Information On Children And Teens
While children have been less affected by COVID-19 compared with adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and some children develop severe illness. Children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness compared to children without underlying medical conditions. Current evidence on which underlying medical conditions in children are associated with increased risk is limited. Current evidence suggests that children with medical complexity, with genetic, neurologic, metabolic conditions, or with congenital heart disease can be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Similar to adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression can also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. One way to protect the health of children is to ensure that all adults in a household are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Symptoms Of Mild To Moderate Anemia That Develop Slowly
When anemia is mild or develops slowly, symptoms may not be noticeable at first because the body may be able to adjust to a slow decline in red blood cells. Symptoms can also be mild or vague. Symptoms can include:
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Difficulties with memory and concentration
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Mild shortness of breath with exertion that goes away with rest
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Pale skin
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blood
High Levels Of Iron In The Lung Linked To Increased Asthma Severity
- Date:
- European Lung Foundation
- Summary:
- Iron build-up in the lung cells and tissues is associated with worse asthma symptoms and lower lung function, according to new research. The researchers say that the study, which includes data from asthma patient samples and mouse models, is the first to definitively show a relationship between iron build-up in the lung cells and tissues and the severity of asthma.
Iron build-up in the lung cells and tissues is associated with worse asthma symptoms and lower lung function, according to new research published in the European Respiratory Journal.
The researchers say that the study, which includes data from asthma patient samples and mouse models, is the first to definitively show a relationship between iron build-up in the lung cells and tissues and the severity of asthma.
Experimental models also showed that iron build-up in the lungs triggers immune system responses that are typical in asthma and lead to worsening of the disease. This includes effects like increased mucus secretion and scarring of the lungs, which result in narrowing of the airways and making breathing difficult.
The researchers conducted multiple tests to asses iron levels in the airway cell samples and found that iron levels outside of the lung cells were lower in asthma patients compared with healthy people; iron levels were also significantly lower in severe asthmatics compared with mild-to-moderate asthmatics.
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Relationships Between Iron Status And Lung Function And Pulmonary Inflammation
Ten-fold increases in sTfR or the sTfR-F Index were associated with a significant decrease in FEV1 percent predicted and-2.1 , respectively) . Increases in both sTfR and the sTfR-F Index were also associated with significant decreases in FEF 2575 percent predicted . These relationships were consistently present in models using actual rather than percent predicted spirometric values . Neither sTfR nor the sTfR-F Index was associated with FeNO levels.
What Causes Low Hemoglobin And Hematocrit
If the lifespan of the RBC is disrupted, it may result in low hemoglobin and hematocrit. The normal lifespan of an RBC is only about 120 days, and this is created in the bone marrow.
There are two main causes of anemia
- A decrease in RBC or hemoglobin production
- An increase in RBC loss or destruction.
Anemia may also be classified based on the mean corpuscular volume
- MCV less than 80 means that you have microcytic anemia;
- MCV within 80 to 100 means that you have normocytic anemia; and
- MCV is higher than 80 means that you have macrocytic anemia.
One of the most common causes of anemia is iron deficiency. This is because one of the major components of hemoglobin is iron, and it is also crucial for it to function properly. If you are experiencing chronic blood loss, your iron level will become low.
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Causes Of Anemic Hypoxia
In the setting of anemia, low hemoglobin levels result in a reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen that is breathed in, and hence, a diminished supply of oxygen available to the tissues. Causes include:
- Anemia of any cause:;This can include iron deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, and chemotherapy-induced anemia.
- Hemorrhage:;Hemorrhage can be obvious, such as from injuries sustained in an accident, or hidden due to internal bleeding.
- Methemoglobinemia:;Methemoglobinemia, also known as affinity hypoxia, is an abnormal hemoglobin;that doesn’t bind oxygen very well.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning:;With carbon monoxide poisoning, hemoglobin is unable to bind oxygen.
What Does It Mean When Your Hemoglobin And Hematocrit Are Low
Around 37 percent to 49 percent of your bloods volume is made up of RBCs. Usually, a complete blood count makes a hematocrit a part thereof. But other components are taken into consideration to determine the proper result, such as hemoglobin, RBC count, RBC indices, reticulocyte count. Other factors, such as sex, age, and race, are also taken into account.
If you have low hematocrit with low hemoglobin, this is usually a sign that you have anemia. Other reasons may include;
- Destruction of RBCs like hemolytic anemia
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What Is Being Tested
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells that gives the cells their characteristic red color. Hemoglobin enables RBCs to bind to oxygen in the lungs and carry it to tissues and organs throughout the body. It also helps transport a small portion of carbon dioxide, a product of cell metabolism, from tissues and organs to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
The hemoglobin test measures the amount of
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells that gives the cells their characteristic red color. Hemoglobin enables RBCs to bind to oxygen in the lungs and carry it to tissues and organs throughout the body. It also helps transport a small portion of carbon dioxide, a product of cell metabolism, from tissues and organs to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
The hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin your sample of blood. A hemoglobin level can be performed alone or with a hematocrit, a test that measures the proportion of blood that is made up of RBCs, to evaluate your red blood cells. It is also one component of the complete blood count , a group of tests that are often used in the general evaluation of your health.
