The blood performs a number of functions – it delivers oxygen, carries nutrients and removes carbon dioxide. The liquid portion of blood (plasma) contains red blood cells and white blood cells. Anemia occurs when hemoglobin (the iron-protein compound in red blood cells that transports oxygen) is decreased and the body does not have enough red blood cells. When there are too few blood cells because of a lack of vitamin B12, the condition is known as pernicious anemia. This term was used when there was no effective treatment and pernicious anemia was fatal. There are, however, therapies available today allowing people to live a normal life.
Causes and Risk Factors of Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia is caused by the deficiency of the vitamin B12, which is needed for the normal production of red blood cells. The condition is usually hereditary and often due to a failure in the complex process that the digestive tract must go through to absorb B12. The less common causes of decreased B12 absorption include chronic pancreatitis, malabsorption syndromes, medications and increased metabolism of B12 through longstanding hyperthyroidism.
There are a number of risk factors associated with pernicious anemia. The first risk factor is family descent. Incidence is higher among fair-haired people, especially those with either Scandinavian or Northern European ancestry. Other risk factors include a history of autoimmune endocrine disorders and the presence of a family history of pernicious anemia.
Symptoms and Complications of Pernicious Anemia
In most cases, there are no early signs associated with pernicious anemia. As the condition progresses, however, there may be shortness of breath and less endurance with exercise. Often, people with vitamin B12 deficiency will have very low hemoglobin but show few symptoms such as fatigue, in contrast with those who develop iron deficiency anemia. That's because hemoglobin decreases over a long period of time and the body has gotten used to it.
There are other symptoms of pernicious anemia that may develop:
- pale skin and a sore tongue
- poor appetite and weight loss
- tingling and numbness of hands and feet
- disturbed walking gait and balance
- mental changes – memory loss, irritability, mild depression, dementia
- yellow-blue colour blindness
The Treatment and Prevention of Pernicious Anemia
The main treatment for pernicious anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency is injections of B12. At first, there are five to seven injections required over a short period of time and then injections will be given once a month indefinitely. People with this condition cannot be treated without the help of a doctor and a well-balanced diet including iron, folic acid and vitamin C is necessary for healthy blood cell development.
If pernicious anemia is left untreated, it could potentially cause neurological effects and affect the sensory and motor nerves. Pernicious anemia is a chronic disease that progresses slowly but steadily. The condition was fatal in the past, but because of medical advances, people can now be treated.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency as a Chronic Disease
Pernicious anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a multitude of symptoms over a long period of time as it is a chronic and steadily progressing disease. Once a fatal condition, pernicious anemia is now highly treatable by injection, allowing people to lead a normal life.
Source:
"Pernicious Anemia", bodyandhealth.canada.com (accessed May 31, 2010).
Mary Margaret Peralta - Mary Margaret is a mom to three children, with a passion for reading, writing and cooking.
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