What are the symptoms of pernicious anemia?

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And what are the possible causes?
Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, a substance needed to absorb vitamin B-12 from the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin B-12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. Intrinsic factor is a protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B-12. When stomach secretions do not have enough intrinsic factor, vitamin B-12 is not absorbed well. This results in pernicious anemia and other problems related to low levels of vitamin B-12.

Nerve and blood cells need vitamin B-12 to function properly, so deficiency can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, tingling sensations, difficulty walking, and diarrhea.

It's easily treated with B-12 injections monthly.  (+ info)

What could be all the causes of pernicious anemia and are there more than one type.? Is?

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there a definitive test besides the shilling which most places don't do. I will not hold you responsible for your medical anwer.
Pernicious anemia tends to run in families. Pernicious anemia is caused by deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Folic acid, a vitamin that is necessary for normal RBC production is stored as compounds referred to as folate. The folate stores in the body are much smaller than vitamin B12 and they are quickly depleted when dietary intake of folate is deficient. Folate is found in green leafy vegetables and liver. Folate deficiency occurs in people who eat vegetables rarely. Also, one precipitating factor of folate deficiency is alcoholism. As for vitamin B12 deficiency, it occurs in people who are strict vegetarians and not consuming meat or any dairy products. The body has normally large stores of vitamin B12, so years may pass before the deficiency occurs. Because the body compensates so well, anemia can be severe before the patient becomes symptomatic. For unknown reason, people w/ pernicious anemias have higher incidence of gastric cancer. So you better have endoscopies at regular intervals like every 1-2 years to screen for early gastric cancer.

Aside from Schilling's test there is intrinsic factor antibody test. This is more easier than Schilling's test. Unfortunately, this test is not specific for pernicious anemia alone, but it can aid in the diagnosis.

I hope that it helps. Try to seek medical assistance regarding that.  (+ info)

How much money would it cost for a docter to check for pernicious anemia?

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For a 15 yr. old kid who doesn't have a medical card, or anything like that?
Most states offer insurance for children if their parents qualify for the income level. You might want to check that out.

Otherwise, start with the school nurse and let her know your symptoms and concerns, even about no insurance. Schools have connections to social workers who can assist you or lead you in the right direction.

My grandmother had this anemia and took monthly B-12 shots for 20 years. No problems at all once she started that. The shots were about $10 each.  (+ info)

Question for people suffering with pernicious anemia?

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I am doing a project on pernicious anemia and I need to know what influence this illness can have on a family if someone is suffering from it? Please help!
In pernicious anemia, stomach cells do not secrete adequate Intrinsic Factor (IF) to transport Vit. B12 from digested red meat into your intestine blood vessels. So, the body lacks Vit. B12 and you must take shots of Vit B12 so that your red blood cells (RBCs) can be formed to carry oxygen to bodily tissues. Without Oxygen your bodily cells, you have a lack of oxidation process that is needed for energy formation. Fatigue is a common symptom. Vitamin B12 injections and sublingual (under tongue) Vitamin B12 can be used to treat. A family member may be trained to give the injections and the family may need to understand that the patient can become tired easily. Also, it is important to understand that this can be a genetic disease. Risk factors include a family history of pernicious anemia, Scandinavian or Northern European descent, and a history of autoimmune endocrine disorders.  (+ info)

Are there meds can I take for Pernicious and Microcytic anemia?

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I have been monitoring my blood and discovered I have both these anemias. I'm already taking B-12 shots. Right foods doesn't seem to help (lot's of iron, etc...) and I'm sure when the results come back, Doc will put me on meds. I'm tired of being tired all the time!!!

What meds have people taken or things you've done that have helped you?
WTC, Johnson? That's not an answer.
Synonyms and related keywords: acute anemia, hemorrhage, hemorrhagic shock, hemolysis, malaise, fatigue, dyspnea, GI bleed, ectopic pregnancy, esophageal varices, sickle cell anemia, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, Cooley anemia, thalassemia, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, HUS, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, TTP, chronic anemia, blood loss, iron deficiency anemia, trauma, hemoglobinopathy, RBC enzyme abnormality, congenital coagulopathy, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, acquired platelet disorder, disseminated intravascular coagulation, DIC
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic808.htm  (+ info)

I have pernicious anemia does it cause bone marrow problems?

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Do I need to have my heart, lungs, and stomach regulary checked?
You should be getting treatment for your condition: Vitamin B12, either oral or by injection.
Pernicious anemia does not cause bone marrow problems.
You may have had a stomach endoscopy as part of the workup for your condition, but you only need to have your blood regularly checked for pernicious anemia. You should have regular checkups too, though, and they will listen to your heart and lungs at that time.  (+ info)

If a person with pernicious anemia was hurt (burned,slapped,ect) would they feel it?

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Because I heard that people with pernicious anemia have bad stimuli's or whatever they are, and they can't feel it whenever things touch 'em?
Well, I don't know if things can be narrowed down that specifically, but people with pernicious anemia commonly have neurological complications.

What happens is that they lose nerve fibers and myelin in the dorsal columns (which convey sense of touch and proprioception i.e. sense of position relative to surroundings) and lateral horn (which conveys autonomic function e.g. sympathetic drive) of the spinal cord and cerebral cortex.

Specifically they may show
- unsteady gait
- clumsiness
- paresthesias - i.e. sense of numbness, prickling, or tingling
- neurological symptoms worsened when in the dark

Pain however, is more so conveyed by the anterolateral system which in the spinal cord is located in a different location compared to the lateral horn and dorsal columns.  (+ info)

How does bacteria help with the prevention of Pernicious Anemia?

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There are friendly bacteria in gut and they may help  (+ info)

What is the difference between Pernicious Anemia and B12 Anemia?

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Pernicious anemia is a form of megaloblastic anemia that is caused by lack of INTRINSIC FACTOR (which is secreted by the parietal cells in the stomach.)

Intrinsic factor is required to absorb B12... so lack of intrinsic factor causes B12 deficiency, which then causes megaloblastic anemia IE: Pernicious anemia.

B12 deficiency can arise for other reasons (eg: deficient diet, insufficient stomach acid preventing proper protein digestion.) If the intrinsic factor levels are normal, it would still be megaloblastic anemia. But it would NOT be percious anemia.

Make sense?  (+ info)

Can people with pernicious anemia play sports like tennis?

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I was just asking, because I've heard that people with pernicious anemia, well their back deteriorates....and that people in wheelchairs can play basketball....so can a person with pernicious anemia still play tennis? It doesn't matter if they're in a wheelchair/not, just please answer the question

=]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pernicious_anemia  (+ info)

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