Anaemia Flashcards
Describe the Epidemiology of Anaemia
Common in both men and women.
Pregnant women at higher risk
Why are pregnant women at a higher risk of developing anaemia?
- Because of low levels of iron and folic acid and dilute blood, (Plasma increases faster than the number of RBC’s.)
What is the most common cause of anaemia?
Blood loss
What commonly causes anaemia in men?
Chronic occult bleeding, usually from the GI tract.
What happens when there isn’t enough Vitamin C in the body?
- Capillaries become fragile
- Haemolysis
- Bleeding
How does rapid growth in adolescents precede anaemia?
Because of the Increased iron requirement
Describe the stages of Iron deficiency
Stage 1: iron requirement exceeds intake, causing progressive depletion of bone marrow iron stores.
Stage 2: As stores decrease, absorption of dietary iron increases in compensation.
During later stages: deficiency impairs RBC synthesis, ultimately causing anaemia.
How does anaemia affect transportation of oxygen in the body?
Anaemia impairs the body’s ability for gas exchange by decreasing the number of RBCs transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What is anaemia?
A decrease in red blood cell (RBC).
What are some symptoms of anaemia?
Fatigue Weakness Dizziness Pallor Dyspnoea
What are some risk factors of anaemia?
- Vegan diet - B12 deficiency
- Alcoholism - folate deficiency
- Medication - may predispose to haemolysis
What commonly causes anaemia in pre-menopausal women?
Menstrual blood loss about 0.5 mg iron/day
What could mal-absorption conditions in the upper SI’s lead to?
Decreased iron absorption
How do chronic conditions such as cancer, rheumatic disorders, chronic inflammation encourage anaemia?
Because those conditions suppress bone marrow activity.
