What Are The Medications For Mediterranean Anemia? How is Mediterranean Anemia Treated? We have compiled some information you need to know about the causes of Mediterranean anemia.
What Are The Medications For Mediterranean Anemia? How to Treat Mediterranean Anemia?
Mediterranean anemia, which occurs when the body produces less hemoglobin protein than necessary due to a genetic deformation, means there are fewer healthy red blood cells in the blood. In the content of our article, you, our dear friends, can find detailed answers to the questions “causes of Mediterranean anemia” and “How is Mediterranean anemia treated?” So What are the symptoms of Mediterranean anemia?
When hemoglobin, the important building block of red blood cells, is insufficient, red blood cells cannot fully perform their functions and the lifespan of these cells is shortened. This means there are fewer healthy red blood cells in the blood. In Mediterranean anemia, a deficiency or disorder develops in the production of one of the globin chains that form the homoglobin molecule, the production of which is controlled by genes. Whichever of the two globin chains is defective, the disease is named after it and is classified as alpha or beta thalassemia. Mediterranean anemia is the name given to the beta thalassemia form of the disease.
Since red blood cells carry the oxygen necessary for tissues, in cases where there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the blood, problems occur in the transportation of oxygen to the cells and anemia occurs. In this situation, the person may generally feel tired and weak, and conditions such as shortness of breath may occur. Mediterranean anemia, which is a genetic disease, is different from iron deficiency anemia. People with Mediterranean anemia may be carriers or patients and may not benefit from standard iron treatments. You can find more detailed information about the symptoms of Mediterranean anemia by continuing our article.
What are the Causes of Mediterranean Anemia?
Mediterranean Anemia Symptoms
Mediterranean anemia can be easily detected with screening tests. Screening tests should definitely be performed especially in families with a history of the disease. In addition, the disease can be detected when individuals who are carriers apply to the hospital with symptoms of anemia. Symptoms of major Mediterranean anemia occur in infancy and are found in a more advanced spectrum. Weakness, anemia, pale skin, jaundice, loss of appetite, abdominal swelling caused by enlargement of the liver or spleen, widening and thinning of the bones, flattened nasal bridge, prominent forehead and other facial bones, and developmental delay are among the symptoms that facilitate diagnosis, especially in children. In the presence of this condition, complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis and genetic screening are performed on the parents and the child.
In intermedia cases, individuals may experience various symptoms in childhood or adulthood. However, the disease is milder. These individuals may also experience moderate anemia, slow growth, and bone deformities. Mediterranean anemia occurs due to mutations in the HBB genes, which are responsible for the production of beta globin protein, one of the building blocks of red blood cells. In beta globin deficiency, the number of healthy hemoglobin in the blood decreases. In this case, blood cells cannot develop normally. In the absence of healthy blood cells, anemia and other complications related to it occur.
Mediterranean anemia is a common disease in Mediterranean countries, including Turkey. An average of 365,000 Mediterranean anemia patients are born each year. While there are an average of 4,500 thalassemia patients in Turkey, it is known that 1,300,000 people are carriers of this disease. Mediterranean anemia is one of the most common genetic diseases in Turkey. The carrier frequency is estimated to be around 2.1%. In Adana and Antalya, the frequency of beta thalassemia can be as high as 13%. The regions where Mediterranean anemia is most common in the world are Mediterranean countries, North Africa, the Middle East, India, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
How is Mediterranean Anemia Treated?
While carriers of Mediterranean anemia often do not require treatment, patients with major Mediterranean anemia must receive lifelong treatment. Mediterranean anemia is a very expensive treatment. These patients need blood support every 3 or 4 weeks. However, blood transfusions to patients to eliminate anemia can lead to iron accumulation in the body and therefore various complications. Organs such as the heart, liver, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas and spleen can be damaged during this treatment. Diabetes, heart failure, developmental disorders or hormonal imbalances may occur.
There are 3 basic treatment methods in moderate and severe Mediterranean anemia cases. The first of these is blood transfusions for patients with major Mediterranean anemia. In order to prevent iron accumulation in blood transfusions, chelation therapy is applied. The third treatment method is stem cell therapy, which is performed with stem cells taken from a suitable donor. Gene transplantation, which is an innovative treatment, has not yet reached the application stage.
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