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Pernicious Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
What Is Pernicious Anemia?
It is an autoimmune disorder in which the body cannot absorb vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia occurs when the body is unable to absorb sufficient vitamin B12 from the digestive tract due to a shortage of intrinsic factors, a protein required for B12 absorption. Without enough vitamin B12, fewer red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. Pernicious anemia is a condition that causes injury to multiple biological systems, including:
- Damage to the nervous system
- Digestive issues that induce nausea, bloating, and weight loss.
- Weakness and weariness.
- Heart issues
Usually, your body stores vitamin B12 obtained from your food. Your body accumulates vitamin B12 and gradually uses it over time. It can take three to five years for your body to deplete its vitamin B12 reserves. After that, it may take several years before you develop pernicious anemia symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Pernicious Anemi?
The severity of your symptoms will increase in proportion to the duration of time that you have been deficient in vitamin B12. Some of the symptoms include:
- Swollen, red tongue and bleeding gums.
- Heartburn.
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Standing up or exerting oneself can cause lightheadedness.
- shortness of breath,
- Confusion.
- Optic nerve degeneration damages your vision.
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Delusions
- Loss of balance.
- Short-term memory loss.
- Depression
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Get A Second OpinionHow Is Pernicious Anemia Diagnosed?
A healthcare practitioner conducts a thorough physical examination and medical history to determine if other illnesses increase the risk of vitamin B12 insufficiency. They may also check for nerve system disorders. Other tests include:
- vitamin B12 levels
- complete blood count
- reticulocyte count
- LDH test
- serum bilirubin
- MMA-Methylmalonic acid
- homocysteine levels
- Antibodies that attack the stomach's parietal cells and prevent intrinsic factor function may also be tested.
- An endoscopy is used to examine for symptoms of degeneration.
Management of Pernicious Anemia:
- As a result of the obstruction of vitamin B12 absorption, your healthcare professional may recommend intramuscular injections of vitamin B12.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed if bacteria in your intestine hinder your body from absorbing vitamin B12.
- when B12 stocks have returned to normal, they may prescribe high dosages of oral B12 supplementation.
- Pernicious anemia patients require regular vitamin B12 levels checks, including blood tests, to ensure proper dosage.
- Lifestyle changes include consuming high-vitamin B12 foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Due to poor absorption, oral supplementation or injections are typically required.
Difference Between Megaloblastic Anemia and Pernicious Anemia:
Megaloblastic Anemia | Pernicious Anemia |
Caused by deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate | occurs when the body is unable to absorb sufficient vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor |
The condition can be caused by dietary deficiencies, malabsorption syndromes, or specific drugs but is not necessarily linked to autoimmune illnesses. | Pernicious anemia is linked to autoimmune gastritis and other disorders due to an autoimmune attack on stomach parietal cells, resulting in a lack of intrinsic factor production. |
Treatment includes finding the cause of the vitamin deficiency and fixing it. | The primary treatment goal is to replace vitamin B12 levels through supplementation. |
Dietary inadequacies, gastrointestinal disorders, medications, or vitamin metabolism issues can cause vitamin B12 deficiency. | Pernicious anemia is linked to the autoimmune destruction of stomach cells, which produces intrinsic factors. |
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Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Anaemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in red blood cell or haemoglobin levels, resulting in reduced oxygen-carrying ability, unlike hyperchromic conditions, which increase haemoglobin concentration in red blood cells.
Anaemia, when left untreated, can strain the heart by reducing blood's oxygen-carrying capacity, increasing the risk of heart issues like a heart attack or heart failure.
Yes, anemia, caused by decreased haemoglobin levels, may cause dizziness in some people. This is because it reduces oxygen delivery to the blood.
High eosinophil counts are often linked to allergic reactions, parasite infections, leukaemia, and other inflammatory or allergic disorders, not always resulting from anemia.
Anemia is not a direct cause of migraines, but some individuals may experience headaches or migraines due to reduced brain oxygen supply.
Linezolid, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, may cause anemia due to bone marrow suppression, resulting in decreased red blood cell production.
Pernicious anemia is primarily treated with vitamin B12 supplementation, often administered intramuscularly to prevent digestive tract absorption issues.
Anemia can be a symptom of certain types of cancer, particularly those that impair the bone marrow's ability to create red blood cells. However, anemia can be caused by a variety of reasons, so it is not limited to cancer.
Anemia does not induce boils. In most cases, boils are caused by bacterial infections of the skin's hair follicles or oil glands.
Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption, can lead to anemia by disrupting the absorption of essential minerals like iron and vitamin B12.
Anemia does not directly cause enlarged lymph nodes, as they are usually symptoms of an underlying infection, inflammation, or malignancy. However, if anemia is caused by an underlying illness affecting lymph nodes, swollen lymph nodes may occur.
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