pernicious anemia
Malabsorptive blood disorder
Pernicious anemia is a condition where the body cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 to produce healthy red blood cells, typically because the stomach lacks a protein called intrinsic factor.
Without treatment, it causes fatigue, weakness, and neurological problems.
The word pernicious (meaning deadly or destructive) reflects how serious the disease was before B12 injections became available.
Weariness from prolonged exertion
- pallorUnhealthy facial whiteness
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- glossitisTongue inflammation disorder
- paresthesiaAbnormal skin sensation
neuropathy · shortness of breath · dizziness · cognitive impairment · numbness · tingling · ataxia · memory loss
Chronic stomach lining degeneration
- vitamin B12 deficiencyInadequate cobalamin levels
- cobalaminWater-soluble nerve vitamin
- malabsorptionFailed intestinal nutrient uptake
- autoantibodiesImmunoglobulins targeting self-antigens
gastrointestinal · autoimmunity · homocysteine · bone marrow · gastric bypass · gastrectomy
Intramuscular vitamin supplementation
- intramuscular injectionMedication into muscle tissue
- supplementationAdding to something insufficient
- blood transfusionInfusing donated cells intravenously
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
fatigue
Weariness from prolonged exertion
paresthesia · neuropathy · shortness of breath · dizziness · cognitive impairment · numbness · tingling · ataxia · memory loss · depression
atrophic gastritis
Chronic stomach lining degeneration
- vitamin B12 deficiencyInadequate cobalamin levels
- cobalaminWater-soluble nerve vitamin
- malabsorptionFailed intestinal nutrient uptake
autoantibodies · gastrointestinal · autoimmunity · homocysteine · bone marrow · gastric bypass · gastrectomy
B12 injections
Intramuscular vitamin supplementation
- intramuscular injectionMedication into muscle tissue
- supplementationAdding to something insufficient
- blood transfusionInfusing donated cells intravenously
monitoring · hematologist · gastroenterologist · complete blood count
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