The Wilmington morning star., 1946-10-14
Doctor Says
STOMACH TROUBLE
PRODUCES ANENJA
BY WILLIAM A. O'BRIEN. NJ -

ny VAAAAAnMA "A. DHAEN, Nj. n,
Pernicious anemia affects III.
stomach, blood, brain, and spinal
cord.
The object of treatment for mi,
condition is to maintain the bloos
in a normal state and to contro1
the development Of complication,
in the brain and spinal cord. (rb.
stomach is not affected by treat
ment).
1t is most likely that the absenc.
Of hydrochloric acid in the ston,.
ach secretions is the fore-runne,
of pernicious anemia, for the di,.
ease never develops in a person
whose stomach is normal.
The insidious onset of perniciou,
anemia is due, in many cases IN
the fact that stomach symptom,
are absent. Digestive COMPLAINS
are present in the beginning IN
only one-third of pernicious anemj.
cases.
Tongue Gives Warning
Burning and soreness OF m.
tongue may be the first warnins
sign. AS the disease progressed
the stomach lining becomes thin
and fails to function properly. Gas.
Gus disturbances, diarrhea, and
constipation also are common con-.
plants.
Normally, the stomach juices
contain a substance which reacts
with the food to form a stimulant
for the bone marrow. This blood
stimulant, which is stored in
largest amounts in the liver, i,
distributed to the bone marrow
through the blood. In its absence
the bone marrow fails to make
enough red blood, and anemia re.
suits.
Patients with pernicious anemia
are seldom under 80 years of age,
the majority being from 40 to 60.
Both sexes are equally affected.
Blue-eyed persons whose hair
turns gray prematurely and who
have broad cheek-bones and heavy
skeletons seem to develop the
disease more readily than do
others.
One Of every five patients with
pernicious anemia has some rela.
tive also suffering from the dis.
ease.
Patients with pernicious anemia
must take injections of a bone.
marrow stimulant Oliver extract
continuously, as there is no other
way of supplying the lack in the
system. The amount of liver ex-
tract or other stimulant needed
varies with the individual case,
When patients neglect their
treatment, they have a tendency 10
relapse and get worse.
Affects Taste Sense
Brain and spinal-cord compli.
cations, DR.. r. Wayne Rundles
writes in the medical journal
Blood, result in loss of the sense
of taste for meat and eggs. Other
complaints r weakness and ten.
derness, shrinking of the muscles,
numbness, tingling, and sensations
Of cold which extend up the arms
and legs.
When the patient Is elderly, it
may be difficult to distinguish
changes incident to old age from
those due to p%ernicious anemia.
Loss of memory, lessened intel
lectual performance, and mental
confusion result from anemia as
well as from the aging process.
When sufficient liver extract is
given, brain and spina[cord
symptoms often disappear. The
most rapid progress will occur in
the first four to six months; hope
for recovery beyond this point de-
ponds upon the extent of the dam
age to the brain and spinal cord.
Question: My husband dreams
at night. During these dreams
his hands and feet move, and he
jumps up and yells. What can we
do to stop this?
Answer: Your husbands dreams
may be the result of excessive
mental activity before retiring
Encourage him to spend his even
ings quietly and to forego food Or
drink after the evening meal.