Several diseases and conditions can affect RBCs and consequently the level of hemoglobin in the blood. In general, the hemoglobin level and hematocrit rise when the number of red blood cells increases. The hemoglobin level and hematocrit fall to less than normal when there is a decrease in RBCs.
Signs And Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency
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Iron deficiency occurs when your body doesnt have enough of the mineral iron.
Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen around the body.
If your body doesnt have enough hemoglobin, your tissues and muscles wont get enough oxygen to be able to work effectively. This leads to a condition called anemia.
Although there are different types of anemia, iron deficiency anemia is the most common worldwide .
Common causes of iron deficiency include:
- inadequate iron intake due to a diet that doesnt provide the daily nutritional needs or thats heavily restricted
- increased iron requirements during pregnancy
- blood loss through heavy periods or internal bleeding
Iron deficiency can result in symptoms that can affect your quality of life. These include shortness of breath, tiredness, and reduced concentration (
Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency vary depending on:
- the severity of the anemia
- how quickly it develops
- your current state of health
In some cases, people experience no symptoms.
Here are 10 signs and symptoms of iron deficiency, starting with the most common.
4 ).
This fatigue happens because your body lacks the iron it needs to make a protein called hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen around the body.
6 ).
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Is Beetroot Good For Heart Problems
Beetroot juice is one of the richest dietary sources of nitrates, which help improve blood flow and heart health. As such, the nitrates in beet juice may help improve blood flow and exercise ability in patients with heart failure.
What Are The Symptoms Of Anemia
The symptoms of anemia are caused by an abnormally low number of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells contain the protein hemoglobin, which is vital to carrying oxygen to the bodys cells. Many symptoms of anemia are due to a general lack of oxygen that is available to the cells.
Your symptoms may also be caused by low blood pressure , which is due to reduced blood volume. Blood volume will be low if anemia develops quickly, as in blood loss from hemorrhage.
Symptoms of anemia can be mild to severe and vary depending on the underlying cause.
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Why Do I Need The Hgb Test
The Hgb test uses a sample of your blood to determine hemoglobin levels.
To take a sample, your healthcare provider extracts blood from a vein by pricking your finger or inserting a needle with an attached tube into the crease of your arm. The sample is then stored in the tube to be analyzed later at a lab.
The needle may cause brief discomfort, but the insertion usually lasts less than a minute. If youre sensitive to getting blood drawn or the sight of blood, have someone come with you and let your provider know.
The Hgb test may be ordered as part of a complete blood count test. A CBC test also measures other important components of your blood, such as white blood cells and platelets. Abnormal levels of any of these cells can indicate underlying conditions or blood disorders.
Here are a few other reasons your doctor may order an Hgb test:
- You have parents or other family members who have blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia.
- You have an infection.
- You dont have enough iron in your diet.
- Youve lost a lot of blood after surgery or a traumatic injury.
- Youre pregnant.
- You have a medical condition that can affect your Hgb levels.
You dont need to fast for the Hgb test specifically. You may need to fast avoiding food or liquids with calories for about 12 hours if your doctor plans to test the chemistry of your blood at the same time. You should drink plenty of water, however.
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- headache
- trouble with physical activity
Possible causes of low Hgb include:
Unusually Pale Complexion And Nails
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. A healthy complexion has a glow, which is due to the capillaries under the skin that lend a pink touch.
With anemia, those capillaries lose red blood cells or function inefficiently and dont have the natural pink tint. The skin may even take on a yellowish tone.
Therefore, pale skin is a common sign of anemia. It can be all over the body or limited to one area, such as the face, gums, or inside the lips or lower eyelids.
Likewise, fingernails that are all-white, yellowish, or thin may indicate anemia. Other signs can be abnormalities such as upwardly or inwardly curved nails, raised ridges, and brittleness. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and will likely perform tests.
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Homeostasis As A Mechanism And A State
In the rain example above, we described homeostasis as a mechanism, or the way that your body reacts to a stimulus in order to achieve equilibrium. There are many different examples of homeostasis as a mechanism. Another good one is a fluid balance. Your body always wants to keep enough fluids on hand to keep all of your organs and processes running smoothly, but it will expel more fluids through waste when you drink more water in order to maintain healthy fluid levels. This is also important to asthma as dehydration can negatively impact your respiratory status, the mechanism by which your body senses how much fluid you have consumed, reacts to that, and then stops reacting once you have expelled enough, is an example of homeostasis as a mechanism.
