Anemia Flashcards
Anemia
Is a secondary disease resulting from some underlying diseases
Anemia is characterized by
Decreased hemoglobin and red blood cell levels
1) decreased oxygenation
2) decreased fluid volume
Nutritional anemia’s
- iron deficiency
• important in making RBC - vitamin B-12 deficiency
• plays essential role in RBC formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and production of DNA - folic acid deficiency
• helps make healthy RBC
Non- Nutritional anemia’s
- chronic blood loss
- chronic disease
- treatment related
- aplastic anemia
• body stops producing enough new blood cells
• develops as a result of bone marrow damage
Causes of nutritional anemia’s
1) poor nutritional intake
2) poor absorption of nutrients
3) poor utilization of nutrients by cells
General symptoms of anemia
- weakness
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- pollar
- orthostatic hypotension
- tachycardia
- palpitations
- dehydration
- tinnitus
- headache
- dizziness
Iron definitely anemia symptoms
- koilinchyia
• spoon shaped fingernails - pica
• Craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value, such as ice, clay, soil, or paper - angular chelosis
• mouth ulcers
B-12 anemaia symptoms
- nerve damage ( parathesias)
- skin atrophy
Folic acid deficiency anemia symptoms
No definitive symptoms
Iron deficiency anemia
- usually occurs from blood loss
- may be caused by poor diet or being vegetarian if proper diet is not followed
- iron is stored in liver ( 3 months supply)
Pernicious anemia
B -12
- usually caused by poor diet or damage to gastric mucosa ( ulcers, alcoholism, cancer, surgery)
- intrinsic factor must be present for B-12 to be absorbed
HAVE TO GET TREATMENT
Folic acid deficiency anemia
- difficult to distinguish from other anemia symptoms
- often occurs concurrent with other forms
Treatment for anemia
1) treatment symptoms first
2) diagnose and treat underlying causes
Treating anemia symptoms
- provide supplemental oxygen
- transfusion therapy
- hydration therapy
- provide rest
- protect from injury ( orthostatic hypertension)
Treatment of anemia underlying causes
- stop bleeding if present
- replace necessary nutrients
- improve nutritional intake of required nutrients
• whole grains, organ meats, legumes, eggs, green leafy veggies, asparagus, etc)
