Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder of the blood that causes your blood NOT to transport enough oxygen to your different body organs as they should. This condition is one of several types of anemia.
If you have anemia, it may mean that you have lower than normal number of red blood cells (RBCs). Your RBCs are the ones that carry oxygen to your different cells. Sometimes, anemia can be caused by your red blood cells not having enough hemoglobin -- the oxygen-carrying component of RBCs.
Normally, your RBCs are disc-shaped with a depression on each side and usually live for about 120 days. When viewed under the microscope, your RBCs look like doughnuts without its holes in the center. In sickle cell anemia, however, the red blood cells are shaped like a sickle (crescent-shaped). They don't survive long as normal RBCs do. These abnormally shaped RBCs usually last for about 10-20 days.
Your bone marrow -- the part of your bone that produces your blood cells including your red blood cells -- can't produce enough RBCs at a time to replace those dead sickle-like RBCs. As a result anemia can occur.
If you have anemia, you can get weak, feel cold or get dizzy. Sometimes, you may feel irritable. The only way to confirm that you have anemia is through blood testing.
To test if your anemia is caused by sickle-celled RBCs, your may order a sickle cell test, hemoglobin electrophoresis and complete blood count (CBC).
Related Article:
References:
Sickle Cell Anemia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Sca/SCA_WhatIs.html. Accessed on November 23, 2010
Anemia. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html. Accessed on November 23, 2010
Ankle Sprain Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies
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| Lateral View of Right Ankle |
Ankle sprain is the most common type of sprain. In fact, more than 25,000 people in the United States sprain an ankle each day, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Muscoluskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).
Causes
Most cases of ankle sprain occur when your foot is twisted or turned inward while walking or running, during a fall, or landing on your ankle after a jump.
Twisting your ankle can cause too much stretching of your ankle ligaments resulting in pain. Sometimes, tearing of these ligaments can happen making it difficult for you to bear weight on your affected ankle.
Ankle Sprain Symptoms
Ankle sprain symptoms vary and depend on the severity of your injury. If you sprain your ankle, you may have pain, swelling, and bruising. You may have difficulty walking if minor tearing of your ankle ligaments occurs.
In severe cases of sprain, a “popping” sensation may be felt during the time of injury and bearing weight on your affected limb is impossible.
Home Remedies for Ankle Sprain – First Aid Treatment
Most minor ankle sprains can be managed by applying RICE therapy. RICE is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help relieve your pain. However, aspirin should not be given to children. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor what type of pain reliever is best for you and how much you should take at a time.
- Rest: You should rest or stop your activity when you injure your ankle if possible.
- Ice: Apply an ice pack on your injured ankle for not longer than 15-20 minutes at a time, four times a day. Make sure to wrap the pack in towel. Avoid applying the ice pack for more than 20 minutes to avoid frostbite. Do this while you are resting.
Applying ice immediately after you sprain your ankle can help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Avoid applying heat during the first 24-48 hours following your injury or when swelling is still present.- Compression: Compressing your injured ankle may help in reducing swelling. This can be done by making use of an elastic bandage. However, avoid wrapping the bandage too tight since this can limit blood flow to your foot.
Ask your doctor or physical therapist advice on how to properly apply the bandage on your injured ankle.- Elevation: As you rest, elevate your affected limb on a pillow, above the level of your heart. This can help reduce swelling.
When to see your doctor
RICE therapy can be effective for minor injuries. However, severe cases should be looked at by a qualified healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and prompt treatment.
You should consult your doctor if you:
- Have severe pain or are unable to walk a few steps because of significant pain.
- Observe an unusual lump on your affected limb.
- Are not sure about the severity of your injury.
Sprains and Strains. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp. Accessed on November 17, 2010
Sprains. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine (NLM). Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000041.htm. Accessed on November 17, 2010
Image Credit: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Vitamin B12 and Anemia
Vitamin B 12 or Cyanocobalamin comes from food of animal origin primarily meat, eggs or dairy products such as yogurt, cheese and milk. In the stomach, the B12 is absorbed with the help of gastric or stomach acid. Vit B12 is absorbed in the second part of the small intestines which is known as the ileum with the aid of intrinsic factor (IF) produced by special cells of the stomach known as parietal cells.
Vitamin B12 is essential for many aspects of health, including the production of red blood cells in the blood. It is necessary in DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also affect normal growth and development, the production of nerves, skin, hair and genes and normal metabolism.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be serious if untreated, because it can lead to decreased production of red blood cells in the blood. Healthy amounts of red blood cells are necessary for the proper delivery of necessary oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. A lack of sufficient amounts of red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency results in a serious complication called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
The symptoms of vitamin B12-deficiency anemia include:
If you have vitamin B12-deficiency anemia, you may also look pale or jaundiced (have a yellowy tinge to your skin and the whites of your eyes).
