Hypochromic anemia is a common name for the forms of anemia caused by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the erythrocytes. The diagnosis can be made only on the basis of a blood test, in which the number of erythrocytes in the blood, the amount of hemoglobin in the erythrocytes and evaluate the color index of the blood. Normally, the last figure is from 0.85 to 1.05, and shows the hemoglobin content in the blood. With hypochromic anemia, the amount of hemoglobin decreases, respectively, and the color index decreases.
Similarly, hypochromic anemia can be diagnosed by the size and shape of red blood cells. With this disease, red blood cells look like a dark ring with a light middle. This phenomenon is called hypochromia and serves as the main sign for the diagnosis.
The causes of hypochromia are primarily iron deficiency anemia, but it can also be caused by chronic lead poisoning, lack of vitamin B6 , hereditary diseases.
Causes and types of hypochromic anemia
Among hypochromic anemia it is customary to allocate:
- iron deficiency anemia;
- sideroahresticheskuyu, or iron-saturated;
- iron redistribution anemia;
- anemia of mixed origin.
Depending on the type of anemia, the causes that cause the disease also differ:
- Iron-deficiency anemia. It occurs most often and is caused by a lack of iron in the body. Its causes can serve as chronic internal bleeding (most often intestinal or uterine bleeding in women), iron absorption abnormalities in diseases of the digestive tract (enteritis), pregnancy and lactation (in which the body's need for iron rises sharply), low-protein diet. With this type of anemia, the main method of treatment is taking drugs with iron.
- Sidero-hysterical anemia. With this type of anemia, the iron level in the body is normal, but it is not absorbed. Iron with such an anemia is not prescribed, since this only leads to its excessive accumulation in the tissues. The most effective in this case is the appointment of vitamin B6.
- Iron-redistributive anemia. With this type of anemia, a large amount of iron accumulates in the body due to the accelerated decay of erythrocytes. Thus, the level of hemoglobin in the blood is lowered, whereas the level of iron in the body is normal or elevated. Often, this anemia develops against the background of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. In this case, prescribe a maintenance vitamin therapy.
In most cases, if the disease is diagnosed in time, hypochromic anemia is mild and well-treatable, although it takes considerable time. Exceptions are neglected cases when measures were not taken on time, and anemia caused by thalassemias (hereditary diseases). In these cases, the severity of anemia can vary up to life-threatening conditions.
People's Anemia Treatment
Since the most common (up to 90% of all cases) is iron deficiency anemia, most of the folk methods are directed precisely at what would compensate for iron deficiency in the body.
- First of all, it is recommended to eat foods rich in iron: raisins, dried apricots, apples, pomegranates, beets, meat.
- Mix birch and nettle leaves in equal proportions. Two tablespoons of the collection pour a glass of boiling water and insist an hour. Infusion strain and add a half glass of beet juice.
Take 20 minutes before eating for a month. - Spoon a teaspoon of red clover flowers with a glass of boiling water and boil for 10 minutes. Take a decoction of 2 tablespoons 4-5 times a day.
Effects of anemia
Especially dangerous is anemia in children and pregnant women, as this can lead to a delay in the child's development, premature birth, and weight loss in the newborn. In adults, anemia can cause swelling and numbness of the limbs, an increase in the size of the liver and spleen, as well as disruption of the cardiovascular system.