Posts Tagged ‘Type Of Anemia’

Iron Deficiency and Liver Extract

Comments: 0November 2nd, 2010 by admin



Iron is a very critical component in the biochemical modalities of the human body. Iron is an essential part of RBC in the form of Hemoglobin. Basically hemoglobin is concerned with the transport of Oxygen to the tissues where it is used for various metabolic activities. Iron is also very important component in various enzymes produced in the body. It is also very important in DNA synthesis. The quantity of Hemoglobin is measured by a scale known as Hb scale. The Hb count in men is 13 to 16 while it is 10 to 12 in women. Iron deficiency can cause a type of Anemia. Anemia can be caused by other factors like deficiency of folic acid, poor absorption in the GI tract or more serious causes like leukemia.

Expectant and lactating mothers are more prone to Anemia. Women in third world countries are more prone to anemia. Similarly in geriatrics, lack of HCl secretions results in anemia caused by poor absorption of Iron. Bleeding piles and Gums are also one of the causes of Anemia. Studies have shown that 30 to 50% people in this group suffer from Anemia of varying degrees.

Anemia can also be caused by situations where there is an abrupt increase requirement of Iron by the body. Such situations can arise during pregnancy, adolescent growth and after debilitating like Typhoid or, malaria which is preceded by massive lyses of RBC. Pregnancy requires massive amounts of Iron and it is fulfilled by Iron supplementation. Vegetarianism is also, a major cause of Anemia.

The low income population is also vulnerable to iron deficiency. An iron deficient diet, coupled with poor absorption can cause anemia. Use of antacid can also hinder Iron absorption. Diarrhea, removal of a part of the GI tract can also give less surface are for absorption.

Anemia caused due iron deficiency can be easily diagnosed by the symptoms it offers. Since Iron is an important component of Hemoglobin therefore any deficiency causes breathlessness and tiredness. Anemia severely restricts the ability to do physical labor. Other function of the body is also affected. The immune system is affected

Liver Extracts have been used since long for iron deficiency anemia. The extract is usually prepared from bovine or pig liver. Since the iron is from an organic source it is readily assimilated by the body. Iron from an inorganic source is poorly absorbed by the body. Besides inorganic iron causes GI disturbances and constipation.

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Pernicious Anemia – A Condition Caused by a Lack of Vitamin B12

Comments: 0January 9th, 2010 by admin



Pernicious anemia is an anemic condition which occurs or happens when an individual’s body or the sufferer is not able to absorb enough of the B12 vitamin from their gastrointestinal tract. The human body requires the B12 to produce red blood cells as well as to maintain the nervous system.

When the vitamin B12 in the body becomes insufficient, the bone marrow is unable to produce red blood cells which divide normally. These cells are then too large and many can not pass through the bone marrow to the body and this creates a shortage of these cells which are needed to carry oxygen throughout the body.

The Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency as well as Pernicious Anemia

In many cases of pernicious anemia, the condition itself is not diagnosed until after signs of a neurological problem appear. There are many symptoms associated with this type of anemia including those which are typical of all types of anemia and include tiredness and fatigue. Other symptoms include bleeding gums, sore mouth, tongue problems, impaired sense of smell, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and a pale skin color.

Other symptoms which may occur and are due to the lack of vitamin B12 can include numbness or tingling in the hands as well as feet, loss of balance, and muscle weakness. In severe cases of a vitamin B12 deficiency it is possible for an individual to experience memory loss, dementia, confusion, and depression.

The Most Common Treatments for Pernicious Anemia

Pernicious anemia was actually given its name due to the fact that “pernicious” is defined as “deadly”. The reason for this was because at one time vitamin B12 treatments were not available; however, at these days pernicious anemia is treated fairly easy by building up the vitamin B12 in the body.

This can be done easily through vitamin B12 shots which are given in the more severe cases of pernicious anemia as well as may be on a daily or weekly basis until the B12 reaches sufficient levels in the body. In less severe cases vitamin B12 pills are usually taken in very large doses. Vitamin B12 is also made available in a nose spray as well as gel which is sometimes beneficial for individuals who have problems with swallowing pills. Prescription medications may also be given to treat this kind of condition which is causing the body’s inability to absorb the B12.

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Treating Anemia in Dogs

Comments: 0August 28th, 2009 by admin



Treating anemia in dogs can be difficult simply because there are so many potential causes of this very dangerous condition. However, there are several very successful treatments that will include both medical as well as natural forms. The treatment of anemia will all depend of the actual cause, which can be primary or secondary, as well as the severity of the anemia.

Anemia in dogs is technically defined as a low red blood cell count and can be caused by a number of processes that include blood loss, red blood cell destruction, as well as an inadequate red blood cell production by your dog. In determining the actual treatment, your veterinarian will have to fully understand the actual cause. But before any of this can be done, you will have to identify that your dog does have anemia.

There are several warning signs and symptoms that will help to with identifying it.

Symptoms:

Treating anemia in dogs can not be done until you identify that your dog actually has anemia, and there are several warning signs and symptoms that you can watch for. The first warning is a generalized weakness in your dog. This weakness may be very sudden, or it may be gradual, depending on the type of anemia that your dog has.

As soon as you see any sign of weakness, do not assume that your dog is just not felling well. Very quickly check their gums, as this is the first true indicator that your dog has something seriously wrong with them.

If their gums are pale at all, the chances are very high that they have developed this condition. Next, check for an increased respiratory rate in your dog by checking their pulse. This is done by placing your fingers around the front of their hind leg and than moving your hands up between their thigh and abdomen.

