One of the main symptoms of pernicious anemia, caused by lack of vitamin B12, is the feeling of being in the middle of a fog, being a difficult feeling to explain in which one feels lack of concentration and clarity in everything that is happening around.
Often this sensation is described as being in the middle of a very heavy fog in which the body has difficulty responding to what one wishes to do.
In addition, other very common symptoms such as:
- Excessive tiredness and difficult to explain;
- Feeling of shortness of breath;
- Swollen tongue;
- Feeling of full stomach;
- Pallor;
- Weak nails that break easily;
- Irritability, impatience, or sudden mood swings;
- Decreased libido.
Another quite common symptom is the desire to eat something out of the ordinary, such as earth or leaves, for example. This appetite change is known as pica and usually arises when the body needs some vitamins and minerals.
In more advanced cases of pernicious anemia, nerve damage can occur, causing a tingling sensation in various parts of the body, especially hands and feet.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of pernicious anemia can be made through physical examination and assessment of family history, since this type of anemia is common in several members of the same family. In addition, a blood test may be needed to evaluate the amount of red blood cells that is reduced in anemia.
In addition, the doctor may also order a urine test to evaluate the amount of vitamin B12 in the body, because the decrease in red blood cells only indicates anemia, which can also happen for other reasons. See the main types of anemia.
In some cases, the physician may diagnose anemia and recommend iron supplementation without assessing B12 levels. This is because iron deficiency anemia is the most common; however, when anemia does not heal, even with supplementation, the doctor may begin to suspect other types of anemia and request further tests.
How Pernicious Anemia Occurs
Pernicious anemia occurs when there is a lack of vitamin B12 in the body because this vitamin is very important for the production of healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen in the blood.
However, this decrease in the amount of vitamin B12 can have several causes such as:
- Food poor in vitamin B12 : it is more common in vegetarians because the foods richest in vitamin B12 are meat, milk, eggs and cheeses, for example;
- Reduction of the stomach, as in the case of bariatric surgeries: this type of procedure decreases the stomach's ability to absorb some vitamins and minerals;
- Chronic inflammation of the stomach, as in gastritis or ulcer: the inflamed lining of the stomach reduces the absorption of vitamins;
- Lack of intrinsic factor : it is a protein that helps the stomach to absorb vitamin B12 more easily and may be decreased in some people.
Although it is a problem that causes several symptoms, pernicious anemia can be easily treated in about 1 month with adequate vitamin B12 supplementation. Learn more about treating this type of anemia.
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