Health & Care Information If you or your loved ones are suffering from breathlessness and rapid heart rate you immediately need to consult a physician. Because you may be a victim of Anisocytosis, a medical condition affecting blood cells. Below in this article you will find useful information about Anisocytosis, its causes, symptoms and treatment for early diagnosis of this medical condition.
Anisocytosis Definition
Anisocytosis is a medical condition in which the red blood cells present different sizes. This normally happens when the patient suffers from Anemia, Thalassemia or any other disorder of blood cells. It is diagnosed through blood testing. The name Anisocytosis comes from two different words, “aniso” meaning “unequal”, and “cytosis” which has a reference to cells.
Anisocytosis Causes
Erythropoiesis (development of RBCs) begins in red bone marrow. Erythropoietin hormone secreted by kidneys stimulates red bone marrow for production of RBCs and maturation factors such as vitamin B12, folic acid and iron facilitate to mature the RBCs. In anisocytosis, the RBCs are under developed and its most common causes are given below:
Folic acid Deficiency
Folic acid is essential for synthesis of DNA. Deficiency of folic acid leads to abnormal and immature DNA and therefore leads to failure of nuclear maturation and difference in RBCs size.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Like iron Vitamin B12 is another vital component that body requires to make red blood cells. Lack of Vitamin B12 leads to decreased production of red blood cells causing pernicious anaemia. This can ultimately give rise to Anisocytosis.
Pernicious anemia
It is an abnormality in gastric mucosa that fails to produce normal gastric secretions and thus fails to produce intrinsic factors. Vitamin B12 is incapable to work well in deficiency of intrinsic factors.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Myelodysplastic Syndrome give rise to abnormalities in the bone marrow and blood and results in the formation of uneven sized blood cells. This is also a condition causing Anisocytosis.
Lack of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an important nutrient required by the body to fight against diseases. Lack of Vitamin A also results in irregular size of the red blood cells.
Blood Transfusion
Blood transfusion can be a main cause behind Anisocytosis and a lot care may be needed during the process. A test should be performed to ensure whether the size of the red blood cells in the transfused blood is same as that present in the body. However, Anisocytosis caused by blood transfusion is temporary in nature.
Anisocytosis Symptoms
The fundamental function of Red Blood Cell is to carry oxygen and nutrients to all body tissues. Generally, the sizes of the RBCs are the same and they efficiently hold and carry oxygen and nutrients. In case of anisocytosis, the RBCs are unequal and due to this reason the efficiency of holding and carrying of oxygen and nutrients are lessen. This affects whole physiological system and leads to the following symptoms:
Tiredness
Tiredness and exhaustion are the notable features of anisocytosis. Patient easily gets tired even with slight exertion and has less energy to perform routine activities.
Breathlessness
Patients suffering from anisocytosis frequently experience Breathlessness even with least activities.
Pale skin
People affected from anisocytosis usually have an obvious paleness of skin. The paleness can mostly be seen nail beds and eye balls.
Increased heart rate
Rapid heartbeat is experienced even in the absence of any physical activity that triggers heart beat. Rapid heartbeat is linked to experience of tiredness and fatigue.
Anisocytosis condition is quite common with anemia and heart failure. So it is better to consult a doctor and perform the appropriate test to detect Anisocytosis. If you see the above symptoms it is important to perform a detailed assessment through Microscopic analysis of the red blood cells, Blood smear and Red blood cell distribution width.
Anisocytosis Treatment
There is no particular treatment for Anisocytosis. The anisocytosis treatment goal is proposed according to the underlying condition that influences the onset of anisocytosis including the relief of symptoms. The cure for Anisocytosis tends to vary because its causes vary from person to person. Anisocytosis is not a disease in itself but a symptom of some other condition in most cases. This makes its treatment relatively tricky in most cases. But, finding out the correct condition causing it and treating it appropriately can lead to speedy recovery.
The extent to which the disease is curable entirely depends on its cause. If Vitamin deficiency is the cause of the disease in any individual, vitamin supplements needs to be provided. Similarly Supplementation of Vitamin B12 and Folic acids helps to ease the symptoms if anisocytosis occur due to deficiency of Vitamin B12 or Folic acids.
Anisocytosis generally involves no life risks. Yet, the situation causes a lot of physical distress and may lead to other complicated disorders. so its better to seek treatment as soon as the symptoms are noted.