Once you feel the pulse, it should be between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The next sign that you may see with anemia is collapsing. This is a very frightening situation and one of the sure signs of this condition. Blood loss of any type in your dog, especially in the urine or externally, is the next sign of anemia. Abdominal distention, vomiting, and any type of a yellow discoloration are also signs that your dog has this condition.

CBC in Dogs:

Treating anemia in dogs will also depend of their complete blood count, or their CBC. This is one of the most basic as well as most important tests your veterinarian will do, as it can very quickly determine the health status of your dog. It will provide much needed information about the three types of cellular elements. It tests the red blood cells, the white blood cells, as well as the platelets.

These tests will determine in detail the number, size, and shape of the various cells, as well as any potential abnormalities. With regards to the red blood cells, it will tell your veterinarian how many cells there are and if there has been a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin, which is critical in determining anemia.

Treatments:

Treating anemia in dogs must first be determined by treating the underlying cause of the anemia. One of the most common causes of anemia in your dog is by what is referred to as suppression of the immune system, or immune mediated hemolytic anemia, also known as IMHA. This is a situation where your dogs own system, which is designed specifically to attack and kill germs, actually attacks it own red blood cells.

This occurs when the antibodies attach themselves to your dogs red blood cells and target them for destruction.

The actual cause of this is still unknown, and the treatments will vary, but the most common treatment is with corticosteroids. This form of treatment is usually very rapid, but it may be 3 to 4 days before you will see any improvement. The initial dosages are usually very high, and you should always get a second opinion as there can be several side effects. If this form of anemia is severe, there are other forms of immune suppressive drugs that may be used, but these have even more severe side affects.

If the cause of the anemia is a toxin, your dog will than be treated with antibiotics. One of the leading causes of anemia in a dog is the ingestion of a toxic substance. If the substance is the result of zinc toxicity, it is usually caused by a penny that your dog has swallowed. If this is the case, it will have to be surgically removed.

However, the most common toxic ingestion in dogs is from rat poison. Rat poison is designed specifically to stop red blood cell production in rats, causing their death, and it is extremely effective. Although it will not be toxic to your dog to the point of causing death, it can very rapidly be the cause of anemia. The treatment for this will be with Vitamin K therapy; first with injections, and than followed up with supplements.

If an iron deficiency is the actual cause, treating anemia in dogs, will be done with iron supplements. If the cause is from a kidney failure, the treatment is then hormonal therapy. However, if the anemia is severe enough, your dog may need a transfusion of either their entire whole blood, which is cells plus the liquid plasma, or packed red blood cells. This is a situation where transfusion is done after the liquid is removed.

But there is a real problem with this, especially if it is IMHA. If the corticosteroids or other methods do not stop the system from attacking itself, it will kill theses cells as well. For this reason, transfusion is usually used only as a last resort.

Preventive Treatments:

Treating anemia in dogs also has some very natural methods of treatments if the case is not severe, and most cases, they are not. Even though your dog is carnivorous, placing some green vegetables in their food which contain iron as well as several other minerals may help slow the anemia, or in some cases, may even prevent it. Beef liver is also extremely effective as it contains iron, protein, as well as B complex of vitamins. It is also very rich in Vitamin B12 which is extremely effective in treating anemia.

A nutritional yeast in a powder or supplement form is also very effective, as it will contain the same ingredients as beef liver. Kelp powder is also a very effective treatment, as it contains iodine as well as several other trace minerals. Vitamin C for dogs has many uses and one of them is helping in both treating and preventing several forms of anemia.

The recommended dosage is between 500 to 2,000 milligrams a day, depending on the size of your dog. This vitamin naturally helps you dog with the absorption of iron from the intestinal tract.

Summary:

Treating anemia in dogs can be extremely effective, especially if your take the preventive approach and build up their immune system. Immune mediated conditions in dogs may never be explained or understood, but it is also quite rare. If your dogs system is built with natural iron and the essential vitamins and trace minerals, it is already being treated.

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms

Comments: 0June 29th, 2009 by admin



Your body requires very little vitamin b12 or cobalamin and most of us get sufficient quantities of it in our normal meals to satisfy our daily requirements. Although it’s rare to see vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms it can still be useful to be able to recognise them just in case.

You’re most vulnerable to vitamin b12 deficiency if you’ve vegan and don’t use the available dietary supplements containing vitamin b12. Infants breast-feeding from vegan mothers can also be at risk. Vitamin b12 supplements are generally regarded as safe because there are few known adverse effects of overdose.

The main symptom that arises from vitamin b12 deficiency is a type of anemia that causes you to feel tired, weak and lethargic. You might also feel nauseous, constipated and become very flatulent (gas). You may also lose your appetite and suffer weight loss.

More severe cases can give vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms, which include:

Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet Insomnia Loss of memory Dizziness Lack of balance Depression Digestive problems Dizziness Liver enlargement Eye problems Headaches Hallucinations Inflamed tongue Breathing difficulties Loss of memory Palpitations Neurological damage Tinitus or ringing in the ears

Vitamin b12 is commonly found in animal products like eggs, dairy, fish, meat and animal organs. B12 is rarely found in vegetables, which is why vegetarians and especially vegans who don’t eat dairy products or meat, are especially at risk. If you fall into this category then you should consider using vitamin supplements containing b12.

It’s also important to realise that the operation of vitamin b12 is dependent on sufficient quantities of other vitamins being present in your body so you should take care to get a balanced diet to avoid vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms.

Summary:
Your body requires very little vitamin b12 or cobalamin and most of us get sufficient quantities of it in our normal meals to satisfy our daily requirements. Although it’s rare to see vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms it can still be useful to be able to recognise them just in case.

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