A helpful overview on anemia

A helpful overview on anemia

Anemia refers to the medical condition in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells to transfer oxygen to the tissues in the body. When you suffer from anemia, you feel weak and exhausted all the time. This disease can be temporary in nature or have a long-term effect on a person’s health, in which case they will require continual treatment.

Causes

  • Inflammation
    Several kinds of diseases like kidney diseases, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and chronic inflammatory diseases obstruct the process of producing red blood cells.
  • Iron deficiency anemia
    This is the most common kind of anemia. As the name suggests, it is a result of a deficiency of iron in the body. The bone marrow requires iron to produce hemoglobin. When there is a shortage of the nutrient, the body fails to generate a sufficient amount of hemoglobin to produce red blood cells.
  • Vitamin-deficiency anemia
    Apart from iron, the body requires vitamin B-12 and folate to generate red blood cells. When your diet does not have any of these, there is a sharp drop in the red blood cell count. There are also cases of people who consume vitamin B-12 but not absorbing it properly. That gives rise to vitamin-deficiency anemia.
  • Aplastic anemia
    This is a rare kind of anemia that could pose a serious threat to your life. This is, again, a result of the body not producing red blood cells in sufficient quantity. Some of the common causes of aplastic anemia are taking certain medications, being in contact with toxic chemicals, suffering from autoimmune diseases, and infections.
  • Hemolytic anemia
    Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells get destroyed or die faster than they can be replaced by the bone marrow. If a person is suffering from a blood disease, it increases the rate at which red blood cells are being destroyed.
  • Sickle cell anemia
    This is a type of hemolytic anemia that is often inherited and very serious in nature. When a kind of defective hemoglobin coerces red blood cells into assuming a crescent-like shape, it is referred to as sickle cell anemia. These abnormal red blood cells get destroyed prematurely and result in a deficiency of red blood cells.

Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of anemia vary from person to person. It depends on the kind of the disease one is suffering from and what has caused it. If anemia results from a chronic disease, the symptoms of the disease can hide the signs of the condition. In such a situation, diagnostic tests would help in determining the presence of anemia.

Here are some of the most commonly observed symptoms of anemia.

  • Fatigue
  • Pale skin
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling weak
  • Pain in the chest
  • Cold feet or hands
  • Suffering from headache frequently

Risk factors

  • Intestinal disorder
    If a person is suffering from some kind of intestinal disorder, he/she will have issues with absorbing nutrients in the small intestine. Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease are types of intestinal disorders.
  • Pregnancy
    When you are pregnant, you must take a multivitamin tablet with iron and folic acid. If you do not do this, you will be at a high risk of suffering from anemia.
  • Family history
    If someone or many members of your family suffer from inherited anemia, there will be a high chance of you developing it, too.

The symptoms of certain bleeding disorders like hemophilia A can be managed with AFSTYLA®, which is a type of antihemophilic treatment . It can be administered to adults suffering from hemophilia A. AFSTYLA® can be administered twice weekly. It ensures lasting protection from bleeding. Its binding affinity stabilizes factor VIII, which helps control the bleeding. AFSTYLA® is available in seven different dosage options. The dose is decided by the doctor depending on the severity of hemophilia. AFSTYLA® can be stored at room temperature for up to three months.

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Things you should know about multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Due to this disorder, your immune system attacks myelin, which is the protective sheath covering the nerve fibers. As a result, communication between your brain and body is hampered. Causes of multiple sclerosis The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still uncertain. However, some factors that cause this disorder are as follows:Immune systemIf the immune system is compromised, it may attack the CNS. The myelin protective sheath is affected, thereby disrupting the functioning of your brain, resulting in multiple sclerosis.InfectionCertain viruses and bacteria can cause multiple sclerosis. Some viruses cause inflammation that breaks down the myelin, triggering multiple sclerosis. It is possible that brain-cell-like bacteria and viruses can cause the immune system to erroneously identify normal cells as foreign cells, thereby destroying them. Some of the viruses and bacteria that can cause multiple sclerosis include Epstein-Barr virus, measles viruses, and human herpesvirus-6 causing disorders like roseola.GeneticsOne can be highly susceptible to multiple sclerosis if one has a family history of this disorder. The possibility of one developing this disorder in such instances increases by 2.5% to 5% in the country. For an average individual, the possibility is roughly 0.1%. Multiple sclerosis patients are born with genetic susceptibility to unfamiliar environmental agents, which triggers an auto-immune response.Environmental factorsEpidemiologists have noticed a higher number of multiple sclerosis patients in countries that are far from the Equator. This may be a correlation with Vitamin D as it is believed to be highly beneficial for the immune system. Since people living in countries closer to the Equator receive plenty of sunlight, their bodies produce more Vitamin D, which reduces the risk.Symptoms of MSSymptoms vary and depend on the affected nerves and extent of nerve damage. Severe multiple sclerosis patients may be unable to walk independently, while some patients may experience long periods with no symptoms. Some common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:Weakness or numbness in the limbs of one side of the body, or trunk and legsUnsteady gait, trembling, and lack of coordinationLhermitte sign, where you may feel electrical shock-like sensation with neck movements especially while bending forwardIssues with vision, such as partial or complete loss of sight in one eye, experiencing pain while moving the eyes, blurry vision, or long periods of double visionSexual, bladder, and bowel functioning troubleSlurred speechPain or tingling sensation in various parts of the bodyDizzinessFatigue and tirednessRisk factors causing MSAlthough the disorder may appear at any age, people between the ages of 16 and 55 years are more commonly affectedSmokers who may experience MS-like symptoms initially are more likely to relapseWomen are twice or three times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than men Autoimmune disorders like inflammatory bowel disease or type-1 diabetes can increase the possibility of developing multiple sclerosisCountries with temperate weather conditions see a higher number of multiple sclerosis patientsInfections and lack of Vitamin D can also trigger multiple sclerosis

