Sign – Symptoms and Prevention of Pernicious Anemia
There are several blood diseases that are known for affecting human health can also ruin nerves and other organs if it persists for long time and can develop stomach cancer is pernicious anemia. It is a disease where large, immature, nucleated cells mobilize in the blood, and do not function as blood cells. This disease is caused by deficiency of vitamin B-12 and lack of intrinsic factor (IF) in the gastric mucosa. Anemia is caused due disruptions in the generation of red blood cells or hemoglobin as well due to enhanced spoiling of red blood cells or loss of blood.
This blood diseases is mainly due to an unfitness to absorb vitamin B-12 from the gastrointestinal tract. Our source of vitamin B-12 is animal products; both meat and dairy products provide us dietary sources of vitamin B-12. The body can save vitamin B-12 for a long time, so lack of dietary consumption need to continue for years before a true deficiency of vitamin B-12 is reached. This is the reason that pernicious anemia symptoms do not appear for years. While this type of anemia is most commonly determined in adults with an average age of 60 and a rare congenital type of pernicious anemia has been described.
Pernicious anemia symptoms
As with other causes of anemia, symptoms associated to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and also include tiredness and shortness of breath. Vitamin B-12 deficiency also lends hindrance with the function of the nervous system and symptoms due to nervous system damages.
Pernicious anemia symptoms are as follows:
- Feeling tired and weak
- Tingling and numbness in hands and feet
- A bright red, smooth tongue
Prevention of pernicious anemia
The anemia caused due to autoimmune process cannot be prevented. Vitamin B-12 deficiency mainly due to gastrointestinal diseases and gastrointestinal surgery can be treated to the certain extent. Vitamin B-12 is extracted mainly from animal sources, which are meat, fish, poultry and milk. Deficiency of this vitamin in vegetarians can be removed by the use of oral vitamin B-12 supplements. An oral dose of 100-200 micrograms (mcg) taken weekly is sufficient.
Pregnant and nursing women being vegetarians or vegan must consume B-12 supplement and must inform their doctors they are vegetarians or vegans. Besides, one can get rid of this blood disease by consuming foods that are high in vitamin B12 and folic acid, thus helping in prevention of vitamin B12 deficiency, which is caused by a poor diet.
Get information about blood diseases or blood disorders on online health guide- Peoples-Health. Know about various blood diseases like- pernicious anemia , Aplastic anemia, Amyloidosis, and more.
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