What should I eat if I occasionally feel dizzy due to thalassemia?

Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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Patients with thalassemia who experience dizziness typically indicate worsening anemia, and can take folic acid tablets orally. Folic acid is an important raw material for the production of red blood cells, and supplementing with folic acid aids in the recovery from anemia. Thalassemia is a hereditary hemolytic anemia, and there is currently no specific drug for its treatment; it is primarily managed symptomatically. If the anemia is severe, red blood cell transfusions may also be used to correct the anemia. Additionally, severe thalasemia may consider allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Apart from anemia, further investigations should be conducted to rule out cervical spondylosis, cerebrovascular diseases, and otolithiasis when dealing with dizziness in thalassemia patients.

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The difference between iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia

Iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia have similarities in that both are classified as microcytic hypochromic anemia. However, iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia are two distinct diseases that require further differential diagnosis. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by iron deficiency, often due to chronic blood loss, and it can be cured if the cause is removed and iron supplementation treatment is provided. Thalassemia is a genetic disease with hereditary factors, and there is no particularly effective treatment; iron supplementation is ineffective. Treatment mainly involves red blood cell transfusions and is not curable.

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What tests are for thalassemia?

Thalassemia firstly requires genetic diagnosis through a series of techniques such as DNA restriction endonuclease map PCR, which identify the genotype of thalassemia. Secondly, hemoglobin electrophoresis needs to be completed. Through complete hemoglobin electrophoresis, it can discriminate between silent gene carriers and those with thalassemia, hemoglobin H disease, and hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome. Additionally, a significant increase in hemoglobin A2 in overt thalassemia also has certain specificity. Thirdly, a complete bone marrow picture is necessary, which will match the bone marrow picture of hemolytic anemia. There is pronounced erythroid hyperplasia, positive iron staining, and an increase in sideroblastic erythroblasts. Fourthly, a complete blood count is needed. Different types of blood counts show different levels of hemoglobin reduction. In mild thalassemia and thalassemia traits, hemoglobin is mostly normal or mildly decreased. In severe thalassemia, hemoglobin is generally below 50 grams per liter, indicating a severe anemic state. Blood smears might show anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and target cells. It is common to see nucleated erythrocytes and reticulocytes significantly increased, which matches the signs of hemolytic anemia. Fifth, iron metabolism testing needs to be completed. By improving iron metabolism testing, it serves as a discriminant for silent gene carriers, as well as those with thalassemia traits and patients with mild thalassemia based on serum iron, iron saturation, and serum ferritin concentration. Sixth, X-ray examination needs to be completed. Severe thalassemia features typical hair-on-end changes, visible as vertical striations between the trabeculae of the cortical bone in the skull X-rays, resembling upright hair and rays of sunlight.

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Hematology
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Dietary Considerations for Thalassemia

Thalassemia, also known as hemoglobin synthesis disorder anemia, is a genetic disease that falls under the category of genetic disorders. It is caused by abnormalities in the genes related to globin, leading to a deficiency in globin quantity, which in turn causes thalassemia. Since thalassemia is a genetic disorder, there are no specific dietary considerations. The severity of thalassemia is also defined by the number of affected genes; the fewer the affected genes, the milder the condition.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What are the harms of thalassemia?

The harm caused by thalassemia mainly comes from two aspects: one is the damage caused by anemia itself; the other aspect is that thalassemia is a hereditary disease, which can pass the pathogenic genes to the next generation. The damage from anemia can affect the nervous system, manifesting as dizziness, headache, brain fog, and tinnitus; in severe cases, it can lead to acute cerebral infarction. The cardiovascular system can be affected by reduced exercise tolerance, chest tightness and shortness of breath after activity, palpitations, and inability to lie flat at night; in severe cases, it can even cause acute myocardial infarction. The inheritance of thalassemia to the next generation depends on how many pathogenic genes are passed from both parents. The more pathogenic genes inherited, the more severe the thalassemia. Severe cases of thalassemia often result in death shortly after birth.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
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What to do and what to eat for dizziness caused by thalassemia?

Patients with thalassemia who experience dizziness first need to analyze the cause of the dizziness. The vast majority of causes of dizziness are not related to diet, nor can they be corrected by eating certain foods. For patients with thalassemia experiencing dizziness, it is first necessary to consider whether the cause is worsening anemia. A drop in hemoglobin can lead to ischemia and hypoxia in the body, which can manifest as symptoms of dizziness in the nervous system. If it is confirmed that the dizziness is caused by worsening anemia, then blood transfusion treatment is needed, usually requiring the transfusion of washed red cells. Once the anemia is corrected, the symptoms of dizziness can disappear. At the same time, folic acid supplements can be added to provide raw materials for hematopoiesis. Other possible causes of dizziness include diseases such as cranial, cervical spine, and otolithiasis, all of which require further differential diagnosis. (The use of drugs should be carried out under the guidance of a physician)