Diseases of the blood Flashcards
What are the four main components of blood
Plasma
WBC’s
RBC’s
Platelets
What makes up plasma
Proteins
ions
water
nutrients
wasres
gases
What do these mean:
Leuko
Erythro
Thrombocyto
Pan / poly
Leuko – white blood cell
Erythro – red blood cell
Thrombocyto – platelet
Pan / poly – all blood cells
What indicates excess of
Cytosis
What does the ending penia mean
Lack of
How can cell sizes be written
Microcytic – small cell size
Normocytic - normal cell size
Macrocytic – large cell size
What is the purpose of blood
Transportation (oxygen from lungs to tissues, hormones, nutrients, waste to liver and kidneys)
Clotting (more in Coagulation lecture)
Immune (B cells, T cells…)
Temperature regulation
What are the two origin sites of blood cells
Myeloid
Lymphoid
What is the life span of rbc
120 days
What is anaemia
Low haemoglobin in the blood
How many haem molecules does each RBC have
270 million
What are the causes of anaemia
Impaired production
Increased breakdown (haemolysis)
Increased demand
Increased blood loss
What causes impaired production anaemia
Issue with the marrow:
-Congenital aplasia
-Medication side effects
Lack of EPO
-Severe CKD
Lack of “raw materials”
-Iron
-Vitamin B12
-Folic acid
How does haemolysis cause anaemia
Issue with the RBC
-G6PD deficiency
-Hereditary spherocytosis
Issue with haemoglobin
-Thalassaemia
-Sickle cell disease
Immune driven
-Autoimmune haemolysis
What causes increased demand leading to anaemia
Pregnancy
Growth phases (children)
Why can acute bleeding , menstrual bleeding and gastrointestinal losses (cancer) all cause anaemia
increased blood loss
What are symptoms of anaemia
Tiredness
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Palpitations (angina if severe)
What are visual indicators of anaemia
Pale skin
Conjunctival pallor
What classical signs of anaemis can we see as dentists
Angular cheilitis
Koilonchyia (spoon shaped nails-iron deficiency)
What subsequent deficiencies can anaemia cause
Iron
Folate
Vit B12
What are the causes of iron deficiency anaemia
Reduced dietary intake
Impaired absorption – in duodenum
Increased loss – menstrual, GI bleeding etc.
Increased demands – pregnancy, growth
What can cause reduced iron absorption
Inflammation in duodenum
-Coeliac disease**
Lack of stomach acid
-Proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole)
Where is the main site of iron absorption
Duodenum
What causes a Vit B12 deficiency
Reduced intake
Impaired absorption
Medication side effect (metformin)