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What Are the Causes of Macrocytic Anemia in War Veterans?

Many war veterans suffer psychological wounds during their military service. Upon their return to society, some develop post-traumatic stress disorder and look for ways to escape their troubled memories. Many turn to alcohol and develop alcohol disorders such as liver damage. Excessive alcohol intake also causes macrocytic non-megaloblastic anemia.

  1. Stress Wounds

    • An article in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder have an increased likelihood to suffer from an alcohol disorder, too. The article offers explanations such as inadequate training and preparation of the soldiers for the stresses they encounter at war. Other factors include the stress of having to transition between military and civilian life upon return from the service, particularly because a military group acts with such unity when abroad. The article states that support services are reduced when soldiers return from service.

    Excessive Alcohol Intake

    • Excessive alcohol intake appears to be a form of self-medication to combat the residual stress from war. Alcohol stimulates areas in the brain such as the cortex, hippocampus and nucleus accumbens. These areas are responsible for thinking and happiness. Additionally, alcohol stimulates neurons to act in a way that causes body relaxation. As a result, some of the effects of alcohol are happiness and relaxation, which help veterans escape from the stresses of life.

    Macrocytic Anemia

    • Anemia is a condition in which blood has an insufficient amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body. This causes symptoms such as weakness and tiredness. Macrocytic anemia forms red blood cells that are larger than normal. The consequence is an insufficient number of red blood cells, and their concentration of hemoglobin is too low. Macrocytic anemia can be divided into megaloblastic and non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia.

    Non-Megaloblastic Macrocytic Anemia

    • People suffering from chronic alcoholism produce large red blood cells that are round rather than the normal biconcave shape. They are round because alcohol has a toxic effect on bone marrow, which is where red blood cells form. Alternatively, people who lost significant volumes of blood from trauma wounds often have macrocytic anemia for a short while. This is because bone marrow, in an effort to replace the blood loss, makes red blood cells that are initially large and appear macrocytic.

    Megaloblastic Macrocytic Anemia

    • Megaloblastic macrocytic anemia is caused by a nutritional deficiency of vitamin B-12 or folate, which is needed for the synthesis of DNA. Without enough DNA, red blood cells continue growing and become macrocytic. Folate is found particularly in leafy vegetables such as spinach, and vitamin B-12 is in foods originating from animals, such as meat and fish. Deficiency of vitamin B-12 causes nerve problems, including numbness and tingling in the extremities.

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