Myelophthisic Anemia – What to Expect From a Myelophthisic Anemia Diagnostic Evaluation
Myelophthisic anemia is an anemic condition caused by damage which is done to the tissue of the bone marrow when it is invaded by certain types of infections and cancers. This causes abnormal tissue to be formed which prevents a sufficient amount of red blood cells and platelets from being produced by the bone marrow.
The white blood cell count may remain normal or can increase. When the level of red blood cells and platelets are low, this results in low oxygen levels within the body and abnormal bleeding can occur.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Myelophthisic Anemia
Symptoms which may suggest the presence of myelophthisic anemia include tiredness, fatigue, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may also be accompanied by a fever indicating an infection. During a physical examination the physician will look at the skin and fingernails for paleness in color, bruising or bleeding under the skin as well as a rapid heartbeat or "tachycardia".
A blood test will be ordered and if an anemic condition is present this will show with a significantly low number of red blood cells and platelets. These cells-including the white blood cells-will then be examined microscopically to determine if their shape and size matches the characteristics of cells found in myelophthisic anemia. Further testing may then be done with a microscopic examination of the bone tissue to determine what condition is causing this tissue to be damaged.
Treatment of Myelophthisic Anemia
Treatment for this type of anemia is primarily focused on what has caused this condition. In cases of the tissue being damaged by infections such as a fungus or tuberculosis, the anemia typically disappears on its own once the underlying condition is treated. If the anemia is caused by a type of cancer, blood transfusions may be necessary to elevate the blood levels during treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. In some cases of myelophthisic anemia, the spleen becomes enlarged and may have to be surgically removed.
Pernicious Anemia and B12 Deficiency – Should You Take Vitamin B12 to Prevent It?
Pernicious anemia is a condition that results when the body cannot absorb enough vitamin B12. In this particular condition, cells that line the stomach have lost the ability to produce enough of a substance called Intrinsic Factor. Why is this important? Because Intrinsic Factor must first combine with B12 to form a B12-Intrinsic Factor complex so that the digestive system can absorb it.
We know that vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays an important role in several processes: it helps make red blood cells, supports nerve cell function, and even helps build DNA. When the body's immune system malfunctions and begins attacking the cells in the stomach that make intrinsic factor, the decrease in intrinsic factor production greatly affects B12 absorption, for the worse.
Pernicious anemia is also known in medical circles as megaloblastic anemia. The term megaloblastic describes the large, immature red blood cells that are seen in people with this condition, which is more common in persons of northern European descent. Often the terms pernicious anemia and B12 deficiency are used interchangeably, but it is important to note that pernicious anemia refers only to the B12 deficiency that happens when there is an absence of intrinsic factor.
What are the symptoms of pernicious anemia?
Weakness Fatigue Numbness tingling of hands and feet Difficulty walking Decreased appetite Weight loss Nausea Tender, smooth tongue Diarrhea Irritability Increased heart rate
Why is it important to supplement B12?
Even though the red blood cell abnormalities can be improved to normal by supplementing vitamin B12, if too much time passes before the pernicious anemia is detected, the neuropathy (nerve damage) that causes numbness and tingling can become permanent. Usually pernicious anemia is found through a routine check up and a blood test (CBC, or cell blood count) at the doctor's office. Persons most at risk of developing it are the elderly; strict vegetarians who don't supplement B12; and pregnant women.
An important note is that breastfed babies of vegetarian moms can easily develop vitamin B12 deficiency by age 4 to 6 months because their liver reserves--which are normally plentiful--are limited and can be depleted quickly due to their rapid growth rate, (which results in a high demand for B12). One last thing to remember is that folate supplementation should not be taken alone instead of vitamin B12 because folate may indeed alleviate the anemia but allow the neurologic (nerve) deficits to progress or even accelerate. For this reason, both B12 and folate should be supplemented together.
Staying Strong Against Anemia The Natural Way
What is anemia?
Anemia is a common blood disorder characterized by a deficit of healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells distribute oxygen to every organ in the body, so a decreased number of red cells means the body must work harder to accomplish even simple tasks. As a result, the affected individual experiences constant exhaustion -- one of the most common symptoms of anemia.
What causes anemia?
Various factors combine to trigger common anemia: iron deficiency, blood loss, parasites, and insufficient hydrochloric acid in the stomach. .
Another unique form of anemia called "sickle cell" results from a genetic disorder which causes a patient's body to produce sickle-shaped red blood cells rather than normal spherical ones. The sickle-shaped cells carry less oxygen and cause sufferers to become anemic.
What are the symptoms?
Some of the most common symptoms of anemia are lethargy, exhaustion, and persistent lack of energy. Noticeable side effects of the condition include breathlessness, premature wrinkling, dull eyes, headache, and pale skin.
Severely anemic individuals may also experience frequent heart palpitations, and are at increased risk for mild, moderate, or severe cardiac problems.
Are there cures found in nature?
Yes! Anemia can be effectively treated using natural ingredients to improve the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Most of the remedies utilize common ingredients, too.
Green Vegetables
Most green vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek, lettuce and okra are rich sources of iron. The regular consumption of these vegetables ensures a steady supply of iron in the body. Fenugreek seeds are also a rich source of iron. In addition to the healthful benefits of beet and carrot juice which boost the body's hemoglobin production, other natural treatments include:
SESAME SEEDS mixed with milk are a great source of iron. Simply soak a teaspoonful of sesame seeds in lukewarm water, then grind and strain them, sweeten with honey or sugar and mix in a glass of milk.
