulty in retaining the balance.
Lips,
tongue
and pale gums.
Yellowish eyes and skin.
Breathing difficult.
Depression
.
Confusion and
dementia
.
Headaches
.
Memory leaks.
Risk Factors.
An inadequate diet, especially vegetarians without supplements of
vitamin
B12
.
Disorder
of the
thyroid
.
After
stomach
operation,
stomach
cancer
or
gastritis
.
Bulimia
and
anorexia
nervosa
.
Family
history of
pernicious
anemia
.
Genetic
factors. This
disease
is
common
in northern Europe and rare in the black and Asian races.
Prevention.
If it
has
been operated on the
stomach
or if you suffer from
gastritis
, should inject
vitamin
B - 12 regularly.
Diagnosis and Treatment.
DIAGNOSIS:
History and physical examination by
a
doctor
.
Analysis of blood.
Specific
studies, such as determining the concentration of
Vitamin
B12
in the blood or the Test of Schilling with
vitamin
B - 12 radioactive.
Analysis of the bone marrow.
TREATMENT:
General measures.
Avoid very hot water and hot compresses.
His
nervous
system
would be incapable of detecting dangerously high temperatures.
Medication.
Your
doctor
will prescribe injections of
vitamin
B - 12. The power and frequency of these
depend
on the significance of the
disease
.
The usual dose is one injection daily for 7 days after an injection weekly for one month and one injection per month for the rest of his life.
Learn how to inject
vitamin
B - 12, as the oral supplements are not enough.
Treatment is
essential
for life because, even with treatment, its absorption capacity of the vitaminaB - 12 is not
normal
.
Activity
.
Without restrictions.
Diet.
Nothing special.
It
was
no longer recommend the meat or the
liver
raw.
The
iron
supplements may be needed.
Advise your
doctor
if.
The symptoms do not improve within 2 weeks of treatment.
Complications.
Congestive heart
failure
.
Double vision.
Increased susceptibility to
infections
.
Male
impotence
.
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