Posts Tagged ‘Dizziness’

Vitamin Deficiency Anemia – Its Cause and Cure

Comments: 0June 12th, 2011 by admin



Do you feel weak and tired? Headaches have become inseparable part of your life? At times you come across dizziness, total confusion and even get depressed? Then you need to go for check up for it might be anemia. Yes even if you do not suffer from iron deficiency it is possible to suffer from anemia. Iron deficiency is not the only cause of anemia; it can also result from vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential for the production of red blood cells. Deficiency of these vitamins leads to anemia.

Anemia takes place when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the organs and the tissues of our body. You feel tired and weak if you suffer from anemia because your body doesn’t get enough oxygen due to the lack of red blood cells in our body.

Vitamin deficiency anemia occurs when your diet doesn’t contain the required amount of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Inadequate intake of vitamin C can also be a cause of anemia because vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron, thus when it is not added in regular diet it reduces the iron absorption leading to anemia.

Vitamin deficiency anemia can be easily cured by including vitamin rich food in your daily diet. It’s not always possible to make your food vitamin rich, some or other vitamin is always missed out and even if we try to get them in our food, it is not present in exact amount so it is not very helpful in overcoming vitamin deficiency. But taking vitamin supplements can help you solve this problem. Various vitamin supplements are available in the market. They can even be bought directly on the internet

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The Normocytic Anemia Guide

Comments: 0April 13th, 2011 by admin



When it comes to anemia types, the type that is identified as normocytic anemia is considered to be the most common. Individuals that suffer from this blood disorder have red blood cells that are considered to be average or normal. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the blood cells are relatively normal, there are not enough of them produced on a regular basis.

Individuals that have this condition may be born with the condition and others may develop it later in life due to some type of infection or disease in general. In most instances, the blood disorder is caused by a chronic based disease.

Symptoms

When a person first develops this particular form of anemia, there usually are not any symptoms. Seeing that the progression of the condition is relatively slow, symptoms of this form of Anemia may not be experienced for quite some time. Over time, the skin may become a pale color.

This discoloration may be noticed on the lips of the sufferer as well. In some cases, a sufferer will experience a general lack of energy and high levels of fatigue. While experiencing this fatigue, the sufferer may notice that they become weak. In more severe forms of the condition, dizziness may also be experienced.

Conclusion

While normocytic anemia is a relatively common type of anemia that has the fewest symptoms altogether, it is a condition that may prove to be challenging for the person suffering from it. With symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and general body weakness it is understandable that treatment should be sought so that day to day activities may be pursued.

When an evaluation is performed by a doctor, it will usually involve a complete blood count or CBC test and a physical examination. Once the results from the CBC are finalized, the doctor will be able to confirm whether or not an individual is suffering from Normocyte Anemia.

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Blood Transfusions – What to Expect

Comments: 0August 29th, 2009 by admin



A blood transfusion is definitely not a pleasant thing, but as most procedures go, they aren’t that bad either. Why you are getting a blood transfusion can be a determining factor as to how easily the procedure will go.

I personally just had a blood transfusion because my hemoglobin was at 79 and my iron was at 2. Symptoms I personally felt from the anemia was tiredness, weakness, shaky legs and hands, heavy heart palpitations, a whooshing sound in my head that included my heartbeat and dizziness. I also had started to slur, my tongue felt like it was cut up and my lips had started to crack. I was very pale with deep dark circles under my eyes. These symptoms may not appear in all people, and you may need a blood transfusion for a reason other than severe anemia.

If going to the emergency department for severe anemia, expect that they will want to do blood tests. For those who are severely anemic, this may prove to be a problem. Severe anemia comes with the downfall of often having small, rolling and/or collapsing veins making blood tests a bit of a challenge. If they have to “dig” for the vein, this can be pretty painful and will leave awful bruising. Applying ice immediately to the area that the needle was inserted can significantly reduce bruising and swelling. Another hint I recently got from my doctor was to press down firmly on the area for a full five minutes once the needle has been removed, it may be painful but will reduce the bruising in the long run.

Once the blood tests are collected it takes approximately an hour for the lab to deliver results. From there the doctor will decide how much blood you need, what your blood type is and the match will be made for you. At this point, if it hasn’t already been done, an intravenous needle will be inserted most likely into your hand. The doctor may or may not start you on a saline drip. The previously mentioned issues with needles applies to the IV as well.

It can take several hours for the donor blood to arrive to your room. When it does arrive, two nurses will double check to make sure the blood matches the information on the work-order and your wrist band. This is to ensure you get the right blood.

Once the blood is hooked up to your IV, you are looking at approximately 2 hours per pint. If you have a heart condition this could take much longer. Because the blood is refrigerated, you may get a cool feeling in your hand and arm when it starts. A nurse will keep a close eye on you, especially during the first 15 minutes. He/she will be watching for a fever, a significant change in blood pressure and/or pulse. You will be asked questions about how you are feeling, any itching or shortness of breath amongst other things. The fever is usually tested with a normal thermometer under the tongue, a blood pressure cuff is used to check your blood pressure. The blood pressure cuff is uncomfortable as it squeezes the upper arm and then releases, but is not unbearable. Your pulse is taken by a little clamp loosely attached to your finger, it is not uncomfortable in the least. After the first 15 minutes the nurse will continue checking on you periodically.

If you are getting more than one pint of blood, expect it to take between 10 and 30 minutes between switching the bags. With every new bag of blood, the two nurses will again double check the codes and you will be monitored closely again for the first 15 minutes, then periodically afterward.

When all the pints of blood have been emptied, the tube going from the blood bag to your IV will be flushed with saline, which takes about 30 minutes if you are going through a bag every 2 hours. Once the tube is flushed, the nurse will remove the IV, and this is where you want to press hard on the area for 5 minutes. Now you can go home! You can drive yourself, there should be no after effects unless of course, like me you were severely anemic, at which point the only side effect is that you will feel much better.

I hope this basic rundown of a typical blood transfusion helps you understand what to expect in this situation and that you are now equipped with the knowledge to handle the situation with ease.

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