ALMONDS contain many beneficial elements for anemia sufferers too, including iron, copper and vitamins. To maximize the benefits of almonds, soak seven almonds in water overnight. Remove the skin and grind the almonds into a paste which should be consumed every morning.
CHAMOMILE, ORANGE PEEL, GINGER, AND BRANDY TEA helps cope with the effects of anemia , too. To mix it in your kitchen combine two tablespoons of chamomile, two tablespoons of ground orange peel, and half of a teaspoon of ground ginger in two cups of boiling water. Allow the mixture to cool. Strain and add one cup of brandy. Consume one half of a cup of this blend every morning and evening.
Aplastic Anemia Treatment
People living with mild to moderate aplastic anemia are in serious condition but do not have to be hospitalized for treatment. With extremely low counts of all types of blood cells, the disease is considered severe and life-threatening that hospitalization for treatment is immediately required.
There are different treatment options recommended for every level of the illness. For the mild to moderate aplastic anemia, blood transfusions and medications are still appropriate choices; but for the severe cases, bone marrow transplants may be the only option.
Natural Treatment For Tinnitus – Relief is Here and Regain Your Natural Inner Balance
Natural treatment for Tinnitus is truly something which many of the people around the globe are desperately searching for. There could be no other medical disorder which is so irritating and disturbing like the tinnitus. This is because the constant ringing and buzzing or whirring in the interior of the ear canal, drives the patient who is suffering from it over the wall. How distressing these sounds can be, when they refuse to go away even when you are talking on the phone, or enjoying a nice meal or even when you want to try and get some sleep.
The people who have been afflicted with this haunting disorder usually try out every available option for cure, before they actually can find some relief. But the point to be noted is that the Allopathic medicines can cause certain side effects or unwarranted effects, when used. It also has been found that many patients also complain of an allergy towards the chemical medicines. In such case it is always prudent to opt for the natural treatment.
Natural treatment for Tinnitus may be opted and selected from a wide array of choices. There are herbal medicines, home remedies, Homeopathic medicines, Ayurvedic medicines, Yoga therapy and simple basic steps to free oneself from this terrorizing disorder, altogether. Chinese medicine has been used a traditional system of medicine. These Chinese medicines make us of a wide and extensive variety of natural herbs and shrubs in the course of treatment. A few of the Chinese cures for the tinnitus are Gingko biloba, black cohosh also known as the Actea racemosa plant, seeds of the sesame plant, the seeds of the pumpkin, seeds of the sunflower, the spinach which is quite well known all over the globe and the juice extracted from the onions.
Homeopathy is another natural option which has been practiced all over the globe for the last two hundred and twenty years. This system of medicine originally invented by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann has gained extreme popularity all over the world, and it is being practiced and preferred as the most useful system of medicine by people of all nations. Homeopathy is capable of offering valuable and permanent cure to the tinnitus and also other health problems. The homeopathic medicines are immensely safe and can be consumed even by infants and pregnant women too. The usual medicines employed in homeopathy are Chininum sulphuricum, Verbascum, Mullein Oil, Kali iodatum, salicylic acidum, etc. despite the fact that the homeopathic medicines are quite safe, yet none of these medicines should be used without the proper guidance and consultation of a registered homeopathic medical practitioner.
It has been found that the tinnitus in certain case is due to lack of sufficient flow of blood to the aural area. The tinnitus and the noises in the ears can also be a symptom of generalized anemia or deficiency of blood. The best method to combat the deficiency of blood is to eat lots of fruits, vegetables and fish. If the anemia is quite severe, then it is better to take some iron supplements for at least a period of 3 months.
Iron Deficiency Anemia – Causes, Clinical Picture, and Treatment
Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Causes are divided into 4 major categories which include:
Decreased intake of iron (not common): e.g. in infancy as breast milk is poor in iron Defective absorption of iron (not common): e.g. malabsorption syndrome Increased requirements for iron (common cause): e.g. menestruating females, pregnancy and labour Chronic blood loss (The commonest cause): e.g. Menorrhagia which means excessive menstrual blood or hemorrhagic blood disease and may be bleeding varices or peptic ulcer.
Clinical Manifestations of the disease includes:
Easy fatiguability, stunted growth in children, lack of concentration, headache, blurring of vision, dyspnea, palpitation. Angular stomatitis (inflammation of mouth) and red glazed tongue Nails are brittle, striated with loss of lustre and in severe cases there maybe spooning of nails .
Investigations for diagnosis:
Complete blood picture Bone marrow examination Serum iron level Total iron binding capacity Transferrin saturation Serum ferritin Occult blood in stool to diagnose GIT bleeding Investigations for malabsorption ( if there are clinical manifestations to suspect it )
Treatment of this disease:
1- Treatment of the cause: e.g. Treatment of bleeding varices
2- Specific treatment ( Iron administration):The aim here is to treat anemia and replenish iron stores in the body
There are 2 forms of iron preparations:
Oral iron Parenteral iron (ie by injection): indicated in patients not tolerating oral iron, malabsorption syndrome and the need for urgent response .
3- Transfusion of packed RBCs: Indicated in Haemoglobin less than 8gm/dl , anaemic heart failure or severe symptoms of anemia .
4- Treatment of complications: e.g. Anemic heart failure .
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