Do you also feel tired and lifeless all the time? Do you sometimes feel dizzy or pale? One of the reasons for these things could be anemia, which is a lack of certain vitamins in your body. Let's talk about this in a simple way, with a little more detail.
What is Vitamin Deficiency Anemia?
Simply put, Vitamin Deficiency Anemia is a condition where your body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. The main cause of this is a deficiency of either vitamin B12 or vitamin B9 (which is also called folate or folic acid).
Now you may be wondering what these red blood cells are. These are the little soldiers that give our blood its red color and carry oxygen throughout our bodies. So, when we are deficient in this vitamin, the red blood cells that are produced in our bodies can become abnormally large, almost bloated. These large cells cannot carry oxygen properly. This is why this condition is sometimes called macrocytic anemia or megaloblastic anemia .
Why do our bodies need so much vitamin B12 and folic acid?
Both of these vitamins, B12 and folic acid, are essential for many important processes in our bodies. They are especially important for the production of healthy red blood cells.
Think about it, just like building a house requires good bricks, you also need these vitamins B12 and folic acid to make healthy red blood cells. If you don't get enough of these, your body won't be able to make normal, regular red blood cells. The abnormal cells that are formed die quickly. Then you don't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to every tissue and organ in your body. This is what we call anemia, or blood deficiency.
Who is more likely to develop this disease?
Although anyone can develop this vitamin deficiency anemia, some people are at a slightly higher risk.
- For those who don't eat enough: This condition can occur if you don't have enough vitamin B12 or folate in the foods you eat. For example, people who eat less meat, fish, milk, and eggs may be deficient in B12. Similarly, people who eat less vegetables and nuts may be deficient in folate.
- For those with medical conditions that make it difficult for the body to absorb vitamins: There are some medical conditions that prevent the body from properly absorbing these nutrients from the foods we eat. Some of these conditions include:
- Biliary atresia : This is a liver disease.
- Celiac disease : This is an allergy to the protein gluten.
- Crohn's disease : This is a long-term inflammatory condition of the digestive tract.
- Cystic fibrosis : This is a genetic disease.
- Pernicious anemia : This is when the body doesn't produce a special substance called "intrinsic factor" that helps the body absorb vitamin B12. Think of it like a friend who helps the body absorb vitamin B12. If that friend is missing, the B12 won't get into the body.
What are the symptoms of this? Things to be careful about...
The symptoms of vitamin deficiency anemia can sometimes appear very slowly, very slowly. You may not notice them for months, or even years, but it's a good idea to keep an eye out for things like:
- Feeling dizzy
- Constant fatigue, feeling lethargic (this is what most people feel first)
- Palpitations ( feeling like your heart is beating faster )
- Feeling of muscle weakness
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
- Pale skin, sometimes turning yellow
- Difficulty breathing (doctors also call this `dyspnea`)
- Losing weight for no reason
In addition, vitamin deficiency can also have psychological effects. It can cause conditions like depression . Severe vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and even personality changes . Especially when an elderly person has these symptoms, it can sometimes be mistaken for dementia .
Why does this happen? Let's look at the reasons in detail.
We now know that this anemia occurs when the body's levels of either vitamin B12 or folate are low. So, there are several reasons why these vitamin levels can be low:
- Certain medications: For example, some medications for conditions like epilepsy may reduce the absorption of this vitamin.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Like anything, excessive alcohol consumption is not good for the body. This is also one of the causes of vitamin deficiency.
- Health conditions that affect the absorption of nutrients: As we mentioned earlier, diseases like `Celiac disease` or `Crohn's disease`.
- If you have had stomach surgery: Sometimes, things like weight loss surgery (gastric surgery) can also impair vitamin absorption.
- Infections such as intestinal worms: Parasites, especially tapeworms, can also cause vitamin deficiencies in the body.
- Inappropriate diet:
- For those who do not consume enough foods containing vitamin B12 (meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs). Vegans should be especially careful about this.
- For those who do not consume enough foods containing folate (vitamin B9) (dark green vegetables, leafy greens, beans, nuts, seeds).
