{"id":18819,"date":"2020-07-03T15:22:39","date_gmt":"2020-07-03T15:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roadtolivingwhole.com\/?p=18819"},"modified":"2020-07-03T15:22:39","modified_gmt":"2020-07-03T15:22:39","slug":"pernicious-anemia-deficiency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roadtolivingwhole.com\/pernicious-anemia-deficiency\/","title":{"rendered":"Pernicious Anemia: The Little-Known Deficiency That Could Be Making You Ill"},"content":{"rendered":"
Medical science has developed in recent years to such an extent that the average person in the street could probably talk confidently about a few health issues and their treatment options. In the last several months, this has probably only increased, as pandemic responses have made us all evaluate our own vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, there are still conditions that affect more than a few people, and which most of us could not name. Of these, pernicious anemia is one that absolutely merits more of a focus.<\/span><\/p>\n You may hear pernicious anemia referred to as a \u201cvitamin B12 deficiency\u201d; while this is true, it is somewhat of an oversimplification. To better understand this <\/span>autoimmune condition<\/span><\/a>, and why we should focus more on it, let\u2019s get into some of the facts.<\/span><\/p>\n As indicated above, this condition <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> a deficiency in <\/span>vitamin B12<\/span><\/a>. More specifically, it is the deficiency that arises when our bodies do not have enough of a compound known as \u201cintrinsic factor\u201d (IF), which allows us to absorb the vitamin and other nutrients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The first clinical indication that an individual has pernicious anemia will usually be a low marker for B12 on standard blood tests. Follow-up tests for intrinsic factor can confirm that the cause of the deficiency is as expected, and will be enough for a diagnosis of pernicious anemia.<\/span><\/p>\n Left unchecked, the damage that can be done by pernicious anemia is very serious indeed. Initially, the <\/span>symptoms<\/span><\/a> include tiredness, depression, and headaches. If it progresses, there are signs that it increases the risk of organ damage, certain cancers (particularly stomach cancer), and even dementia. Without treatment, eventually pernicious anemia can be fatal<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s the tricky thing. \u201cPernicious\u201d means causing damage over a prolonged spell; this form of anemia can do a lot of damage because many of its unpleasant effects can be put down to everyday causes. Symptoms may be as banal as fatigue and clumsiness. You may find yourself becoming irritable more easily, or experience the phenomenon known as \u201cbrain fog\u201d. More noticeable symptoms include mouth ulcers, nerve and muscle pain or diarrhea – but you shouldn\u2019t wait for those to occur before seeking help.<\/span><\/p>\nSo, what exactly<\/i> is pernicious anemia?<\/h2>\n
How do you know if you have it?<\/h2>\n
How serious is it?<\/h2>\n
What should I be looking out for?<\/h2>\n
Do I need to go through all those tests?<\/h2>\n