Pernicious anemia is a condition where there is reduced red blood cell (RBC) production in the bone marrow due to lack of sufficient Vitamin B 12. Pernicious anemia occurs when the body is unable to absorb Vitamin B12. This is due to lack of an ‘intrinsic factor’ (IF), a protein which helps in absorbing Vitamin B12 from the alimentary system.

Who gets Pernicious anemia?
Most commonly in
- Women more than men.
- Elderly (average age ≥ 60 years).
- Scandinavians & North Europeans
- Occasionally one type of the disorder is seen in children.

How does Pernicious anemia occur?
Vitamin B12 is very essential for
- Production of red blood cells
- Growth and development of children
- Maintenance of the nervous system

The human body cannot prepare Vitamin B12. The Vitamin B12 obtained from foods is absorbed in the alimentary system. Without the intrinsic factor produced by the inner lining of the stomach, it is impossible for the body to absorb any Vitamin B12. Cells called ‘parietal cells’ present in the stomach (gastric) mucosa produce the intrinsic factor. Thus, loss of these parietal cells over a prolonged period of time inevitably causes Vitamin B12 deficiency and malabsorption anemia.

Symptoms of Pernicious anemia:
The symptoms appear very gradually with prolonged deficiency of Vitamin B12. Occasionally symptoms of nerve disorder and mental changes occur much before the laboratory changes of anemia are observed. This happens more often in elderly individuals.

Some common symptoms are:
Getting tired very easily.Feeling weak alwaysTongue appears smooth, shiny, bright red and clean.Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet

Homeopathic treatment
Use of Vitamin B12  is a part of homeopathic treatment. That apart, homeopathic medicines can act as efficient immune-modulators. Auto-antibody production against the intrinsic factor and subsequent destruction of the parietal cells can be prevented by homeopathic medications. Homeopathic medicines target at the factors leading to pernicious anemia. Homeopathic treatment is recommended for Pernicious anemia.