Blood disorders Flashcards
What is the Romanowsky stain?
Can be used for blood,
Nuclei (Acidic things) is stained blue/purple with methylblue while the cytoplasm (proteins) is counterstained pink with eosin.
What is anaemia?
A reduced haemoglobin concentration in the blood, reducing the oxygen carrying capacity.
How common is anaemia?
it affects 10% of women and 2-5% of men
Different causes/ classifications?
Usually low haehatocrit
May or may not cause low RBC count
May cause pale small RBCs
Common Causes of anaemia?
Acute bleeding (trauma or surgery)
Chronic bleeding (GI, heavy menstruation)
Iron deficiency (dietary, malabsorption, pregnancy)
Folate (B9)/Vitamin B12 deficiency (dietary , malabsorption)
Premature destruction of RBCs (haemolysis e.g sickle cell)
Signs and symptoms of anaemia
Pallor, fatigue, tachycardia
Eyes: Yellowing eyes central: Fatigue, dizziness, fainting Skin: Pale, cold, yellowing skin Muscular weakness Low Blood pressure, Heart: Chest pain, Angina, Heart attack, Palpitations, rapid heart rate. Spleen enlargement Changed stool colour
Diagnosis of anaemia
- Full blood count (Haemaglobin concentration <120 g/l = anaemia women, <130g/l = anaemia men)
Sometimes serum ferritin is also measured
How does Acute bleeding cause anaemia?
Causes a Low RBC count, of normal size and colour
How does Chronic Bleeding cause anaemia?
Depends on the resulting deficiencies
How does Iron deficiency cause anaemia?
Normal RBC count, but small pale RBCs
How does Folate/B12 deficiency cause anaemia?
Normal/low RBC count and large RBCs
How does haemolysis cause anaemia?
Low RBC count, normal size and colour
Anaemia treatments
Depends on cause
- stop/address bleeding
- Iron/B12/Folate rich foods/ supplements or injections
- Blood transfusion
- Prognosis depends on cause