People at higher risk of folate deficiency:
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Pregnant women (folic acid is essential during pregnancy)
- People undergoing dialysis for kidney disease
How does a doctor diagnose this accurately?
If you have these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor for advice. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and, if necessary, order a blood test . This blood test will mainly look for:
- How are your blood folate and vitamin B12 levels?
- The number of red blood cells and their appearance (such as whether they are larger than normal or have a different shape).
Sometimes, if the doctor suspects a condition such as pernicious anemia , he may also perform other special tests.
What are the treatments for this? You can get well soon!
Don't worry, there are good treatments for this vitamin deficiency anemia. The main goal of treatment is to restore the level of the vitamin that is lacking in your body to the correct level. Your doctor will decide which vitamin you are deficient in, how much to give you, and how to give it.
There are several ways to give vitamin B12 or folate:
- Oral pills
- Dissolvable tablets (sublingual tablets)
- As an injection
- Sometimes as a liquid given into a vein (`Intravenous (IV) line`)
- As a nasal spray (Nasal spray)
You will need to continue this treatment until your vitamin levels return to normal. It is also important to change your diet. Sometimes, if an underlying condition is causing the vitamin deficiency, you may need to continue taking the treatment while treating that condition to prevent the vitamin deficiency from returning.
How can you avoid contracting this disease as much as possible?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So, the best way to reduce the risk of developing this vitamin deficiency anemia is to eat foods rich in vitamins B12 and B9 (folate).
Foods high in vitamin B12:
- Chicken, fish (especially salmon, trout), beef, liver
- Eggs
- Fortified foods - for example, some breads and breakfast cereals
- Yogurt, cheese, milk
Foods high in vitamin B9 (folate):
- Enriched grain foods - things like pasta, cereal, rice
- Fruits - like oranges, bananas, strawberries
- Dark green vegetables and herbs - spinach, kale, broccoli, asparagus. Many of the herbs that grow in our village are good for this.
You can ask your doctor how much vitamin B12 and B9 you need per day. He or she can check your current vitamin levels and recommend that you take supplements if necessary.
Will I get better if I get treatment? Is there anything to be afraid of?
In most cases, if treated properly, vitamin deficiency anemia does not cause major, long-term complications. With treatment, the condition completely improves.
However, it is not good to leave this untreated. If you do, some side effects may occur. For example:
* Difficulty getting pregnant
* Heart disease, possibly heart failure
* Nervous system problems
* Possible complications during pregnancy
Therefore, if you have symptoms, definitely see a doctor.
What are the things you want to ask the doctor?
If you suspect you have vitamin deficiency anemia, you can ask your doctor questions like these:
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What tests should be done to determine exactly if you have vitamin deficiency anemia?
If your doctor has already confirmed that you have vitamin deficiency anemia, ask these questions:
- What are the treatment options for this?
- What changes do I need to make in my eating habits?
- What should I do to prevent this situation from happening again?
One more thing: a word about vitamin E and vitamin D
Speaking of which, I'll also say a little about two other types of vitamins.
Vitamin E deficiency, especially in premature infants, can cause a severe anemia called hemolytic anemia . This is when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. However, vitamin E deficiency is much less common in adults.
Although vitamin D deficiency is sometimes seen together with anemia, vitamin D deficiency is not usually a direct cause of anemia.
So, here are some things to remember from what we talked about today! (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so, here are the most important things to keep in mind from what we've talked about today:
- Vitamin deficiency anemia is when the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. The main cause of this is a deficiency of vitamin B12 or B9 (folate).
- Be careful if you have symptoms like constant fatigue, paleness, and difficulty breathing .
- It is very important to eat a good nutritious diet , especially foods rich in B12 and folate.
- If you have these symptoms, don't be afraid to see a doctor and get advice.
- If treated properly, this condition can be largely cured.
So, take care of your body. Because health is the greatest wealth! If you want to know anything more, be sure to talk to a doctor.
` Anemia, vitamin deficiency, vitamin B12, folic acid, red blood cells, anemia, blood deficiency, nutrition
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