However, theres a big caveat that throws off the what is homeostasis question. The term homeostasis can also be used as a state to refer to the equilibrium that your body is trying to achieve through the mechanisms discussed above. Homeostasis is the place your body wants to be; its 98.6, fully hydrated, well nourished, and with all of the right vitamins and nutrients.
How Can Anemia Affect A Person With Asthma
When someone has anemia, they do not have enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells. It is very common for someone with anemia to be short of breath.
Shortness of Breath
Asthma flare-ups can also cause shortness of breath for a different reason. When an asthma attack occurs, it leads to swelling and narrowing of the airways, which makes it hard to get air in.
Unable to Intake Proper Oxygen
A person with both asthma and anemia can have trouble getting air in, and when they do, there are not enough cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. This combination makes breathing even more problematic.
Susceptible to Infection
Anemia due to low iron levels may also affect a person with asthma in another way. Anemia is linked to an increase of infections in children. Low iron levels adversely affect the immune system, which makes someone susceptible to infections. Increased respiratory infections are often a trigger leading to a flare-up of asthma symptoms.
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Secondary Analyses: Age 1219
As a secondary analysis of the data available in NHANES, we examined the above relationships in adolescent females age 1219. We found a significant, positive relationships between sTfR and asthma attack and sTfR-F Index and asthma attack , consistent with the results in adult females . We did not observe any relationships between ferritin and asthma outcomes among adolescent females. However, it is important to note that the distribution of ferritin was lower in this younger age group than in the adult female population, as only 6.4% of adolescent females had a ferritin greater than 76 ng/ml, the level found to be protective in the adult population. Furthermore, sample size in adolescents was roughly one third that of adults , so that statistical power was lower in the adolescent analyses than the adult women analyses. We did not find meaningful relationships between any of the iron indices and lung function in these analyses restricted to adolescent females .
What Does The Research Say
The research indicates anemia was more common in asthmatic children than non-asthmatic children1, that there is a positive correlation between higher hemoglobin and better lung function results in children2, and that, in women, higher stored iron in the body decreased current asthma symptoms, and lower circulating iron and higher tissue iron need was correlated with lower lung function.3
The final pediatric study states, From the data of this study it can be concluded that incidence of iron deficiency anemia is not uncommon in pediatric patients with bronchial asthma. and Further studies are needed to assess the relationship between severity of asthma and the degree of anemia…4
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What Other Tests May Be Done In Addition To Hemoglobin
A hemoglobin test can indicate if there is a problem with red blood cell production and/or lifespan, but it cannot determine the underlying cause. In addition to the full CBC, some other tests that may be performed at the same time or as follow up to establish a cause include a blood smear, reticulocyte count, iron studies, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and in more severe conditions, a bone marrow examination.
What Is Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition in which the quality of hemoglobin is defective. This condition can cause abnormal hemoglobin that can result in abnormally-shaped red blood cells . These abnormal red blood cells cannot easily pass through small blood vessels leading to inadequate oxygen for the tissues of the body.
Sickle cells also have a shorter life span than normal red blood cells . This rapid turnover may result in the inadequate time to replace the red blood cells and may result in anemia.
In sickle cell anemia, one defective hemoglobin gene is inherited from each parent. If only one gene is inherited from one parent, then the condition is milder and referred to as sickle cell trait.
Symptoms of sickle cell anemia vary depending on its severity. Patients with sickle cell trait may experience mild if any, symptoms at all. In sickle cell disease, symptoms are more significant, especially in episodes of acute crisis. These symptoms can include:
- generalized body aches and pain,
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At The Specialist Asthma Clinic
If youre taking your asthma medicines exactly as prescribed and using the right inhaler technique, but youre still getting symptoms, your GP or asthma nurse may refer you to a specialist asthma clinic.;It may take some time before you get an appointment, so youll still have to manage your condition through your GP until then.;
At the clinic they will try to work out whats going on by answering these questions:
- Is the type of asthma you have difficult to control asthma?
- Is the type of asthma you have severe asthma?
- Is there another reason why youre getting your asthma symptoms?
You might have had tests to diagnose and monitor your asthma already, but to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of severe asthma you may need some extra tests.
You probably wont need all these tests, though. Your asthma specialist will explain which ones you need and why.
Everyone with asthma is different so the tests youll need will depend on your individual asthma symptoms, medical history, family history and any other conditions you have, says Asthma UKs in-house GP Dr Andy Whittamore.
And because your asthma symptoms can vary over time, you may need to have these tests more than once to help your asthma specialist make the right diagnosis.