Anemia Flashcards
What is the most common blood disorder? What percentage of the global population are affected?
Anemia.
Around 30%.
Anemia is a deficiency in what?
RBC or Hb
What is the etiology of anemia? 3 things.
- Defective erythropoesis
- Increased hemolysis
- Blood loss
What is the pathophysiology of anemia?
Abnormal #, structure or function of RBC –> decreased 02 carrying capacity –> hypoxia
What is the underlying cause for all manifestations?
Systemic hypoxia
What are the moderate mnfts for anemia?
Chronic fatigue, palpitations, dyspnea
What are the severe mnfts for anemia?
Chronic exhaustion, ^^ palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness, headaches, sensitivity to the cold
What is one of the main complications that can be caused by anemia? Why?
Acidosis
The systemic hypoxia will cause anaerobic metabolism to occur, therefore lactic acid builds up, therefore acidosis
What are the 7 Types we discuss of anemia?
- Iron deficiency Anemia
- Vit B12 and Folic acid Deficiency
- Pernicious Anemia
- Aplastic Anemia
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Hemorrhagic Anemia
- Sickle Cell Anemia
Explain Iron deficient anemia:
- What is the importance of Fe?
- What causes it?
- Why is CBC not the blood test choice?
- Tx?
- 02 binds to iron
- inadequate intake or increased losses of Fe
- Because normal # of RBC and Hb, it is an abnormal structure of Hb
- treat underlying cause, PO Fe 4-6 months
What is the importance of Vit B12 & Folic acid?
Involved in cell division and DNA synthesis
If there is not adequate levels of Vit B12 or Folic acid, what occurs?
Impaired RBC, WBC, platelets
Vit B12 & Folic acid Deficiency causes anemia and what 2 other problems?
- Problems with Immune Response
2. Problems with coagulation
What is the treatment for Vit B12 & Folic acid Deficiency?
- Vit B12
2. Folic acid
Describe the process of Pernicious Anemia.
Damage gastric mucosa –> no intrinsic factor –> poor or no B12 absorption
What is the importance of intrinsic factor?
For B12 to absorbed.
What is the treatment for Pernicious anemia?
HIGH dose of B12, so that it can be passively absorbed without the intrinsic factor!
- Can be IM if neuro symptoms are present.
Aplastic anemia occurs when?
Bone marrow failure –> not producing enough cells
Do the cells in aplastic anemia have the required components?
Yes. The RBC would have heme, globin, and Fe. The problem is there is not enough of them.