ANAEMIA

Question 1

What is Anaemia?

Answer 1

A low haemoglobin concentration due to either low RBC mass or increased plasma volume

Question 2

What causes Anaemia?

Answer 2

The body not having enough RBC due to a lack of production, loss of cells via bleeding or cell destruction by the body

Question 3

What is Microcytotic anaemia?

Name some examples

Answer 3

RBC are smaller than normal

Examples: IDA, Thalassaemia, Sideroblastic Anaemia

Question 4

What is Normocytic Anaemia? Name some examples

Answer 4

Normal RBC shape but low in number

Examples: anaemia of chronic disease, aplastic anaemia

causes: hypothyroidism, Pregnancy, Renal Failure, Haemolysis, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question 5

What is Macrocytic Anaemia? Name the types and examples

Answer 5

Larger RBC than normal

Two types: megaloblastic (error in RBC DNA) and non-megaloblastic

Example of Megaloblastic: B12 or Folate deficiency

Example of Non-megaloblastic: alcoholism, liver disease, hypothyroidism

Question 6

What is Haemolytic Anaemia? Name the types and examples?

Answer 6

Destruction of RBC outpaces production

Intrinsic: inside the blood vessels
Extrinsic: occurs outside the blood vessels

Examples of Intrinsic: sickle cell anaemia or Thalassamia

Examples of Extrinsic: Leukemia, Lymphoma, Autoimmune Disorders, Infection

Question 7

What are the symptoms of anaemia?

Answer 7

Fatigue
Dyspnoea
Faintness
Headaches
Anorexia

Question 8

What signs are seen in Anaemia?

Answer 8

Pallor
Tachycardia
Cold hands and feet