Pale eye mucosa, is it due to anemia?

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1. Is pale eye mucosa due to anemia or not?

When the lower eyelid is pulled down, the inner lining of the eyelid looks lighter than the normal pinkish red color. It could be because you are anemic. Because in anemia, the amount of hemoglobin will decrease. This is what gives red blood cells their red color. As a result, the capillaries, venules and even the lining of the eye will be paler than usual. Besides observing the eye mucosa, there are many symptoms that help to warn early of anemia. So what is anemia? What are the signs and treatment of anemia? The following sections will help readers better understand this disease.

2. What is anemia?

According to the World Health Organization, anemia is a condition in which the number and size of red blood cells or the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) are below the threshold value, which leads to a decrease in the body's ability to carry oxygen. Accordingly, anemia is defined as Hb < 13 g/dl for adult men and Hb < 12 g/dl for adult, non-pregnant women. According to a broader definition, anemia is a decrease in one or more parameters of the red blood cell line, that is, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell volume (Hct) or red blood cell count (RBC). Based on the morphology, size and color of red blood cells, anemia can be divided into 3 types, including:
Macrocytic, hyperchromic anemia: common in cases of vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency due to gastrectomy. Stomach, cirrhosis, inadequate supply of vitamin B12, folic acid Hypochromic small red blood cell anemia: common in diseases such as hemorrhoids, peptic ulcer, uterine fibroids, stomach cancer, lung cancer bronchiectasis, hookworm, poor nutrition in children, pregnant women. Normal red blood cell anemia: common in cases of acute blood loss such as haemorrhage, vascular accident, visceral rupture, ectopic pregnancy, uterine rupture...

3. Causes of anemia

Determining the cause of anemia is important to establish the appropriate treatment regimen for the patient. In general, the causes of anemia can be classified into 3 types, including:
3.1 Due to reduced red blood cell production Anorexia, picky eating, unbalanced diet that does not provide enough blood-forming materials such as: lack of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12. Certain conditions that cause bone marrow suppression or chemotherapy or radiation therapy can lead to decreased production of blood cells that cause anemia. Due to kidney failure, it reduces the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates blood formation in the bone marrow 3.2 Due to increased destruction of red blood cells Some drugs cause red blood cell breakdown such as quinine, quinidine, methyldopa, penicillin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel Poisoning copper, lead Malaria, Toxoplasma infection, severe infections... Mother-child blood group incompatibility in newborns causes red blood cell breakdown, anemia, jaundice (due to increased indirect bilirubin when red blood cells burst). Hypersplenism Immune hemolysis Deficiency of G6PD enzyme on red blood cell membranes
3.3 Due to blood loss, hemorrhage Due to trauma, accident Hemorrhagic conditions include: gastrointestinal bleeding due to infectious diseases such as dysentery, necrotizing enterocolitis, Dengue hemorrhagic fever .... Vitamin K deficiency Infants are prone to cerebral hemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding. Worm infection...

4. What are the symptoms of anemia?

Symptoms of anemia are:
Blue skin, pale palms and feet, pale eye lining Poor concentration when studying, working, poor mobility, less flexibility Fatigue, flowers eyes, dizziness Rapid breathing, shallow breathing, palpitations, palpitations, chest tightness, tachycardia Anorexia, weight loss. Children are prone to slow growth in weight and height. Iron-deficiency anemia patients may have tongue pain, glossitis, loss of tongue spines, fingernails deformed with spoon-shaped concave concave shape, brittle hair, etc. Some cases of anemia caused by stomach bleeding often have symptoms of black stools, epigastric pain, belching, heartburn Patients with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia may have neurological symptoms such as numbness, colds, vision changes, restlessness, irritability, memory loss, depression,... If anemia is prolonged, the patient may also have edema of the legs, women have amenorrhea, and men are affected. impotent.

5. How is anemia treated?

5.1 Cases of Iron Deficiency Anemia It is necessary to find and treat the cause of iron deficiency anemia. Oral iron is the first and effective treatment option in cases of iron deficiency anemia. The usual therapeutic dose in adults is 150-200mg elemental iron/day, divided into 2-3 divided doses for better tolerability. Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach. Therefore, iron tablets should be taken at a time away from meals (1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal). Add iron-rich foods such as meat, liver, fish, cereals, beans, dark green vegetables (water spinach, spinach, spinach)... Vitamin C can enhance iron absorption. Vitamin C is abundant in oranges, lemons, guava, kiwi,... Therefore, vitamin C, orange juice, and lemon should be taken with meals or when taking iron tablets to increase iron absorption. On the contrary, some substances can reduce iron absorption such as phytate, phosphate, calcium (found in cereals and milk) and polyphenols (found in tea and some vegetables). Therefore, it is necessary to use these substances in moderation and away from the time of iron supply. 5.2 Folic acid deficiency anemia (vitamin B9) Folic acid deficiency anemia is often accompanied by iron deficiency. When folic acid alone does not improve much, combination iron therapy should be considered. Women of childbearing age should take daily folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects in children and reduce the risk of folic acid deficiency anemia in children. Folic acid is abundant in dark vegetables such as spinach, citrus fruits and protein-rich foods such as meat, liver, fish eggs, beans, etc. It should be noted that folic acid is very easily lost in the body. 50-90% cooking process, not even when cooking at high temperature, too much water or too long time.
5.3 Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia Patients need early treatment because neurological complications caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are often difficult to detect and irreversible if not detected and treated promptly. Oral or parenteral vitamin B12 can be used in cases of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. The daily oral dose is 1000-2000 mcg, which is as effective as the intramuscular route. In severe cases, intramuscular vitamin B12 may be used, the usual dose is 1000 mcg/day for 1 week to saturate the B12 stores and treat complications; This dose is then given once a week for 1 month and then a monthly injection for maintenance. Increase vitamin B12-rich foods such as fish, eggs, milk, beef, chicken, pork, cheese, clams, oysters... In short, anemia is a common clinical condition, can be signs of organ damage or the result of another medical condition. Mild anemia often has no symptoms and is discovered incidentally. Severe anemia will have obvious symptoms, affecting daily activities, reducing quality of life, increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, when there are signs of anemia such as pale skin, rapid breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness, pale eye mucosa, etc., patients should immediately go to medical facilities to be diagnosed. and quick treatment.
Periodic health check-ups help to detect diseases early, so that there are treatment plans for optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy.
Results of the patient's examination will be returned to the home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

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