Like the symptoms of anemia, vitamin B12-deficiency may cause symptoms related to your nerves. This is called vitamin B12 neuropathy. It may affect your movement and sensation, especially in your legs, cause numbness or 'pins and needles' and decrease your sensitivity to touch, vibration or pain. It can also cause confusion, depression, poor concentration and forgetfulness.
Vitamin B12 deficiency maybe produced in several ways. The most common is a deficiency of intrinsic factor (Pernicious anemia). Another cause is failure to release B12 from binding proteins caused by severe deficiency in gastric acid. A third cause is other malabsorption syndrome involving the ileum e.g. overgrowth of bacteria in that part of the intestines.
Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition caused by antibodies from your immune system attacking your body. Your immune system mistakes your own tissue as foreign and attacks it, causing inflammation. If you have pernicious anaemia, the inflammation happens in the lining of your stomach. Thus, the cells that produce intrinsic factor are damaged.
To diagnose Vitamin B 12 deficiency, a blood sample must be taken to check the level of hemoglobin, the size of the RBC and Vitamin B12 Assays. The hemoglobin is decreased in Vitamin B12 deficiency. The RBC size is larger than normal (Normal RBC size is 7-8 micrometers). Vitamin B12 Assays reveals malabsorption of Vitamin B 12.
Vitamin B12-deficiency anemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12. To start with, you will have a course of injections, for example once a week for six weeks. After this, you may need repeated doses every three months or so. If you have pernicious anamia, you will need to have injections for the rest of your life.
Vitamin B12 injections can sometimes cause bruising and soreness where the needle was inserted. Other side-effects include feeling sick, headaches and dizziness, but these are rare.
References:
www.wrongdiagnosis.com> visited November 16,2010
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/ visited November 16,2010
Clinical Laboratory Medicine by Richard Ravel
Vitamin B12 is essential for many aspects of health, including the production of red blood cells in the blood. It is necessary in DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also affect normal growth and development, the production of nerves, skin, hair and genes and normal metabolism.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be serious if untreated, because it can lead to decreased production of red blood cells in the blood. Healthy amounts of red blood cells are necessary for the proper delivery of necessary oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. A lack of sufficient amounts of red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency results in a serious complication called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
The symptoms of vitamin B12-deficiency anemia include:
- feeling very tired
- breathlessness after little exercise
- palpitations - the sensation of feeling your heartbeat thumping in your chest
- headaches
- a reduced appetite
- a sore mouth and tongue
If you have vitamin B12-deficiency anemia, you may also look pale or jaundiced (have a yellowy tinge to your skin and the whites of your eyes).
Like the symptoms of anemia, vitamin B12-deficiency may cause symptoms related to your nerves. This is called vitamin B12 neuropathy. It may affect your movement and sensation, especially in your legs, cause numbness or 'pins and needles' and decrease your sensitivity to touch, vibration or pain. It can also cause confusion, depression, poor concentration and forgetfulness.
Vitamin B12 deficiency maybe produced in several ways. The most common is a deficiency of intrinsic factor (Pernicious anemia). Another cause is failure to release B12 from binding proteins caused by severe deficiency in gastric acid. A third cause is other malabsorption syndrome involving the ileum e.g. overgrowth of bacteria in that part of the intestines.
Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition caused by antibodies from your immune system attacking your body. Your immune system mistakes your own tissue as foreign and attacks it, causing inflammation. If you have pernicious anaemia, the inflammation happens in the lining of your stomach. Thus, the cells that produce intrinsic factor are damaged.
To diagnose Vitamin B 12 deficiency, a blood sample must be taken to check the level of hemoglobin, the size of the RBC and Vitamin B12 Assays. The hemoglobin is decreased in Vitamin B12 deficiency. The RBC size is larger than normal (Normal RBC size is 7-8 micrometers). Vitamin B12 Assays reveals malabsorption of Vitamin B 12.
Vitamin B12-deficiency anemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12. To start with, you will have a course of injections, for example once a week for six weeks. After this, you may need repeated doses every three months or so. If you have pernicious anamia, you will need to have injections for the rest of your life.
Vitamin B12 injections can sometimes cause bruising and soreness where the needle was inserted. Other side-effects include feeling sick, headaches and dizziness, but these are rare.
References:
www.wrongdiagnosis.com> visited November 16,2010
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/ visited November 16,2010
Clinical Laboratory Medicine by Richard Ravel
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