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Hyperkalemia – 10 foods to avoid

Potassium plays a huge role in the health of our heart muscles and nerve cells. And high levels of this element in the blood cause hyperkalemia. If you consume meals high in potassium, your doctor may advise you to decrease portion sizes and concentrate on fruits and vegetables with a lower potassium content. Here is a list of foods rich in potassium that must be avoided if you have hyperkalemia. Yogurt and dairy products A serving of nonfat yogurt weighing eight ounces has roughly 625 mg of potassium, making it one of the dairy aisle's highest sources of potassium. Even reduced fat milk contains 366 mg of potassium in a glass of cow's whole milk. Ricotta and cottage cheese are also high in potassium. Goat cheese is a low potassium food, proving that not all cheeses are made equal. Likewise, About 131 milligrams of potassium may be found in a half cup of vanilla ice cream. Bananas When people consider foods high in potassium, bananas frequently come to mind. A banana normally contains 422 mg of potassium. Among all the fruit, bananas are athletes' favorite as they provide energy. However, it could be highly dangerous for someone suffering from hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if you have hyperkalemia and stick to fruits such as apples and berries. Leafy vegetables About 420 milligrams of potassium can be found in only a half cup of cooked spinach. Raw spinach, young or mature, has roughly 167 mg per cup. Fennel, bok choy, beet greens, and Swiss chard are also high in potassium. You can opt for kale instead. Kale has more nutrients than these other dark leafy greens, but it has less potassium. 73 mg is present in one cup of raw kale. Fish Clams, which provide 534 mg of potassium in just 3 ounces, are the finest source of protein from seafood. Around three ounces of skipjack tuna offers 444 mg, another major source of potassium. One of the most popular fish, salmon, frequently has a lower potassium content. Keeping a check on what type of fish you are eating if you have hyperkalemia is a must. Kidney beans Beans are a balanced addition to any meal plan as they're rich sources of protein and fiber. However, according to data from the USDA, one cup of the kidney-shaped type has 713 mg of potassium. A half-cup of black beans has 489 mg of potassium. Avocado This creamy, green-fleshed fruit is packed with 690 mg of potassium and is high in fiber and heart-healthy lipids. Although it might seem good for your heart, you should avoid it if you have hyperkalemia. Potatoes Potassium is heavily concentrated in potatoes; 925 milligrams of potassium may be found in a baked potato. A three-ounce portion of french-fried potatoes has 470 mg of potassium and a lot of fat and calories. The potassium content in an ounce of potato chips is 465 mg. Indulging in fast foods like fries is adverse for those with hyperkalemia. Oranges A single orange has 240 mg of potassium, making it a food with a high potassium content. With 450 mg per 8 oz glass, orange juice is a more potent source of potassium. Fruits vary in their potassium content. Berries are a poor source of potassium and can be a decent substitute for oranges and orange juice. Another good option is apples. Dried fruits The nutrients in fruit, including potassium, that have been dried are concentrated. You get roughly 750 milligrams from half a cup of dried apricots. Also, even though raisins and dried plums make a fantastic snack, they should be avoided by someone with hyperkalemia. Legumes and beans Legumes are a significant source of potassium as well. White beans have the most, with 600 mg of potassium in a half cup. In half a cup serving, other legumes such as lima beans and pinto beans have between 300 and 350 mg.

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